Researchers have identified four brain areas that are active in mouse mothers who exhibit aggressive behavior towards males, but not in non-aggressive females. This finding is an important step towards understanding the origins of maternal aggression and potentially informing strategies for reducing aggression in humans.
New analysis of astronomical data suggests that galaxies with rapid rates of star formation are linked to active supermassive black holes. The study found evidence that starbursts, regions of frequent and rapid star formation, may be obscuring the central black holes' emissions in some Seyfert galaxies.
Biomedical engineers at Johns Hopkins University use a laser device to view microscopic movement and detect stutter-step motions in Listeria tails. This contradicts the widely held belief that filaments grow and push in a smooth continuous motion, suggesting a new mechanism for bacterial locomotion.
New analysis reveals Comet LINEAR might have begun coming apart in mid-June, contrary to initial predictions. The comet's erratic behavior and eventual demise thrilled astronomers, who are now studying the data to understand its breakup process.
The NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft will swoop in for a record-breaking view of asteroid Eros, collecting data and images from just 5.3 kilometers above the surface. The low-altitude flyover will provide detailed information on the asteroid's shape and surface features.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission has successfully executed the first of three orbital correction maneuvers to bring its spacecraft closer to asteroid Eros. The spacecraft will make a gradual pass within 4 miles of the asteroid's surface, gathering high-resolution images and data on the asteroid's structure.
The NEAR mission has provided definitive mass and density measurements of asteroid 433 Eros, confirming it is an undifferentiated, homogeneous structure. The asteroid's surface features spectacular images and movies showing ridges, pits, troughs, and grooves that provide fascinating clues about its history.
Baltimore researchers will develop a new type of measles vaccine protecting infants younger than 9 months old, reducing global suffering and death rate from measles. A DNA vaccine approach using genetic material of the virus will be tested in humans to determine its effectiveness.
A new process for making beta-lactam compounds could facilitate the creation of new antibacterial drugs, overcoming cost and chirality challenges. The process uses quinine as a catalyst to produce large batches of beta-lactams with desirable properties.
A fiber-optic laser system, designed by Johns Hopkins University engineers, will be launched into space to gather data on air pollution and atmospheric changes. The device uses ultraviolet light to strike gas molecules, providing critical information about the health of the atmosphere.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have created a new compound that helps delay the onset and reduce the number of skin cancers in lab mice. The compound, a modified form of vitamin D, does not cause calcium loss, making it a potential alternative approach to reducing cancer risk.
The Hubble Space Telescope observed Comet Linear experiencing a violent eruption, spewing dust into space and increasing its brightness. The team believes this event may indicate that similar 'Mount Saint Helens' outbursts occur frequently on comets.
Charles R. O'Melia received the Athalie Richardson Irvine Clarke Prize for his work on hazardous particles in water and his findings on filtration and coagulation practices. The prize comes with a gold medallion and $50,000, which will be given away to support education and environmental initiatives.
The NEAR Shoemaker mission suggests asteroid Eros is a primordial relic from the solar system's formation, with an elemental composition similar to chondritic meteorites. Studying Eros could help scientists understand how rocky planets evolved.
Student engineers at Johns Hopkins University designed a low-tech, affordable childproofing device for handguns that can be defeated by adults but not young children. The device automatically switches the gun back to safe mode when it leaves an adult's hand, providing passive protection.
Researchers found that hamsters use day length information to anticipate winter, and this memory is retained for a season. The study suggests that the hamsters' brain processes seasonal changes in daylight to adjust reproductive cycles.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and George Washington University found 40 cases of tumors in sharks and related fishes, including chondromas. The study casts doubt on the effectiveness of shark cartilage as a cancer cure, highlighting potential risks to patients and marine ecosystems.
The NEAR spacecraft has obtained the first ever laser range returns from an asteroid and the first ever X-ray detection of an asteroid. High-resolution images show chains of craters, numerous boulders, and long ridges on the surface of asteroid Eros.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that brain cells 'synchronize' to pay attention to a single stream of sensory information. This synchronization, like singing in a chorus, enables the brain to filter out distractions and prioritize important stimuli.
Researchers found that falling snowflakes create noise underwater by oscillating bubbles, which can be detected by aquatic animals and blur sensitive sonar readings. The study suggests that snowflake sounds could be a significant source of underwater clutter for people using sonar devices.
Researchers analyzed 176 species of modern-day plants to determine the sources of carbon in the atmosphere hundreds of millions of years ago. However, their results suggest that fossil plants may not provide a direct link between ancient carbon levels and climate change.
A Johns Hopkins University undergraduate has developed a computer model that simulates damaged heart tissue, confirming earlier findings on coronary artery disease. The new testing method aims to detect irregular electrical activity in the cardiac muscle, allowing for early treatment and prevention of permanent heart damage.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft has captured a striking image of an asteroid featuring a heart-shaped depression. The feature, located below a large ridge on the potato-shaped asteroid, is approximately 3 miles wide and was visible from 1,609 miles away.
Researchers identified distinct regions in the DNA where random genetic changes are more likely to benefit or harm an organism, suggesting a potential way to analyze genetic information from humans and other species. The study's findings could aid in understanding how life developed various proteins.
The NEAR spacecraft is set to embark on a historic asteroid rendezvous with Eros, the largest near-Earth asteroid discovered so far. Using its instruments, scientists will study the asteroid's chemical and physical features, evolutionary history, and magnetic field to gain insights into asteroids' origins.
Astronomers predict that upcoming improvements in radio wave observation techniques could permit seeing a circular shadow at the heart of the galaxy, revealing the first image of a black hole's event horizon. This would be a final step in confirming the existence of black holes as cosmic reality.
The Peabody Conservatory's 'Virtual Orchestra,' developed by Forrest Tobey, will perform an original composition and arrangements by Charles Byungkyu Kim during the 24-hour Times Square 2000 celebration. The performance will feature a blend of old and new sounds, including electronic timbres and instruments produced live in Times Square.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have created a model that suggests a thin jet of relatively cold molten iron is streaming down across the liquid outer core from an area in the mid-Pacific to Earth's solid iron inner core. This 'cold front' could account for irregularities in the magnetic patterns observed over the Pacific.
The TIMED spacecraft, designed and built by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, will undergo final environmental testing at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center before its May 18 launch. The mission aims to study the sun's influence on Earth's Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere/Ionosphere region.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University used electric fields to detach and move bubbles in microgravity, overcoming a major challenge for space cooling systems. The experiment, conducted on a NASA jet, provided valuable insights into the unusual behavior of bubbles in zero gravity.
A new study found that male prairie voles' brains produce a compound called citrulline, which is associated with aggressive behavior in mice. However, the study suggests that this compound may not be present in monogamous male voles, which could help explain their unique mating behaviors.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed HARP MRI to provide detailed heart muscle images in minutes, not hours. The system uses harmonic phase magnetic resonance imaging and software modifications to produce high-quality images of heart function.
Scientists are working on developing new technologies to store, access, and search large volumes of data. The team aims to improve data management for next-generation science projects like the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which will produce 40 terabytes of data.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University discovered that the brain chemical nitric oxide makes female mice more aggressive when defending their pups, while reducing aggression in male mice. The study also found that brain cells producing citrulline significantly correlated with female mouse aggressiveness.
Researchers found that larger sprocket sizes and higher chain tension can significantly increase bicycle drive train efficiency, while lubrication has a minimal impact. The study's results could have implications for other chain-driven devices, including conveyor belts and factory production lines.
The Johns Hopkins University hurricane test house, built in 1997, has collected over 2,000 data sets on wind pressure and movement, shedding light on the impact of powerful winds on coastal homes. The research aims to inform building codes and reduce property damage caused by hurricanes.
JHU/APL's MESSENGER spacecraft will be the first to visit Mercury in over three decades, gathering data on the planet's density, atmosphere, and magnetosphere. The $286 million mission has potential applications in industry beyond scientific research.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have invented a micropump that utilizes the repeated growth and collapse of a single bubble to push liquids through narrow channels. The bubble-powered pump has no moving mechanical parts, making it unlikely to wear out quickly.
The two-year TIMED mission will focus on the portion of Earth's atmosphere between 60 and 180 kilometers above the surface. The spacecraft will measure temperature, pressure, winds, and chemical composition, gaining a better understanding of the dynamics of this gateway region.
The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) will test the Big Bang theory and collect comprehensive observations of the Milky Way's star-forming regions. Launched on June 23 from Cape Canaveral Air Station, the three-year mission marks a first for an academic department in managing a satellite.
Physicists at Johns Hopkins University have identified the molecular origins of static friction, resolving a long-standing issue in understanding Amontons' classic laws. The 'gunk in the middle' - hydrocarbon molecules between surfaces - provides an explanation for the linear relationship between force and load.
Three Johns Hopkins University engineering students build an air-powered hammering device that can deliver up to 45,000 pounds of force to test computer models predicting armored vehicle equipment durability. The device is part of a design project course and aims to improve the accuracy of simulations for real-world battlefield scenarios.
After 20 years, NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite is nearing its scheduled June 23 launch. The project faced numerous setbacks, including the Challenger rocket explosion and budget cuts, but ultimately, Johns Hopkins University took over management and implemented cost-saving measures.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have made a groundbreaking discovery, capturing the first atomic-level resolution of a protein-RNA complex from the ribosome. The study reveals the intricate 3D structure of RNA and how it's held together by a protein lynchpin.
Johns Hopkins engineering undergraduates develop a restraining bar system that could reduce school bus injuries by protecting children without seat belts. The device features a pivoting bar with a manual-release lever, designed to keep children secure during head-on collisions or rollover accidents.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have identified melatonin as a key hormone that regulates brain plasticity in songbirds. The study found that melatonin reduces overall volume of the high vocal center, a brain area involved in song production, despite exposure to artificial daylight hours.
A new high-resolution transmission electron microscope at Johns Hopkins University is being used to study metal alloys and predict their behavior in jet engines. By analyzing the arrangement of atoms, researchers can determine the mechanical properties of these materials.
Undergraduates at Johns Hopkins University engage in important research projects alongside top scientists, creating innovative solutions such as a robotic submarine and testing treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Students also develop digital models of the heart and conduct gene-therapy experiments with polymer nanospheres.
The FUSE Satellite will observe wavelengths of light inaccessible to other telescopes, testing models of chemical evolution and determining the primordial abundance of deuterium. This will help scientists understand the origins of the universe, galaxy evolution, and chemical mixing and distribution.
A Johns Hopkins University engineer has developed a microchip-based robotic vision system that enables toy cars to follow lines while avoiding obstacles. The technology could also be used in medical systems, manufacturing plants, and surveillance systems.