Computer scientists at Carnegie Mellon University developed a model of a distributed car control system and used mathematical methods to formally verify its safety. They proved that the system design would keep cars from crashing into each other, even for complex scenarios like merging across multi-lane highways.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde have identified a heretofore unrecognised pathway regulating calcium activity within blood vessel smooth muscle cells. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for hypertension by targeting the constriction and dilation of blood vessels.
Returnee migrants are exposed to health risks due to cumulative factors of the migration process. Policies should facilitate access to healthcare services and continuity of care across borders to improve their health outcomes.
A new study has reduced the threat level for caribou in Alberta's oilsands country by revealing that their survival isn't as threatened as previously thought. The researchers found that it is not merely the presence of roads and cut lines, but the intensity of human activity such as noise levels that has the biggest effect on the animals.
Research from International Broadcasting Trust and University of East Anglia reveals UK television left audiences unprepared for Arab Spring. The study finds that North Africa and Middle East received just 5% of international non-news factual coverage in 2010, with Libya and Yemen receiving little or no coverage.
NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder captured a weakened Tropical Depression 06W with scattered convection and decreased winds. The storm is expected to barely maintain tropical depression strength before making landfall near Hainan Island, China.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have directly observed the magnetic moment of a single proton, a crucial step forward in understanding the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance. This achievement opens the way for high-precision measurements of the proton and anti-proton's magnetic moments.
Hurricane Beatriz developed an eye that opened on microwave imagery but closed on visible imagery, appearing to give satellites a 'wink' as it brought heavy rains and high surf to the southwestern Mexican coast. The storm strengthened into a hurricane by June 20 night and made landfall near Manzanillo, Mexico.
Cervical ripening in preterm and term births has distinct processes, with preterm ripening caused by inflammation-induced changes and not an acceleration of the physiologic process. The study aims to determine effective therapies for each cause of preterm birth.
The University of Arizona College of Engineering has been awarded grants from the US Department of Defense to develop high-tech measuring equipment for real-world applications in chemical and civil engineering. Armin Sorooshian's project aims to study cloud droplets and their effect on precipitation, while Jennifer Duan's project focus...
Scientists at The University of Nottingham have discovered a synthetic chemical compound that reduces MS severity by inhibiting pro-inflammatory signals while stimulating interferon-beta production. The findings highlight a potential new mechanism for treating the chronic inflammatory disease, which affects over 100,000 people in the UK.
Researchers from the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Florida have discovered a bone fragment with an incised image of a proboscidean, dated to around 13,000 years old. The engraving is significant as it provides evidence that people in the Americas during the last Ice Age created artistic images of animals they hunted.
The University of Missouri has secured a $5 million grant from the Coulter Foundation to support collaborative projects between biomedical engineers and clinicians. The funding will enable researchers to take their discoveries to clinical practice, with the goal of improving patient lives and suffering worldwide.
The prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in the US has increased significantly over the past two decades, with a 34% rise from 1988-1994 to 2005-2008. The estimated numbers of persons with DKD have also increased, from 3.9 million in 1988-1994 to 6.9 million in 2005-2008.
Research by UMass Chan Medical School shows that the human retina protein CRY2 can function as a light-sensitive magnetic sensor in Drosophila. This finding may pave the way for further investigation into human magnetoreception and its potential applications.
Research funded by USDA suggests that blueberry polyphenols, found in blueberries' powerful antioxidant compounds, may aid in building strong bones. The investigation showed that animals fed rations containing 10% freeze-dried blueberry powder had significantly more bone mass than their counterparts.
Despite better glucose, lipid and blood pressure control, diabetic kidney disease continues to increase in prevalence. Tight control of blood sugar levels did not lead to significant improvements in kidney function, suggesting additional interventions are needed to prevent the disease.
A team of scientists has discovered that marine plankton, specifically coccolithophores, employ a similar pH-regulation mechanism as vertebrate cells to combat ocean acidification. The armour scales formed by these phytoplankton are found to be dependent on external pH levels.
Researchers develop protocol using existing technology to measure and manipulate magnetic spin of electrons for spintronics applications. This breakthrough aims to overcome limitations of conventional computing devices, such as power consumption and data loss.
A study by Concordia University researchers found that Asian-Canadian and French-Canadian preschoolers tend to interact more with children of their own ethnic group. The children were observed to be more competitive when playing with peers of the same ethnicity.
A comprehensive review of resveratrol studies found the polyphenol compound has anti-aging, anti-carcinogenic, and antioxidant properties. However, more research is needed to fully understand its benefits on human health.
A study of nearly 14,000 patients with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis found that certain disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The findings suggest a possible role for immunosuppression in preventing diabetes among patients with systemic inflammatory disorders.
Despite progress in vaccine distribution for childhood killer diseases, global efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are lagging, argue researchers. NTDs, which affect the world's poorest, require more R&D funding and investment to develop effective vaccines.
The foundation awarded Clinical Investigator Awards to nine early-career physician-scientists conducting patient-oriented cancer research at major centers. The recipients will receive $450,000 each over three years, while Continuation Grants will provide an additional two years of funding totaling $300,000.
The editorial highlights the lack of knowledge on human trafficking's scale and health implications, leading to inadequate protection systems and poor healthcare for trafficked persons. Many countries fail to meet their responsibilities towards Palermo Protocols, leaving victims without necessary support.
A meta-analysis of 32,752 participants found that intensive-dose statin therapy was associated with a higher incidence of new-onset diabetes compared to moderate-dose therapy. In contrast, intensive statin therapy reduced the number of major cardiovascular events.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital found that cells protecting blood vessels work better in patients undergoing nighttime home dialysis than those on standard hospital dialysis. This suggests that frequent nighttime dialysis might be beneficial for some patients with blood vessel damage, improving overall health outcomes.
Couples who plan for changes in lifestyle and health experience better retirement outcomes. Research by Angela Curl found that wives' ratings of their health improved over time, while husbands' ratings worsened with age. Staying engaged through part-time work can also promote better health.
A team of scientists used induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with inherited ALS to reveal how reduced VAPB protein levels contribute to the disease. The study provides a novel in vitro model of ALS and offers an unprecedented opportunity to answer questions about the disease's pathogenesis.
A Baylor University study found that flexible schedules play a crucial role in retaining working mothers, with job security and adaptability also contributing to reduced turnover and work-related stress. The research surveyed 179 full-time working mothers, highlighting the importance of supporting their mental and physical health.
NJIT researchers Reginald C. Farrow and Zafer Iqbal developed a method to fabricate arrays of nanoscale electrical probes, which may lead to improved diagnostic tools for measuring biological cell activity. The patented technique allows for precise control over the location of individual nanotubes in an array.
A new study found that an unknown component of coffee interacts with caffeine to increase blood levels of a growth factor called GCSF, which fights off the Alzheimer's disease process. This boost is associated with improved memory and reduces the risk of cognitive decline.
DANA, a hybrid system developed by Aqwise and Westt B.V., treats industrial wastewater with lower costs and environmental footprint. The technology, facilitated by EUREKA's collaborative funding model, achieves significant financial savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has successfully completed its one-year exploration mission, providing unprecedented detail of the moon's surface and subsurface. The orbiter's instruments have captured over 192 terabytes of data, including the most precise topographic maps to date of the moon's complex landscape.
A team of scientists has uncovered a novel mechanism regulating gene expression and transcription linked to Spinocerebellar ataxia 7, an inherited neurological disorder. Non-coding RNA plays key role in neurological development and function.
A new study by Brigham Young University researchers found that married individuals have a 14 percent lower risk of colon cancer death compared to unmarried patients. Married patients were also diagnosed at earlier stages of the disease and received more aggressive treatment, contributing to improved survival odds.
Researchers found that angry user-generated comments can perpetuate negative perceptions of corporations during crises. Organizations should monitor and respond to online comments from victims to prevent reputation damage.
Researchers found that smoking during pregnancy is associated with lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in children. The study suggests that this could predispose them to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Children born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy had lower HDL cholesterol levels, wh...
The new technique uses barium oxide nanoparticles to adsorb moisture, initiating a water-based chemical reaction that oxidizes carbon deposits, keeping nickel electrode surfaces clean. This allows solid oxide fuel cells to be powered directly by coal gas at low temperatures, reducing carbon emissions and increasing efficiency.
A recent study by Oregon State University reveals that small companies in the US stock market are often disproportionately affected during international financial crises. Investors tend to flee from smaller stocks and shift their holdings towards larger, safer corporations, resulting in significant losses for smaller companies.
A USGS study found that native bee communities are shaped by local factors, such as soil type, tree density, and fire frequency, rather than the composition of a plant community. Specialist bees tend to live in open areas with native plants, particularly in disturbed habitats like burned areas and residential zones.
A study investigated the role of uncertainty in human associative learning, finding that people pay more attention to unfamiliar cues. The researchers discovered that when a cue's reliability is uncertain, it becomes more predictive and leads to faster learning.
A study found that only 11% of patients with STEMI receive primary PCI within 30 minutes, leading to delayed treatment and worse outcomes. Patients who received timely transfers were more likely to undergo primary PCI and had better door-to-balloon times.
Researchers evaluate the U.S. National Fire Plan's effectiveness in restoring western U.S. forests and its impact on native lizard populations, including the return of the eastern collared lizard to the Ozarks. The study also examines historical fire records and sediment cores to better understand the Arctic Tundra's fire regime.
A new study has found significant variations in privacy regulations across countries, driven by local context and institutional arrangements. The research suggests that events like 9/11 have had a lasting impact on privacy regulation, leading to common solutions at the European level.
A community cohort study in Hong Kong found more children than adults were infected with H1N1, but children were less likely to progress to severe disease. Serology studies like this one can help estimate rates of severe disease per infection for revised pandemic preparedness plans.
Researchers developed BeeSpace Navigator, a free online software that uses semantic indexing to extract gene information from academic papers. The tool allows biologists to create custom searches and filters to find specific data, making it easier to interpret gene function.
A new study reveals Lyme disease ticks are more adaptable to new habitats than previously thought. Researchers found that deer ticks and the Lyme disease bacteria they host thrive in forests, farms, and prairies of Central Illinois, with a high prevalence of infected ticks on prairie voles.
Purdue University scientist Kevin Keener's research suggests that rapidly cooling eggs can increase the activity of lysozyme, an enzyme that defends egg whites from bacteria. By re-saturating egg whites with carbon dioxide and altering pH levels, the technology aims to create a safer food product.
A study found that men diagnosed with prostate cancer who are also smokers have an increased risk of dying from prostate cancer, as well as all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. Smoking cessation after diagnosis did not significantly impact mortality risks compared to never-smokers.
Theoretical physicists propose a new method to create and detect anyons, exotic particles with continuously variable statistics. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient quantum computers.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health and University of California, San Francisco, found that men with prostate cancer who smoke are at higher risk of disease recurrence and mortality. Smoking was also associated with more aggressive disease at diagnosis.
Researchers found that patients with RA or psoriasis who were treated with TNF inhibitors or hydroxychloroquine had a lower risk of developing diabetes. The study suggests an association between these medications and reduced diabetes risk, but the cause is not yet known.
Brain cancer patients who exercise regularly live significantly longer than sedentary patients, with a median survival of 21.84 months compared to 13.03 months. The study provides evidence that exercise interventions may impact progression and survival beyond symptom relief.
The DARPA System F6 program has chosen SwRI's wireless communications solution to validate a fractionated spacecraft architecture. This approach replaces traditional spacecraft designs with individual nodes connected wirelessly to support mission goals.
Researchers at Virginia Tech discovered a way to speed up the flow and filtering of water or ions in fuel cells, improving their efficiency and power. By stretching the Nafion polymer electrolyte membrane, they increased its ability to selectively filter substances.
Using Archimedes' principle, MIT scientists have devised a method to measure the density of individual cells, which could provide biophysical insight into fundamental cellular processes. The new device rapidly exchanges fluids, allowing for rapid measurement and potentially screening potential cancer drugs.
Researchers at UC Riverside have made a breakthrough discovery in understanding epileptic seizures by developing a computational model that simulates the cortical network. The model shows that restricting chloride increase can lead to faster seizure termination and even make seizures impossible, offering new hope for treating epilepsy.
A Fulbright scholar is studying the ecological theory of Patagonian lakes in Argentina's Andean heights, focusing on nutrient chemistry and planktonic inhabitants. The research aims to establish a baseline for understanding lake nutrient supplies in 'ancestral,' pre-development conditions.