Researchers at TU Delft have discovered a way to break down harmful by-products in wood waste, enabling the production of biochemicals and biofuels without costly methods. This breakthrough paves the way for using wood waste as a sustainable raw material.
Scientists found nitryl chloride levels comparable to those in marine air near Boulder, Colo., indicating a global source of the pollutant. Chloride from coal burning and other non-coastal areas may contribute to smog formation.
African-American men have a higher incidence and death rate from prostate cancer, with the highest mortality rate of any racial or ethnic group. A new study found an inheritable genetic defect in the receptor for male hormone testosterone that may contribute to its development.
A University of Georgia study found that media exposure had no effect on correcting the misconception that Barack Obama was a Muslim during the 2008 presidential campaign. Approximately 20% of Americans believed this despite news stories and fact-checking efforts.
Scientists have identified a molecular master switch that catalyzes the transition of precursor cells to mature oligodendrocytes in the brain. The molecule miR-219 plays a crucial role in this process, which has implications for treating diseases such as multiple sclerosis and gliomas.
New studies reveal a 140% increase in ATV-related spine injuries among US children between 1997 and 2006. Additionally, multi-rider ATVs are associated with higher incidence of open fractures and primary limb amputations compared to single-rider vehicles.
A study by Hospital for Special Surgery found that Forteo can enhance tendon to bone healing, leading to better repair results. The researchers used a rat model to test the effects of Forteo on rotator cuff surgery and achieved promising results, including improved tissue organization and strength.
A University of Iowa study suggests a way to improve heart treatment by targeting key heart-related mechanisms with drugs that maintain the positive effects of calmodulin kinase II while reducing its negative effects. The findings aim to prevent unwanted calcium activity and related molecular problems that lead to cell overload and death.
Scientists have created a bandage that slowly releases nitric oxide, increasing blood flow in laboratory rats. The technology has potential applications for treating diabetic patients and preserving donated organs, suggesting improved outcomes in both conditions.
Scientists have developed a simple method to produce high-quality graphene on commercially available silicon carbide wafers. This breakthrough enables mass production of graphene, a material with unique electronic properties that could replace silicon in electronics devices.
Researchers at NC State University developed a new analytical method to process large amounts of information efficiently. The algorithm allows for targeted collection of relevant data, minimizing errors and reducing data storage needs.
A new study from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that gastric bypass surgery can increase the risk of developing kidney stones in patients. The researchers discovered significant changes in urine composition, including elevated oxalate levels and low citrate levels, which can lead to stone formation.
Three new studies presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons detail advances in back care and treatment options for specific back and spine conditions. Patients who seek treatment during the first six months of symptoms respond better to treatment, with surgery offering advantages over non-surgical treatment regardless o...
A recent NIH panel has questioned 'VBAC bans' and advocated for expanded delivery options for women. The panel suggests that a trial of labor is a reasonable option for many women with a prior cesarean delivery, citing success rates of nearly 75 percent.
Studies found that a five-minute stretch after play can help young players avoid throwing-arm pain and reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, reviewing and adhering to youth baseball throwing guidelines is crucial in preventing elbow injuries, including osteochondral lesions, which are common among pitchers.
The study found that comparing the genomes of an entire family increases accuracy, identifies rare genetic variants, and helps understand disease-linked genes. This approach has the potential to revolutionize genetic research, enabling scientists to diagnose and treat individual family members more effectively.
Researchers believe Salado pottery, created between 1275 and 1450, promotes fertility and cooperation, decreasing conflict among females and connecting different ethnic groups. The traditional movement allowed communities to stabilize in modern-day Arizona and New Mexico.
Researchers found that people who are confident in their judgments of how others perceive them tend to be accurate, while those who doubt themselves are less so. This 'calibration' enables individuals to make informed decisions and pursue the next step after a first impression.
Researchers sequenced Dr. James Lupski's genome to identify the gene responsible for his form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome, affecting nerves in limbs, hands, and feet. The discovery also found that a person carrying one recessive mutation is susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Research reveals that temporary hearing deprivation during childhood can cause persistent hearing deficits, similar to amblyopia. The auditory cortex's vulnerability to lack of stimulation during critical periods suggests a similar problem exists in the realm of hearing, leading to 'lazy ear.'
A new study found that strong period pain experienced in adolescence doubles a woman's risk of developing endometriosis. Early menstrual cycle characteristics, including age at menarche, also play a significant role in the development of the disease.
Researchers at Institute for Systems Biology use Complete Genomics' service to sequence a family's genomes and identify genetic variations linked to Miller syndrome. The study confirms the involvement of two genes, DHODH and DNAH5, in causing the disorder, providing valuable insights into its causes.
The Firearms Research Digest provides summaries of articles from social science, criminology, and public health journals on gun violence. The database aims to help law enforcement, policymakers, and the general public understand research findings on curbing gun crime.
Christopher Evans, a leading molecular biologist, has received the prestigious Arthur Steindler Award for his significant contributions to understanding musculoskeletal diseases. His innovative gene therapy work holds great promise as a new treatment option for managing rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
A naturally occurring plant hormone, cytokinins, has been found to increase cotton yields during drought conditions. Commercially produced cytokinins stimulate the growth of the main plant stem and branches, promoting cell division and growth.
Researchers have found that tumors can be treated with extreme heat or moderate heat using ultrasound techniques, showing promise for a new cancer therapy option. Hyperthermia has been shown to increase radiation damage and enhance chemotherapy treatments.
A study published in Intensive Care Medicine found that the AiDKlinik drug information system significantly reduces serious events resulting from drug interactions in ICU patients. The system, which includes over 64,000 drugs, helps physicians minimize adverse reactions by 43% and critical events like arrhythmia by up to 80%.
A new study found that lowering the platelet dosage in transfusions can help address frequent shortages in platelet supplies without increasing bleeding risks. The research involved 1,272 patients who received at least one transfusion and reported similar bleeding events regardless of the platelet dose used.
Researchers found that fulvestrant's anti-cancer effects are enhanced when cells express high levels of cytokeratins CK8 and CK18, structural proteins involved in estrogen regulation. The study suggests that testing for these proteins could help doctors decide whether fulvestrant should be prescribed to patients.
A new study found that joint replacement surgeries often fail to align patient and doctor expectations, resulting in higher dissatisfaction rates. The study suggests that educational interventions like preoperative classes can be used to improve dialogue between patients and surgeons.
The program has a 99% and 98% pass rate on national teaching exams, with graduates receiving valuable field experience at professional development school sites before graduation. K-State joins prestigious programs nationwide, including Michigan State and Arizona State University, in recognizing high-quality teacher education.
A study of 25,250 patients in Germany found that only half received correct cholesterol targets, with women being more likely to be incorrectly targeted. The researchers estimate that following guidelines could prevent 50-80 fewer heart attacks and deaths per 1000 patients over 10 years
A new study led by Alexander Kashlinsky at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center reveals that a collective motion dubbed the 'dark flow' persists to much greater distances -- as far as 2.5 billion light-years away.
Clinicians often miss vital symptoms and underestimate their severity in clinical trials, leading to under-reporting of adverse events. Patient self-reporting can enhance symptom and event data quality and give patients a voice in healthcare decision-making.
A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that e-prescribing significantly improves ambulatory medication safety. The research discovered a nearly seven-fold decrease in prescribing errors among doctors who adopted e-prescribing compared to those using traditional paper-based prescriptions.
Researchers found that bisphosphonate treatments can alter the material properties of bone, potentially affecting its mechanical integrity and contributing to atypical fractures. Long-term suppression of bone remodeling may lead to brittle bone prone to fractures.
Tropical Storm Hubert has strengthened into a low pressure system making landfall in eastern Madagascar with maximum sustained winds near 39 mph. The storm is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the capital city and surrounding areas.
Researchers at Uppsala University have made a breakthrough in understanding the genetic transformation of wild species into domestic chickens. The study reveals two significant selective sweeps, one affecting the TSHR gene and another involving the TBC1D1 gene, which are linked to changes in reproduction timing and glucose uptake in mu...
Researchers have found that a seaweed extract has an inhibitory effect on the growth of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cell lines. The extract also showed a significant pattern of activity in genes linked to apoptosis, or cell death, in lymphoma cells.
A study of GenY workers found they prioritize leisure, salary, and status, but not necessarily values related to helping others or making friends. In contrast, previous generations placed more emphasis on these aspects.
New research from Vanderbilt University reveals that our brains coordinate goal-directed and stimulus-driven attention when surprised. The inferior frontal junction plays a primary role in coordinating these two forms of attention, which may limit our conscious perception during unexpected events.
Researchers at UC Davis have found a strong association between cognitive deficits and decreased levels of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in patients with schizophrenia. The study suggests that targeting the GABA system may help address cognitive decline in the disorder.
A new study finds that nearly 60% of chest pain patients without prior heart disease have no significant coronary artery disease, highlighting the need for improved identification methods. The study suggests re-evaluating patient selection processes, including history taking and risk factor assessment.
A galaxy study confirms the validity of general relativity on a cosmic scale, with the existence of dark matter as the most likely explanation for observed phenomena. The study rules out alternative theories of gravity, including tensor-vector-scalar gravity and f(R), which fail to predict the observed galaxy clustering and distortion.
A team of physicists at the University of Innsbruck successfully demonstrates a quantum walk in trapped ions, with up to 23 steps. This process differs from classical random walks, allowing quantum particles to spread faster and potentially aiding in understanding natural phenomena like energy transport in plants.
Louis J. Soslowsky, a renowned orthopaedic surgeon and bioengineer, has been awarded the AAOS Kappa Delta Ann Doner Vaughan Award for his groundbreaking research on rotator cuff injuries. His studies using rat models have provided valuable insights into the etiology, pathogenesis, and repair response of these injuries.
University of Alabama scientists find that ampicillin enhances the normal function of torsinA protein in cells affected by dystonia and Parkinson's disease. The drug restored normal movement to mice and improved cellular protection against stress, leading to potential new treatments for these debilitating conditions.
A University of Minnesota study found that students' perceptions of the Earth's age significantly impact their acceptance of human evolution. The research suggests that educators can use this knowledge to improve education about evolution by targeting the concept of deep time.
Researchers found that microRNA-31 regulates the protein IFITM-1, which contributes to chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. Identifying this microRNA could lead to a therapeutic target for overcoming chemotherapy resistance.
A rare tropical cyclone system formed off Brazil's coast, exhibiting tropical storm-force winds before weakening and moving away from the area. The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite captured images of the system, which is now expected to be absorbed by a mid-latitude cold front in the next couple of days
A team of researchers has developed a way to get modern, multiple-processor computers to behave in predictable ways by automatically parceling sets of commands. This allows well-behaved programs to run faster than on single processors, while also reducing errors and improving overall system reliability.
A three-and-a-half-year study will enroll 400 patients to assess the safety of brain cooling in elderly stroke patients. The ICTuS 2 trial will use endovascular temperature modulation system and aims to improve outcomes after acute stroke.
A new study suggests that elective removal of ovaries during hysterectomy may not be beneficial and could even increase the risk of other health problems. The study analyzed data from over 300,000 women who underwent the procedure, finding a link between oophorectomy and increased risks of coronary artery disease and hip fractures.
A study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting found correlations between maternal and infant cobalt and chromium levels in patients with metal-on-metal hip implants. Elevated ion levels were detected in infants, suggesting the placenta modulates metal ion transfer to the fetus.
Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have discovered how the yellow-fever-transmitting Aedes aegypti mosquito detects the specific chemical structure of octenol, a compound emitted by mammals. The study shows that mosquitoes tap into the 'handedness' of molecules to detect this compound.
A clinical trial in rural Canadian communities found that immunizing children against seasonal influenza significantly protects unvaccinated individuals via herd immunity. The study, conducted among Hutterite youth aged 36 months to 15 years, showed a 61% effective rate of indirect protection.
A study published in Clinical Cancer Research found that obesity is a significant risk factor for poorer overall survival and death in patients with stage II or III colon cancer. Men with higher body mass indexes had a 35% increased risk of death compared to normal-weight patients.
Researchers used DNA barcoding to study the spread and diet of insect pests in Papua New Guinea. The study found that migratory patterns and caterpillar diets are very dynamic, with species showing surprising adaptability across vast distances.
Bruce Bukiet's mathematical model predicts the top-performing teams in Major League Baseball for the 2010 season. His predictions focus on the power and relevance of math, demonstrating how it applies to baseball, and are based on a more realistic runner advancement model.
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has selected Meredith Niles, Ryan Richards, and Leslie Smith to receive the 2010 AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award. The awardees will meet with their Congressional delegations and attend a briefing on the federal budget for scientific research.