A new study suggests that vigabatrin may prevent human methamphetamine addicts from relapsing by blocking reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior. The research found that rats pre-treated with vigabatrin lost interest in spending time in a location where they had previously been given methamphetamine.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory use a new imaging method to confirm that electron pairs emerge above the transition temperature before superconductivity sets in. The findings rule out certain explanations for high-Tc superconductivity and lend support to other competing theories.
A study by Brookhaven National Laboratory found that methamphetamine's quick entry and slow clearance from the brain contribute to its long-lasting effects. The researchers used PET scans to track the drug's uptake, distribution, and clearance in healthy volunteers.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have successfully engineered two-layer thin films with a nanometer-thin region of superconductivity, elevating the temperature of superconductivity to over 50 kelvin. This achievement brings researchers closer to fabricating useful three-terminal superconducting devices.
Scientists from 40 institutions participate in an international field experiment to collect real-time data on the southeastern Pacific's climate system. The study aims to improve global climate models and better predict Earth's climate.
The Worldwide LHC Computing Grid has combined the power of over 140 computer centers from 33 countries to analyze and manage 15 million gigabytes of LHC data annually. This massive distributed computing system will enable 7,000 scientists worldwide to analyze data and uncover secrets about the physical universe.
Scientists have determined the structures of two important plant viruses, revealing their spiral-shaped structure featuring around nine molecular subunits per turn. This discovery may lead to new ways to protect crop plants from viruses and other forms of damage, as well as engineer molecules to interfere with virus infections.
Brookhaven researchers modified a desaturase enzyme to produce three new products, including two variations of an allylic alcohol and a fatty acid with two double bonds. The discovery expands the potential for engineering designer plant oils as biofuels and raw materials.
High-temperature superconductors face a quantum 'traffic jam' that overwhelms the interactions needed for them to act as superconductors. The research offers an explanation, pointing towards new materials with stronger electron pairing but less 'traffic-jam' effect.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory found that vigabatrin induced satiety in obese animals, leading to significant weight loss and reduced food consumption. The study suggests that vigabatrin could potentially treat severe obesity, including binge eating patterns similar to those seen in cocaine dependency.
Researchers aim to better understand neutrino oscillations, studying the third unknown mixing angle using antineutrinos from nuclear reactors. The Daya Bay experiment in China and SNO+ upgrade will map antineutrino oscillations between flavors.
Scientists have developed a new instrument to create model nanocatalysts of molybdenum sulfide with atomic precision. The most reactive nanocluster had six atoms of molybdenum and eight atoms of sulfur, showing promise for improving hydrodesulfurization processes.
Scientists create model nanocatalyst with controlled molybdenum sulfide nanocluster size and structure. This innovation enables designing more efficient nanocatalysts for hydrodesulfurization processes, reducing pollution from natural gas and petroleum products.
Researchers have found a highly efficient inhibitor of botulinum neurotoxin type A, which can block its deadly action. The toxin binds to nerve cell membranes and cleaves proteins, causing muscle paralysis and death.
Researchers used PET scanning to track salvinorin A distribution in primates' brains, finding a peak concentration within 40 seconds. The drug's effects were localized to the cerebellum and visual cortex, causing psychoactive effects with just 10 micrograms.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory found that increasing dopamine D2 receptor levels can reduce cocaine use in rats by 75 percent. The treatment, which involves injecting a harmless virus carrying the D2 receptor gene into the brain, has potential as an addiction therapy.
Researchers developed a DNA-guided method for controlling nanoparticle assembly, enabling precise manipulation of materials. Scientists also made progress in understanding the 'pseudogap' phenomenon in high-temperature superconductors, which could lead to improved superconductor design.
Researchers have uncovered the structure of a protein complex responsible for adding sugar molecules to proteins, crucial for many protein functions. The discovery may help understand diseases resulting from faulty glycosylation processes.
A recent study suggests that cocaine's impact on brain metabolism may be a key factor in its addictive nature. The research, conducted at Brookhaven National Laboratory, found that the drug had significant effects on brain metabolism beyond just dopamine, even in mice lacking the gene for dopamine transporters.
Physicists at RHIC have developed a way to measure subtle fluctuations in particle beams and send corrections ahead to smooth out scattering. This technique, called stochastic cooling, aims to recreate the conditions of the early universe, potentially saving time and money.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory successfully created 3D crystalline structures of nanoparticles using DNA, opening doors for new applications. The method relies on the attractive forces between complementary DNA strands to guide nanoparticle interactions and produce ordered crystals.
A brain-imaging study found that overweight people's brains respond differently to feelings of fullness, with reduced activation in areas signaling satiety. Treatments targeting these circuits may help control chronic overeating, according to the authors.
A new study finds that moderate sun exposure can increase vitamin D production, which protects against various cancers and diseases. The research suggests that people in southern latitudes produce more vitamin D due to increased solar radiation intensity.
Soil samples from a forest ecosystem with artificially elevated CO2 levels reveal distinct changes in the mix of microorganisms living beneath trembling aspen trees. These changes support increased plant growth and the ability to sequester excess carbon.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered that gold-cerium oxide and gold-titanium oxide nanocatalysts exhibit high activity in the water-gas shift reaction. The catalysts' oxides break apart water molecules, enabling the elimination of carbon monoxide and improving fuel cell efficiency.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory found that the surface of manganite materials has a more disordered orbital order than their bulk counterparts. This 'surface orbital roughness' affects electron transfer and provides fundamental information for future research and development.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have created a new tool to measure elusive atmospheric chemicals involved in smog formation. The device can predict the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies by quantitatively assessing hydroperoxyl radicals and their chemical pathways.
Researchers found that cocaine-addicted individuals have compromised sensitivity to monetary rewards, which may explain why they struggle to change their drug-taking behavior. The study suggests that this altered sensitivity to reward could be a key factor in the difficulty of modifying drug-taking behavior.
A study by Brookhaven National Laboratory found that D-cycloserine reduced cocaine-seeking behavior in mice previously trained to expect cocaine. The antibiotic-like drug showed promise in extinguishing cravings and reducing relapse risk.
Kyle Cranmer, a Brookhaven Lab physicist, has received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers for his work on the ATLAS experiment at CERN. He specializes in advanced data analysis and statistical techniques to discover new physics at the Large Hadron Collider.
Genetically obese rats showed lower dopamine D2 receptor levels than lean counterparts. However, restricting food intake increased D2 receptor numbers, partially reversing age-related decline. This finding suggests a link between brain's reward system and food availability in obesity.
Researchers at the University of Utah have developed new peptides that inhibit HIV entry into cells, with up to a 40,000-fold improved antiviral potency over previously reported D-peptides. These peptides resist degradation, making them suitable for oral administration and potentially reducing drug resistance.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory develop a method to correlate microscopic imaging techniques, leading to better understanding and diagnosis of diseases. The technology enables the study of organic and inorganic components simultaneously, improving disease treatment.
Brookhaven researchers developed a compound kinoform lens to surpass the critical angle limit, enabling efficient focusing of x-rays down to extremely small spots. This breakthrough advances nanoscience, energy, biology, and materials research with potential applications in alternative-energy technologies and new drug development.
Researchers create DNA shells to coat particles' surfaces, allowing for precise control over their structure and properties. The technique enables applications in efficient energy conversion, drug delivery, and environmental monitoring.
Researchers created nanocavity-filled titanium oxide nanorods that are 25% more efficient at absorbing UVA and UVB radiation, making them ideal for sunscreen. The method involves simply heating titanate nanorods in air, transforming them into titanium oxide with regular polyhedral nanoholes.
By using synthetic DNA to recognize and bind to complementary DNA on nanoparticles, researchers can control the self-assembly of gold nanoparticles into clusters. This technique provides precise control over nanoparticle assembly, enabling the creation of well-organized nanoclusters.
Researchers design catalysts inspired by photosynthesis to produce fuels directly from carbon dioxide or water using renewable solar energy. They also reveal a jumpstart in organic electron transfer that could lead to technological advances in small-scale circuits for improving solar cells.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered a new mechanism underlying colossal magnetoresistance, a phenomenon that enables dramatic changes in electrical resistance. The findings have the potential to improve data storage devices with higher density and reduced power requirements.
Scientists generate most energetic terahertz pulses ever produced, allowing for the observation of cross-phase modulation and opening up new possibilities for materials research and light source technologies. The breakthrough could lead to innovations in fields such as biological molecule imaging and homeland security.
Researchers demonstrate ability to attach gold nanoparticles to proteins, forming protein-gold arrays for deciphering protein structures, identifying functional parts, and targeted drug delivery. Applications include catalysts for biomass energy conversion and precision vehicles for tumor targeting.
A new study suggests that stimulant treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can increase the risk of future drug abuse, with age and treatment duration being key variables. The researchers found that brain chemistry changes associated with longer treatment periods may attenuate the propensity to abuse drugs.
A study by Brookhaven National Laboratory found a link between low brain enzyme levels and aggressive behavior in healthy men. The research used positron emission tomography scanning to measure brain activity and completed a standard personality questionnaire to assess personalities.
Brookhaven National Laboratory has developed improved radiation detectors that can be used at room temperature, enhancing detection of X-rays and gamma rays. The new sensors use shielding methods to focus electrons toward the anode, improving energy resolution and efficiency.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have devised methods to make spintronic devices based on electron spin, potentially increasing electronic device productivity. The development uses graphene-magnet multilayers and aims to create a full spectrum of spintronic devices, including re-writable microchips and transistors.
Researchers used the world's smallest pipette to study tiny liquid metal droplets and found they develop surface facets that form an 'ethereal dance' as they freeze. This challenge to traditional theory may improve understanding of freezing processes in nature and nanotechnology.
Researchers create combination proteins that trigger a stronger immune response against Lyme disease, potentially leading to more effective vaccines. The new proteins can also be used as diagnostic reagents to distinguish between disease-causing and harmless strains of bacteria.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered that copper nanoparticles can replace expensive gold catalysts to improve hydrogen production efficiency. The new material exhibits almost identical reactivity and significantly lower costs.
Brookhaven chemists aim to replicate natural photosynthesis to produce fuels like methanol, methane, and hydrogen from water and carbon dioxide using renewable solar energy. They are investigating various catalysts, including ruthenium-based complexes, to mimic the natural process of oxygen production from water.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered a way to use gold to prevent the destruction of platinum in fuel cell reactions, enhancing the metal's value. The new method, which involves adding gold clusters to platinum electrocatalysts, keeps the precious metal stable during accelerated stability tests.