Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a method called 'radiance caching' to efficiently render images with smoke, fog, and other visual effects. This approach cuts computational time and energy by reusing previously computed lighting values.
Scientists have developed a new technique to measure the speed of nuclei traveling at one-third the speed of light, enabling the study of rare isotopes. The method uses the Doppler effect to calculate the nucleus's speed based on gamma ray emissions.
Primates use cognitive abilities to select food sources based on resource quality and social group needs. The study found that white-faced saki monkeys traveled four times further than predicted distances to choose fruit-rich sites, prioritizing the group's dominance and competition.
The BioSuit is a lightweight, skintight suit designed to allow superior mobility when humans reach Mars or return to the moon. It uses mechanical counter-pressure and stretches with the body, allowing freedom of movement.
New research reveals counterfactual thinking in readers is about undoing choices, while actors alter problem-solving processes. This challenges previous theories on the nature of this psychological mechanism.
Researchers at USC are training a new breed of robotic dog, called LittleDog, to navigate challenging terrain. After 15 months of experimentation, the dogs can now move, albeit slowly, and will be trained to run faster in the next phase of the study.
A new study reveals the challenges posed by PGD patients traveling abroad, with concerns over referral processes, counselling, and monitoring. The study highlights inconsistencies in regulation across Europe, with some countries allowing prenatal testing but not PGD.
In a study on female Galápagos marine iguanas, researchers found that females devote substantial energy to picking among suitors, with visiting attractive males carrying the highest costs. This includes weight loss and reduced egg production, as well as decreased chances for survival during food-scarce seasons.
Nicholas Tan Xue-Wei, an 18-year-old Singaporean student, will present his research paper on stem cells at two international conferences in the US and UK. He was nominated for a Best Paper Award at WCE 2007 for his work on growing Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a serum-free medium.
A new bacterium, Bartonella rochalimae, has been discovered and isolated from a patient who suffered symptoms similar to malaria or typhoid fever. The bacterium is genetically similar to one spread by body lice in World War I trenches, causing trench fever.
Carola Wenk, a UTSA computer science professor, has been awarded a $400,000 NSF grant to study geometric shape handling in theory and practice using GPS technology. She aims to develop real-time traffic estimation and prediction systems for San Antonio.
Scientists have observed paxillin moving from cell surface hubs to the nucleus, highlighting its role in signaling and controlled cell growth. This discovery sheds light on paxillin's interactions with other proteins and its potential involvement in diseases such as cancer.
Researchers discovered that molecular motors play a crucial role in shedding membrane from the tips of microvilli, speeding up nutrient processing. This finding has implications for understanding gastrointestinal physiology and potential new treatments for diseases.
The article reviews medical literature to provide US clinicians with updated guidelines for diagnosing and treating malaria. Key findings include the importance of considering malaria in the differential diagnosis based on travel history and prompt treatment.
Researchers surveyed healthcare workers about their willingness to report to work during disasters. Workers were more likely to come to work when they felt their role was important, safe traveling to work, and supported by family. However, fear and uncertainty can lead to a decrease in staff availability, complicating disaster response.
The University at Buffalo team conducts research on Baffin Island's fjords and sediments to reconstruct past climates and study the effects of climate change. They also educate the local Inuit community about global warming's impact on their traditional way of life.
Biologists used simple equations to describe the motion of Listeria monocytogenes, reproducing all observed shapes with just two variables. The equations can help identify bacterial mutants and rule out mechanisms driving the motion.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that newborn neurons tend to form connections with mature brain cells, rather than randomly connecting throughout the network. This allows them to compete out older neurons and ensure proper integration into the existing circuitry.
Conservation efforts in US and Mexico may be increasing loggerhead and Kemp's ridley turtles visiting UK waters. The research team attributes the increase to protective measures, such as turtle excluder devices in fishing nets.
Researchers have identified a lack of precise methods for studying nanostructured materials' atomic arrangements, dubbed the 'nanostructure problem.' A comprehensive solution requires coordination among multiple experimental methods and theory.
A study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that cigarette smoking status can be used as a clinical indicator for alcohol misuse, which presents an opportunity for intervention. Non-daily smokers are five times more likely to have a problem with alcohol compared to people who have never smoked.
A USC study found that patients with later stage cancer diagnoses were more likely to live in unsafe neighborhoods, use public transportation, and travel long distances to receive medical care. The study suggests that addressing neighborhood conditions and prioritizing health care can help reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses.
Research suggests that genetics, socioeconomic status, and neighborhood environment play a role in cancer incidence and mortality disparities among African-Americans, Hispanics, and Caucasians. A survey found that late-stage cancer diagnosis is more common among older, low-income individuals living in unsafe neighborhoods.
Researchers found humpback whales migrating up to 8,300 kilometers to warmer waters during winter, with the longest distance recorded at 5,100 miles from Central America to Antarctica. The study validates a long-held assumption about humpback whale migration patterns.
A study by Conservation International finds that existing protected areas remain effective in the early stages of climate change, but adding new ones would maintain species protection in future decades and centuries. The research concludes that anticipating the need for new protected areas and getting them created in the short term wil...
The LA Times reporters were recognized for their outstanding journalistic achievement in raising public awareness about human-caused ocean microbiological changes. Their 5-part series, Altered Oceans, explained how overfishing and waste dumping are creating a biological imbalance in the world's oceans.
A RAND Corporation study found that neighborhoods with more four-way intersections and diverse businesses encourage walking. However, the impact of these factors on walking is not particularly strong, especially when housing density is low. The study suggests that urban design recommendations can help create walkable communities.
The study challenges conventional thought on sediment transport in the GBR, showing large plumes of terrestrial material traveling up to 65-130km beyond the inner reef. This poses new risks for reef corals and highlights the need for rethinking hydrological modeling.
A majority of Americans agree with most scientists that the Earth is getting warmer, but they are uncertain about the seriousness of the problem. The uncertainty stems from a belief that scientists disagree about global warming, despite being on the same wavelength with the scientific community about the basics of the issue.
New study finds that electrons retain their spin alignment for up to three nanoseconds when confined around defects in semiconductors. This discovery presents a design challenge for spintronic devices, as optimal memory retention conditions are not conducive to efficient transport properties.
Researchers at Harvard University have successfully stopped, store, and revive a light pulse in two separate locations using supercooled sodium clouds. This technique enables precise control over optical information and has potential applications in quantum information processing and cryptography.
A recent study found that individuals' annual travel is equivalent to 5.25 tonnes of carbon dioxide on average, with the top 20% of 'emitters' responsible for 61% of all travel emissions. High-income earners, particularly employed men, are among the largest contributors to climate change impact through their travel patterns.
The microshutters will enable scientists to block unwanted light from objects closer to the camera in space, letting the light from faraway objects shine through. This technology allows the telescope to focus on the faint light of stars and galaxies so far away, they formed early in the history of the universe.
A study found that temporary inhibition of native language words helps learners focus on the new language. Fluently bilingual speakers were less prone to this effect, suggesting it's an adaptive strategy during initial second language learning stages.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded nearly $11.5 million to fund Science Education Partnership Awards (SEPA) across the US. These projects aim to promote health literacy and encourage students to pursue careers in the health sciences through hands-on, inquiry-based activities.
A genetic mutation in a single amino acid change in the beta1-adrenergic receptor affects its response to certain beta blockers. The Arg389 variant of the receptor is more sensitive to carvedilol, leading to reduced cAMP signaling and potentially poorer treatment outcomes for black patients.
A genetic mutation in the beta1-adrenergic receptor alters the response to certain heart failure drugs, highlighting the potential for personalized medicine. The study found that a single amino acid change in the receptor can affect how well patients respond to beta blockers, with some variants showing increased sensitivity to carvedilol.
A new study estimates the patient time costs associated with cancer care, finding that hospitalizations were the largest component of patient time costs in both initial year after diagnosis and last year of life. The estimated net patient time costs ranged from $271 for melanoma to $7,799 for gastric cancer.
Research led by the National Drug Evidence Centre found that problem drug use is declining in some areas previously considered 'hot spots' in the UK. The study suggests that younger people are being recruited into the problem drug use population at a faster rate, leading to a decline in incidence rates.
A new study suggests that targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) may help prevent optic-nerve damage in glaucoma patients. Researchers found that blocking TNF-alpha's action with an antibody prevented loss of oligodendrocytes and retinal ganglion cells when intraocular pressure was raised.
A systematic review of HIV medication adherence factors reveals common barriers in both developed and developing countries, as well as unique challenges in resource-constrained settings. Facilitators of adherence include having a sense of self-worth, simplicity of regimens, and reminder tools, but no such facilitators were identified i...
Astronomers have mapped the rate of acceleration of cosmic ray electrons in a supernova remnant, showing close to maximum theoretical rates. The discovery provides evidence that supernova remnants are key sites for energizing charged particles.
Researchers developed a nanoparticle delivery system that targets brain tumors, allowing for higher doses of drugs to be delivered while minimizing harm to healthy tissue. The technology has the potential to improve treatment outcomes and eliminate common side effects associated with photodynamic therapy.
Research reveals the journeys of endangered adult females traveling thousands of miles across boundaries between countries, highlighting the need for a team effort in their conservation. The study's findings emphasize the importance of protecting these fragile populations from habitat destruction, bycatch, and other human impacts.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota discovered that erotic images can trigger unconscious brain responses in individuals based on their gender and sexual orientation. The study found that even when subjects were unaware of the images, they shifted their visual attention accordingly. The results suggest that the brain processes v...
The University of Georgia has been awarded a $4.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate transposable elements in maize, which are believed to contribute significantly to gene and genome evolution. The project aims to create an annotated database that will aid future research on this crop plant.
Researchers identified 'sociality' neurons in bird brains, which promote positive affiliation and are more active in gregarious species. The study's findings have implications for understanding social behavior in animals, including humans.
A team of astronomers discovered that many large galaxies in the early universe had a low stellar birth rate, suggesting a cosmic 'birth control' mechanism that prevented excessive star formation. The study found that these galaxies formed stars when the universe was just 20% of its current age.
Researchers found that pollutants from forest fires in Alaska and Canada significantly increased ozone pollution levels above Houston on July 19-20, 2004. The study highlighted the critical role of imported sources in local air quality, emphasizing the need for improved air quality forecasting and solutions.
A study published in Neuron found that the brain has a specific 'executive processing' area that inhibits emotional activity, enabling people to cope with distractions. Researchers also discovered that individuals with PTSD and depression have impaired amygdalar inhibition, leading to emotional intrusion.
A Northwestern University study finds that the kouprey, Southeast Asia's 'forest ox,' is unlikely to be a wild species due to its genetic similarity to a domesticated breed. The researchers believe it may have originated from a domestic hybrid between banteng and zebu cattle.
Researchers studied chimpanzee progression order as they crossed two roads, finding that adult males take up forward and rearward positions depending on risk level and number of adults present. This cooperative behavior helps maximize group protection, suggesting a high level of flexibility in dominant individuals.
A scientist-astronaut is sending human T-cells to the International Space Station to study why they don't activate properly in microgravity. The experiment aims to identify which genes are not expressed in space, shedding light on immunosuppression and potential treatments for astronauts.
A West Indian manatee has been sighted in various northeastern US waters, including the Hudson River and Cape Cod. Researchers used a manatee photo-identification database to rule out Chessie, a known manatee with distinctive markings, as the current traveler.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego have developed a new technique to detect internal defects in steel railroad tracks using laser beam pulses and ultrasonic microphones. The technology has shown promising results, detecting 76.9-100% of internal defects and 61.5-90% of surface cuts in dry and wet conditions.
A large study found that traveling for more than 4 hours increases the risk of venous thrombosis by 2-fold. High-risk groups, including those with factor V Leiden and oral contraceptives, have a significantly increased risk of thrombosis after air travel.
The COBE experiments confirmed the universe was born in a big bang, shedding light on its structure. Variations in the CMB revealed tiny but regular temperature fluctuations that exist everywhere in the cosmos.
A new method for rendering realistic hair in computer animation has been developed by Cornell researchers, allowing for more accurate simulations of light scattering and diffusion. This breakthrough reduces computation time by 87.5%, enabling the creation of more realistic blond and light-colored hairstyles.
A study published by the American Physiological Society found that a single therapeutic dose of radiation can cause up to 39% spongy bone loss in mice, reducing their weight-bearing connections by 64%. This has significant implications for astronauts on long space missions and patients receiving radiation therapy.
A new study uses a 3D model to reveal the secrets of metastasis in human prostate tumor cells. Cells move slower and need to chop or squeeze through fibers to progress. The research provides insights into why two-dimensional assays for metastasis-inhibiting drugs are not effective.