Worcester Polytechnic Institute is leading a $7.4 million Army project to develop more durable and cost-effective alloys for military vehicles. The research will focus on designing lightweight alloys that can meet specific military needs, including strength, toughness, and fuel economy.
Researchers at UC San Diego have found that the health risks to pregnant women with a history of Kawasaki disease (KD) are low with proper management and care. The study, published in British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, also notes that the long-term risk for adults with KD is not known.
Margaret Cheung, a UH physicist, has been awarded the American Physical Society fellowship for her work on biophysics and its applications to cancer and Alzheimer's research. Her research focuses on understanding protein behavior in cells to develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Breast cancer patients with high vitamin D levels are twice as likely to survive the disease. Vitamin D receptors prevent tumor growth and expansion, leading to better survival rates in patients with high serum levels.
A recent study published in Developmental Science found that preschoolers (4-6 years old) can do basic algebra naturally, leveraging their Approximate Number System. The study used magic cups filled with objects to test children's ability to solve for a hidden variable.
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has selected six papers for the 2013 Cozzarelli Prize, honoring originality and excellence in scientific disciplines. The award recipients include studies on planetary formation, task-related 'cortical' bursting, and honey bee pathogen replication.
A new study published in Circulation reveals how changes in the organized cell membrane network of heart muscle leads to heart failure. Colchicine, a drug used for gout treatment, protects normal heart function by reducing microtubule density, while taxol accelerates damage during heart failure.
A novel approach integrating psychiatrists, psychologists, and telemedicine into primary care clinics significantly reduced psychiatric and general medical symptoms. The model has been shown to improve treatment outcomes and increase access to care for rural communities with limited mental health resources.
A recent perspective paper cautions about uncertainties in scientific evidence linking red and processed meat to increased cancer risk. The review discusses differences between animal studies and human data, suggesting that other foods may protect the gut from potential adverse effects of meat.
Researchers developed an algorithm to identify functional modules and relationships between metabolites, reactions, and enzymes in biochemical pathways. The tool enables life scientists to target their research efforts on critical groups most likely to improve our ability to understand and control important biological processes.
A new approach converts weak microwave signals into visible light for clean detection and reduces noise by a thousand times. This all-optical detection method is the first to achieve this at room temperature.
A new UC San Francisco study found that e-cigarettes are likely to be gateway devices for nicotine addiction among youth, opening up a new market for tobacco. The study of nearly 40,000 US teens discovered that e-cigarette use among middle and high school students doubled between 2011 and 2012.
Researchers found that a simple questionnaire predicting lung involvement improves patient outcomes in chronic graft-vs.-host disease. A score of 3 indicates shortness of breath at rest or requiring oxygen, associated with higher mortality. Early detection enables timely treatment to reduce symptoms and improve survival.
Sickle cell trait affects 3 million US citizens, with few aware of their status. Researchers call for improved communication of SCT results to primary care clinicians and genetic counseling on reproductive options
A team of computer scientists from Saarland University has developed a software system called Privada, which enables website owners to collect user data while protecting individual privacy. The system uses multi-party computation and perturbation to ensure that only trends in the aggregated statistic are preserved.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology SIT showcase security tools to protect manufacturing data from unauthorized access. The software application encrypts data as it emerges, ensuring only licensed actions are executed.
Bacterial community composition at two beaches shows distinct differences but also similarities, suggesting regional human impact variations. Higher bacterial diversity at one site indicates better ecological health and resiliency to sewage contamination.
A study by Florida State University researchers found that frequent Facebook use is associated with higher levels of disordered eating in college women. Women who received more comments and likes on their status updates reported the highest levels of disordered eating.
Researchers have applied innovative approaches to art analysis, including infrared imaging, thermography, and spectroscopy, to uncover the origins of paintings and detect forgeries. These non-destructive techniques have proven valuable in conserving priceless works of art.
Researchers at UCLA have made major improvements in computer processing using multiferroic magnetic materials, reducing wasted heat and increasing power efficiency by up to 1,000 times. This breakthrough could make future devices more energy-efficient than current technologies.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have used 3D scans to map the widespread fish disease enteric redmouth disease. The study reveals that the bacteria infects fish through their ultra-thin gills, providing a new understanding of the infection pathway and potential solutions.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet found that the MYC gene promotes neural cell differentiation rather than proliferation in intact neural tissue. This discovery may lead to new approaches for treating spinal cord injuries and promoting nerve cell growth.
A new study suggests that the enzyme Cbl-b could be a target for drugs used to treat allergic asthma and other autoimmune disorders. Mice lacking Cbl-b exhibited severe allergic asthma symptoms, highlighting its vital role in controlling immune response.
Researchers have identified a fovea-like region in dogs' retina with high cone density, similar to that of humans, and found it susceptible to genetic blinding diseases. This discovery has promising implications for translational research into human foveal and macular degenerative diseases.
Researchers used ultra-high-field MRI to identify abnormalities in the substantia nigra, a key region affected by Parkinson's disease. The study showed promising results for early detection and classification of the condition, with high sensitivity and specificity rates.
Researchers have identified a genetic cause for premature ovarian failure, finding that mutations in the STAG3 gene lead to infertility. The study analyzed samples from a consanguineous family and confirmed that the mutation affects both males and females, making it a strong candidate for male infertility as well.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that biomarkers of neuronal injury in Alzheimer's disease decrease as symptoms of dementia appear, contrary to previous findings. This reversal suggests a slowing of cell death and may be an important criterion for assessing the success of treatment trials.
A study published in Science of the Total Environment found that over half of non-smoking pregnant women (55%) are passive smokers. Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and cognitive development issues. Researchers attributed this largely to their partners' smoking at home.
The Eskitis Institute is working with the Queensland Compound Library and Nature Bank to discover new natural compounds that could be developed into life-saving drugs. The collaboration has led to significant advancements in high-throughput screening of natural product fractions, resulting in the discovery of more useful compounds.
The study found that Lapita inhabitants of Vanuatu relied primarily on foraging for food, with a diet including reef fish, marine turtles, fruit bats, and domestic land animals. The analysis of nitrogen and carbon isotopes in human bones also suggests a diet rich in plants, but with significant amounts of protein from animal sources.
New algorithm assesses risks and determines safest locations for cloud data refuge, mitigating impacts of disasters on networks. Integrated wireless-optical system enables temporary emergency networks with high-speed wireless technology.
Researchers found blocking an inflammatory protein in mice prevents brain injury, but not premature birth. The anti-inflammatory drug halted brain damage without affecting birth timing.
A study published in Neurology found that patients with restless legs syndrome had a higher mortality rate than similar men, and were more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and hypertension. RLS screening may become more common as a tool for primary care providers to identify patients at risk of serious disease.
Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute developed a new optomechanical method that achieves extreme precision in measuring radio waves by avoiding noise with laser light. The detector can operate at room temperature, reducing the need for expensive cooling measures.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have created a 3D image of the structure beneath Sierra Negra volcano, shedding light on the subterranean plumbing system that feeds the Galápagos volcanoes. This new understanding may help predict earthquakes and eruptions, mitigating hazards associated with them.
A new study found that patients have a 'right to know' but not a 'duty to know' their cancer diagnosis. This means doctors face a difficult task in ascertaining how much detail the individual patient wants at any one time.
Scientists found that rough zinc oxide coatings can prevent adhesion between small silicon parts, a concern in microelectromechanical systems. The study could accelerate the development of high-performance electronics and sensors.
A study by Polytechnique Montréal found that metallic toys and low-cost jewelry contain toxic metals like cadmium, lead, copper, nickel, arsenic, and antimony. These metals can be mobilized into the digestive fluids when ingested, posing a risk to children's health.
A multidisciplinary team approach led to improved outcomes and quicker patient recoveries after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. The report identifies essential lessons learned, including broad collaboration, senior-level commitment, and effective communication.
Researchers at UCL have developed a new technology that can deliver the AMD drug Avastin via eye drops, potentially replacing painful injections. The system uses nanoparticles to transport the drug across biological barriers and could be customized for different medications.
The Northwestern Medicine Developmental Therapeutics Institute has received a significant $2 million pledge from The Woman's Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. This funding will support the launch of the institute, establish its first clinics, and create a fellowship program for physician-scientists specializing in developmental ...
Researchers successfully captured an image of exoplanet Beta Pictoris b using a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor in visible light, confirming its atmosphere is at 2600 degrees Fahrenheit. The achievement marks a significant step towards detecting habitable planets around other stars.
A new cancer vaccine has demonstrated prolonged survival in animal models of both tumors by stimulating the immune system to attack cancer cells. The vaccine combines a molecule targeting a tumor-cell-surface antigen with another protein that stimulates several immune functions.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new type of antibody, called a ubiquibody, which can target specific proteins for destruction. This technology could provide a powerful way to fine-tune research on protein deletion or reduction, and may also prove useful for future drug therapies.
Researchers found that brain pathways adaptively change between detecting and discriminating sensory inputs, such as headlights in the distance. The study used animal models and optical imaging to directly assess how acuity is controlled in the brain.
Correlation discovered between molecular evolutionary rates and testes weights, suggesting sperm competition fuels genetic variation. Testis size may be key factor in determining genome evolution rates among primate species.
Researchers found that new varieties have higher yields and accelerated gains, with traits like shorter plants, later maturation, and increased oil concentration. This study provides insights for future breeding efforts to maintain yield increases and address demand for soybeans.
A study by Michigan Technological University reveals that making your own 3D printer filament from old milk jugs uses less energy than conventional recycling. This DIY approach can also lead to significant cost savings, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices.
A study of STEMI patients found that patient and family satisfaction with acute care transfers was significant, with most feeling the transfer was necessary and well explained. However, some would have preferred to stay at their local facility.
Scientists have discovered that B-lymphocytes lack the protein PTP1B, making them hyperactive and promoting an autoimmune attack. This study provides a new mechanism for how B-cells regulate an immune response, potentially playing a significant role in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
A study of 80 post-menopausal women found that those with distal radius fractures had decreased strength, particularly in chair stand and grip tests, compared to similar patients without fractures. This may indicate an early decrease in physical performance level.
A clinical trial found that low-dose oral interferon-alpha can prevent hepatitis C virus (HCV) relapse in patients with mild liver fibrosis. The study's results are significant for the optimal use of IFN in HCV treatment.
Researchers found that a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene creates G-quadruplexes, hairpins, and bulges that disrupt RNA function, leading to toxic RNA buildup and protein misfolding.
A systematic review of 49 studies found that patients with heart failure and their families often lack basic knowledge about the condition, leading to confusion, delays in seeking help, and uncertainty about long-term care. This lack of understanding can decimate quality of life and is a major reason seniors end up in emergency rooms.
Researchers analyzed bone collagen of 49 adults from 3000-year-old skeletons to reveal the Lapita people's diet, which included reef fish, marine turtles, and free-range pigs. The study provides new insights into the socio-cultural elements of their society.
The Fraunhofer Institute's micro smart grid demonstrator is designed to manage EV fleets efficiently, avoiding short circuits during peak load times. The system aims to provide electricity exclusively from renewable sources, reducing the country's reliance on imported electricity and mitigating power outages.
A new study from the Women's Health Initiative found that calcium and vitamin D supplements can lower LDL cholesterol levels and raise HDL cholesterol in postmenopausal women. Vitamin D levels also played a significant role, with higher levels associated with improved cholesterol profiles.
Researchers found that hippocampal stability affects how close or far memories are recalled in terms of temporal distance. The study suggests that similarity in the brain across time results in greater temporal proximity of those memories.
A new study finds that radical prostatectomy reduces mortality in men under 65, while still benefiting older men by reducing metastases and treatment needs. The research used data from the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group Study Number 4, which randomized 695 men to surgery or watchful waiting with no initial treatment.
Researchers at NC State developed a new technique that uses existing technology to collect detailed water quality data more frequently. The approach allows researchers to measure key parameters like organic nitrogen, phosphates, total phosphorus, and salinity, offering insights into nutrient pollution.