A mathematical analysis suggests that isolating terrorist network hubs is more effective than targeting the entire network. The study uses complex systems tools to analyze and model terrorist networks, finding that soft targets are not worth pursuing. Instead, focusing on the key hubs can lead to successful defeat.
Scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute link loss of Apc to DNA demethylase, a system that erases DNA methylation. This system stalls normal intestinal cell development, leading to stem cell-like cells. Inhibition of the demethylase restores normal development and provides new opportunities for colon cancer treatment.
A new study found that girls without a biological father are more likely to enter puberty at an earlier age, especially in higher-income households. The study suggests that familial and contextual factors play an important role in the onset of puberty.
The childhood obesity epidemic among children and teenagers in the US is growing at an alarming rate, tripling over the past 30 years. Effective weight management requires a multidisciplinary approach drawing from medical evidence, best practices, and innovative initiatives.
A computer model found a network of genes that can trigger TB's dormant state, switching it from fast-growing to slow-growing. The study reveals potential for a persistence switch that could explain why TB is so widespread and deadly.
A new report by World Vision highlights the need for direct healthcare investment in families and communities to tackle preventable child and maternal deaths. The organization calls on world leaders to prioritize these efforts to meet Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 targets.
Researchers reveal the structure of CENP-A, a molecule that plays a central role in DNA duplication and equal distribution into two daughter cells. The study provides insights into how CENP-A marks centromere location on each chromosome.
The Clean Energy Trust has received a $1 million grant to transfer research into clean-energy technologies and businesses. The trust will provide seed money, business training, awareness education, and sector-specific support to Illinois universities and science labs.
Researchers will investigate how climate change affects Great Lakes water quality, focusing on extreme weather events and their impact on nutrient, pesticide, and sediment levels. The study aims to develop strategies for watershed councils and government entities to reduce water quality impacts.
The study aims to find a difference in how a susceptible person responds to hydrocodone compared to a nonsusceptible one. The researchers hope to discover an indicator of susceptibility to dependence on painkillers like hydrocodone.
Researchers developed a special sequence of high-precision electromagnetic pulses to protect the arbitrary quantum state of a single spin. This breakthrough enables the use of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond as highly sensitive nanoscale magnetic sensors and potentially, qubits for larger-scale quantum information processing.
A new study found that the Alzheimer's drug donepezil enhances perceptual learning in healthy adults, particularly in tasks involving motion direction discrimination. The researchers tested 12 healthy adults and showed a significant improvement in performance after training under the influence of donepezil compared to a placebo.
Hurricane Julia has weakened to a Category 2 storm due to wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures. The storm is being pulled northwest by mid-level winds, causing its main convection to shift away from the center, resulting in weakening.
The amount of development aid to maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) doubled between 2003 and 2008, but its proportion relative to overall aid remained unchanged. The largest increases were made by the US, UK, EU, GAVI, and Global Fund, while others saw stagnation or fluctuations.
Research team isolates aerosol particles in near-pristine pre-industrial conditions, shedding light on cloud formation and precipitation. Organic compounds from plants are found to be a primary source of submicron particles, which can affect climate.
A new study found that taking a placebo improved symptoms in about one-third of women with low sexual arousal, with the most improvement occurring during the first four weeks. The key predictor of symptom change was an increase in satisfying sexual encounters, suggesting a need to investigate behavioral factors more closely.
A new University of Michigan study documents the impact of war on Palestinian and Israeli children's mental health. The research found that nearly half of Palestinian children between 11-14 reported witnessing violence, leading to significant increases in post-traumatic stress symptoms and aggressive behavior.
Scientists have used a new seismic method to investigate the collision process between India and Tibet, revealing a more pronounced boundary between rigid lithosphere and softer asthenosphere. The study provides insights into the processes involved in the collision and aims to reduce earthquake risk in the region.
A special issue of DNA and Cell Biology features undergraduate research projects that demonstrate the valuable contributions of young scientists. The studies showcase innovative approaches to bioluminescence testing, mutant gene mapping, telomerase regulation, and fruit fly metabolism.
Scientists at the University of Calgary found that available area is the most important factor driving flower diversity, with family traits coming in second. The study suggests that geography and morphology play a significant role in shaping biodiversity patterns.
Researchers created a comprehensive catalog of large craters on the moon to study the chaotic early days of the inner solar system. The analysis suggests that larger projectiles dominated the bombardment, ending around 3.8 billion years ago.
Research shows that artificial night lighting impacts dawn song in forest-breeding songbirds, causing them to sing earlier and females to lay eggs a day and half earlier. This can lead to lower-quality offspring, as females may mate with lesser males.
Simon Cocklin, Ph.D., wins the ProteOn XPR36 Giveaway Program for his novel research applications for surface plasmon resonance technology. He plans to use the system in his lab and make it available to other researchers at Drexel University.
New Caledonian crows use tools to extract wood-boring longhorn beetle larvae from burrows, providing a nutritious food source. The crows' tool use is energy-efficient and profitable, suggesting that unusual foraging opportunities have selected for their sophisticated behavior.
A new study argues that synthetic life sciences require a global regulator to detect pathogenic agents and ensure approved purposes for DNA sequences. However, current technology is insufficient to create an effective clearinghouse, highlighting the need for improved screening software and procedures.
Researchers isolated aerosol particles in near-pristine pre-industrial conditions, providing crucial clues about cloud formation and differences between natural and polluted environments. The finding could help understand global climate change and inform modeling of anthropogenic perturbations.
More than 100 marine scientists advocate for an integrated European network of long-term marine observatories to provide reliable data for sustainable use of seas. The network aims to reduce uncertainty about sea-level rise and its impact on coastal defences, saving millions annually.
Research shows early metabolic abnormalities due to poor diet and exercise may increase risk of asthma in children, regardless of body weight. The study implicates metabolic disorders directly in the development of asthma, suggesting a new way of viewing diet and lifestyle as risk factors.
Oregon State University researchers have successfully loaded biological molecules onto nanosprings, a nanostructure that maximizes surface area in microreactors. The findings may lead to new nanotech applications in pharmaceuticals, biological sensors, and biomedicine.
A University of Michigan study found Native Hawaiians are more likely to suffer early death, particularly among infants and young adults. The research highlights the need for renewed efforts to understand the causes of increased mortality among Native Hawaiians and other high-risk minority populations.
Researchers examine how silicic magma contributes to continental crust growth, the dynamics of the Tibetan Plateau's formation, and the nature of earthquakes in the Eastern Carpathians. New data suggest that continental delamination may be responsible for seismic activity in this region.
The TRMM satellite provided a 3-D image of Hurricane Igor's cloud heights and rainfall rates, revealing towering clouds and heavy rainfall. The image showed the eye was still distinct but the southwestern portion had eroded, with heavy rainfall falling at 2 inches per hour.
A recent study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that approximately 1% of patients who underwent total hip replacement surgery still developed deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism within 90 days. The researchers identified several co-morbidity factors that increased a patient's likelihood, including previou...
A breakthrough study by UCI researchers reveals the complex evolution of aging, development and fertility in sexually reproducing species like fruit flies. By analyzing their genomes, they found evidence of selective adaptation in over 500 genes linked to traits such as size, sexual maturation and life span.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a new class of phase-change materials, BEANs, that can switch between crystalline and amorphous states in nanoseconds. These nano-sized particles have the potential to revolutionize data storage and optical data storage technologies.
A study found that low socioeconomic status is associated with higher serum phosphate levels in patients with chronic kidney disease, regardless of race. This suggests that limited access to healthy food choices contributes to the racial disparity in kidney disease progression.
New research reveals tyrannosaur diversity, including smaller species and earlier ancestors, has significantly expanded our understanding. A comprehensive evolutionary tree shows the group's complexity, challenging popular perceptions of T. rex as a singular apex predator.
A rare saola was photographed for the first time in over a decade in Laos, shedding light on its critically endangered status. The species, found only in dense forests along the Lao/Vietnamese border, is one of the most threatened large mammals globally.
Researchers at UCLA have successfully controlled chemical reactions mechanically, enabling precise manipulation of molecular interactions. By applying mechanical stress to enzymes, they can influence specific steps in the reaction process, paving the way for new applications in medicine and beyond.
A series of essays examines the challenges in determining effective treatments, benefits and drawbacks for patients, as well as consumers' right to their genetic information. The articles discuss controversies surrounding direct-to-consumer tests, genetically customized drug treatments and biospecimen use.
The winners of the 2010 Science in Society Journalism Awards were announced, honoring outstanding investigative reporting on science and its impact on society. Susan Cohen and Christine Cosgrove won for their book
Karl strengthened into a hurricane as it moved across the Gulf of Mexico, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the region. The storm is forecast to make landfall in mainland Mexico late Friday or Friday night, with minimum central pressure at 983 millibars.
A new study reveals that fish shoals and krill swarms share a unique, irregular crystal-like shape across different locations. Researchers used multibeam sonar to record the three-dimensional structure of Antarctic krill swarms, finding a fixed surface area-to-volume ratio, similar to studies on fish from diverse locations.
The latest global under-5 mortality rates show significant declines in many regions, with reductions of at least 50% in most areas except sub-Saharan Africa, southern Asia, and Oceania. However, the planet is not on track to meet MDG4's goal of reducing child mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015.
A recent study found that opening a new line of communication about sex can have a positive effect on many women with low libidos. Fifty women were given a placebo instead of a drug treatment for low sexual arousal, and on average, one in three showed an overall improvement.
Scientists have discovered that Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV), an ancestor of HIV, is thousands of years old, challenging previous estimates. The research suggests SIV may be even older than a million years and has implications for understanding the origin of HIV.
Researchers at IRCM discover a protein called Gfi1b that regulates blood stem cell activity and mobilization, potentially accelerating the production of new blood cells. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and safer stem cell therapy for leukemia patients.
Researchers have improved alkali-vapor magnetometer measurements by maintaining spin polarization for over 60 seconds at room temperature, a two-orders-of-magnitude improvement. The technique involves coating the glass vapor cell with an antirelaxation coating to reduce magnetic fluctuations and collisions among atoms.
New research from CAMH and SickKids reveals that males with specific alterations of DNA on their X-chromosome are at high risk of developing Autism Spectrum Disorder. The study found mutations in the PTCHD1 gene, which may disrupt brain development and contribute to autism.
Economists Krislert Samphantharak and Robert M. Townsend introduce a framework that enables researchers to create detailed accounts for households based on corporate financial accounting principles. This approach allows for more accurate data collection and comparisons across households and regions.
A University of California, Riverside researcher is leading a $6.25 million grant to develop fuel cells that could replace batteries with up to 80% less weight and increase device life by five times.
A DASH-style diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, may help prevent kidney stones by increasing urinary volume and citrate levels. The study suggests that a DASH-style diet could be an effective way to reduce the risk of kidney stone recurrence.
A growing number of people are traveling to Tornado Alley for an experience beyond thrills, seeking unique encounters with nature's power and beauty. Most tourists, mostly middle-aged and educated, spend $3,000-$5,000 on a one-to-two week tour with experienced storm chasers.
A University of Michigan-led team identified a gene responsible for a devastating inherited kidney disorder using a new, faster genetic analysis technique. The success offers hope that scientists can speed the search for genes responsible for many rare diseases and test drugs to treat them.
Researchers found that fat-derived stem cells are safe to use in breast tissue reconstruction after mastectomy as long as there is no evidence of active cancer. The study suggests that dormant cancer cells are not sensitive to the growth signals sent by the stem cells.
A quick-dissolving vaginal film containing a powerful anti-HIV drug is being developed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh. The film could provide an alternative dosage form that releases the drug faster and more efficiently than existing gel formulations, potentially leading to better protection from HIV infection.
North Carolina State University has received a four-year, $3.5 million grant to explore using artificial intelligence as a learning tool in fourth- and fifth-grade science classrooms. The project includes creating CyberPads with AI-based software that supports interactive scientific modeling for topics such as electricity and landforms.
The COGNITO project, led by the University of Bristol, aims to develop computer systems that can understand and predict human behavior and activity. By using on-body sensor networks and advanced computer vision algorithms, researchers hope to create systems that can assist people in skilled assembly and manipulation tasks.
The Scripps Research Institute has been awarded a four-year, $5.1 million grant to develop nanopore strand sequencing, a rapid real-time technology that can sequence a person's DNA in 15 minutes with minimal sample preparation time. The goal is to make genome sequencing cost-efficient and routine medical care possible.
A new study published in the Journal of World Business found that developing countries may not gain more foreign direct investment by adopting major international economic treaties. In some cases, adoption can even hurt their economies. Developing countries with low innovation bases are particularly vulnerable to negative effects.