News on R&D across science and industry. Covers R&D awards, applied studies, quantum institutes, and university research initiatives.
Researchers have developed an infection-fighting antibody that successfully cures disease in mice infected with West Nile virus, even when the virus had entered their brains. The monoclonal antibody was several hundred times more potent than natural antibodies and completely protected mice against death.
GM's innovative use of operations research has saved the company over $2 billion by improving productivity at 30 assembly plants worldwide. The award recognizes outstanding implemented operations research that has had a significant positive impact on GM's performance.
The UN University's new book Regulating Bioprospecting highlights the need for effective policies and institutions to tap into bioprospecting's potential. Experts argue that poor regulatory environments and market imperfections hinder investments in drug research and development from developing countries.
A study of 400 single mothers in Milwaukee found that an anti-poverty program increased the marriage rate by nearly doubling it compared to a control group. The New Hope Project provided benefits such as wage supplements, child care subsidies, and job support, leading to higher marriage rates among participants.
A recent study published in Management Science suggests that the internet may not lead to lower prices for consumers, contradicting common assumptions. The researchers found that businesses have no incentive to undercut their rivals due to easy price monitoring on the web.
Asian countries are closing the gap with the US in research and development, driven by increased talent pool, R&D spending, and patent growth. The number of researchers in Asia has grown rapidly, while US doctoral degrees have decreased, leading to a decline in US scientific capability.
The pharmaceutical industry is struggling with declining productivity and increasing R&D costs, prompting the need for innovative solutions. Personalized medicine offers a promising approach by targeting drugs to individuals likely to respond well, while regional development and cluster formation can foster collaboration and competitiv...
A new international treaty aims to address the global management of publicly funded health R&D, prioritizing diseases with a high burden such as tuberculosis and leishmaniasis. The treaty would provide a binding framework for redirecting knowledge and scientific expertise towards priority needs.
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Researchers at UC Davis have developed a new method to create supercapacitors using aligned and packed carbon nanotubes on nickel foil. This innovation enables the creation of devices with high power density, up to 30 kilowatts per kilogram (kW/kg), significantly outperforming current commercial devices.
Research suggests that young children may understand word use more flexibly than previously thought, learning words through simple games and routines. Children as young as 9 months old can learn and apply new words in a decontextualized manner.
DHS has selected Stanford as its first regional center for national visual analytics work, aiming to enhance analytical reasoning with complex information. The partnership will focus on network traffic analysis, cognitive principles, and exploratory analysis of graphs in relational databases.
The Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing (CAMM) will combine resources from academia, government, and industry to speed up microelectronics manufacturing research and development in a roll-to-roll format. CAMM's R2R research capabilities include flexible displays, 'foldable' radars, and protective clothing.
The LCLS X-ray free electron laser will enable breakthrough science and imaging at the atomic scale, with initial funding of $54 million. Construction is set to begin in 2006, with a new center for ultrafast science expected to be operational by 2009.
A new study suggests that rotary blood pumps may be effective in children with heart failure, potentially saving thousands of lives by sustaining heart function until recovery or transplantation. Researchers believe the technology has the potential to improve treatment outcomes for pediatric patients.
R207910, a novel diarylquinoline compound, has demonstrated effectiveness in clearing infection from lungs of mice and reducing bacterial load by 50%. The drug's unique mechanism of action targeting ATP synthase makes it active against drug-resistant strains of TB.
New research presented at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting reveals promising results for tipifarnib, a potential treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in elderly patients. The study found molecular predictors of response to tipifarnib, offering hope for improved patient outcomes.
Chandramouli and his team developed a platform-independent Rapid Steganographic Detection Suite (RSDS) to scan for hidden information in digital files, images, and emails. The software framework uses steganalytic tools and techniques to detect and analyze steganographic content, allowing users to identify potential security threats.
Computer scientists capture data on pen stroke patterns and aesthetic signatures from artworks, revealing consistencies and inconsistencies within single pieces or among works by the same artist. The technique confirms what art experts have concluded about the authorship of certain paintings.
The six winners of the 2004 AAAS Science Journalism Awards are recognized for their exceptional storytelling and dedication to science reporting. Amy Ellis Nutt's series on killer germs defeating antibiotics and Melinda Burns's story on Polynesians sharing sea-faring skills with the Chumash people were among the notable entries.
Researchers at GlaxoSmithKline have been awarded grants to develop new treatments for HIV/AIDS. Dr. Yaoxing Huang's work focuses on designing a protein that can block all three steps of the viral entry process, while Olaf Kutsch aims to identify potential inhibitors of HIV transcription using a novel screening system.
A new system will be tested at Denver International Airport to detect freezing drizzle and prevent engine damage. The system can identify the hazard more accurately than visual observation, which often goes undetected due to small droplet size.
The center aims to consolidate knowledge on protein behavior and develop a platform for screening small molecular libraries against proteases. The technology will help define the role of human proteases in physiology and pathology, enabling the development of new therapies.
The UK's productivity gap with the US, France, and Germany is substantial, driven by factors such as capital investment, skills, and innovation. Research suggests that improving competition, investing in physical and human capital, and enhancing management skills can help bridge the gap.
HBOCs increase tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery, offering a temporary solution for situations with massive hemorrhaging or blood shortages. They can effectively increase the usable blood supply in cardiac surgery, creating a 20% increase in supply.
The university will develop tools and processes for mass-producing devices at the nanoscale level, potentially catapulting the field into a $1 trillion industry by 2015. The center will also assess environmental, economic, regulatory, and ethical impacts of nanomanufacturing.
The study found that adolescents' autonomy increased over five years, with more independence in personal and multifaceted issues as they aged. Parental involvement in prudential and conventional decisions was associated with better adjustment, while joint decision-making on multifaceted issues predicted positive outcomes.
A study using Venn diagram tactics categorizes mutation types in cells from different patients, identifying a novel cause of lethal neonatal mitochondrial complex I deficiency. The authors demonstrate the technique's strength by pinpointing mutations in the NDUFS6 gene, a previously unknown contributor to this disease.
Researchers found that recovering alcoholics show significant deficits in executive functioning during abstinence's first weeks, impacting treatment compliance and daily life. This impairment can last for weeks after quitting drinking, requiring clinicians to adjust expectations.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have invented a new fuel cell material called Battellion TM that can reduce the cost of production, making it more economically viable. The material has improved stability, conductivity, and manufacturing processes, allowing for longer service life and reduced weight compared to existing materials.
The Lancet task force outlines a research agenda to strengthen health systems and deliver effective interventions in an equitable manner. The proposal aims to enhance capacity for delivering life-saving interventions, particularly in the developing world.
Health experts emphasize the need for stronger health systems to achieve improved health outcomes, but agree that a more manageable approach is needed. Disease-specific interventions can deliver quicker results, yet may lead to duplication and disruption, while system-wide approaches build benefits over time, but are less manageable.
A survey of over 200 respondents found that more than half struggled to keep track of paper documents, losing them at least once a week, compared to electronic information. The study highlights the need for better tools to help people organize their information effectively, regardless of its form or location.
Researchers found a series of genes defining a two-segment periodicity in centipede embryos, resulting in single segments that later develop legs. This mechanism limits the number of leg-bearing segments to odd numbers, with additional non-leg bearing segments also formed.
Researchers investigate auditory brainstem responses for early detection of ototoxic hearing loss, as well as sensory rehabilitation methods such as obstacle avoidance training, blind rehabilitation, and constraint-induced therapy. These studies aim to minimize or prevent debilitating hearing loss and improve mobility function in indiv...
Artificial viruses are used as standards in research labs to check analysis methods, but measuring their concentration is challenging. NIST scientists now use neutrons to measure the amount of RNA in these 'fake' viruses, allowing for more accurate detection of real viruses at early stages of infection.
The Agentase Nerve Agent Sensor detects nerve agents with high sensitivity and resistance to environmental factors, having a two- to three-year shelf life and compatibility with all testing surfaces. It is already in use in Iraq.
Schwartz aims to develop a computer model of self-assembly within cells, which will help researchers understand mechanisms controlling chemical reactions and identify promising drugs that can target viruses effectively. The grant also supports teaching advanced methods in biological modeling and simulation.
Researchers at NIST created a new technique to measure friction accurately in the nano- and micro-scale. The method helps designers produce more durable devices with moving parts by accounting for unintended scratching of surfaces.
Radatec's innovative sensors measure motion using microwave technology, operating at extremely high temperatures and unaffected by contaminants. The company's sensors provide real-time information about critical mechanical components, enabling operators to predict when repairs are needed and reducing maintenance costs.
Research suggests that when mothers use a controlling approach, children become disengaged and perform poorly in school. In contrast, an autonomy-supportive approach improves children's performance immediately and leads to better grades over time. The study emphasizes the importance of this parenting style for low-achieving children.
The National Visual Analytics Center aims to improve terrorist threat detection and analysis of vast information streams using visual analytics techniques, protecting individual privacy in the process. The center will develop tools for evaluating new technologies and support information sharing in a secure environment.
A scientific working group found that renaming premature ejaculation could lead to confusion and require re-education. Instead, they recommend using the current term to describe the condition, which is associated with stigma rather than the name itself. The group also emphasizes the importance of open dialogue about male sexual health.
The US National Science Foundation's S&E Indicators 2004 report shows significant variation in state-level indicators of education, workforce, and research & development. States with strong federal and industry R&D investments tend to have more college graduates in the workforce.
Arthur B. Weglein, a physics professor at the University of Houston, testified before the US Congress Science Committee on the proposed ultradeep energy bill (H.R. 6). The hearing focused on the benefits of ultradeep water research and development, which could create nearly one million jobs and increase domestic oil and gas production.
The US remains top in science and engineering, but faces challenges from a shrinking native talent pool and increasing competition globally. Foreign-born workers have contributed to the country's success, but high-skill visas have declined significantly since 2001.
The GlaxoSmithKline Drug Discovery and Development Research Grant Program provides funding for HIV/AIDS research, focusing on novel therapies, vaccines, and microbicides. Researchers can apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 to develop innovative treatments and submit proposals for publication.
The US President's FY 2005 budget proposes significant cuts to non-defense Research and Development (R&D) programs, with some agencies facing declines of up to 28%. The largest decreases will occur in the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, and National Institutes of Health.
An imaging study found that teaching matters and good instruction can change the brain's functioning in children, improving reading ability. The study showed significant gains in reading skills among children who received intensive phonemic awareness and phonics-based instruction.
NIST's new reference material, calibrated microspheres coated with fluorescent dye, provides an authoritative national fluorescence measurement scale. This improvement enables more accurate measurements of signal intensity, reflecting numbers of target molecules in samples.
A recent study published in JAMA found that approximately four out of five newly-disabled older people regain independence within six months. However, recovery is often short-lived, with many experiencing recurrent episodes of disability.
Jennifer Lewis and her team developed novel inks that can create three-dimensional periodic structures with feature sizes 100 times smaller than before. The ink is based on polyelectrolyte mixtures and can be tailored to control its flow through fine deposition nozzles.
A new study finds that parallel trade in pharmaceuticals has a negative impact on the UK economy, with estimated losses of £290 million to manufacturers. The study concludes that the short-term benefits for consumers are outweighed by the long-term costs to innovation and investment in research and development.
The Geoenvironmental Research Group (GRP) has joined the Sustainable Technologies Technium, a £10.8m innovation centre in Wales. The partnership aims to create additional companies, new jobs and increase turnover through world-beating technologies for sustainable solutions.
The University of Hawaii has developed a mentoring relationship with the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry to address oral health disparities in Hawaii. The collaboration aims to improve the oral health status of the people of Hawaii by conducting pilot studies on mothers and their babies in rural communities.
The UK is investing in two University centres to build accelerator RÔD expertise and develop a strong research base in experimental particle physics. The Neutrino Factory is proposed as an international experiment to study artificially produced neutrinos.
A study highlights the need for further thinking on research conducted in developing countries, where a majority of studies were not reviewed by local institutional boards. The survey found that 44% of respondents believed their studies were not reviewed, with concerns about cultural appropriateness and language consent forms.
Researchers Hubbard and Love propose a new system for funding drug development, separating R&D and product markets. This could lead to greater openness in drug research, reduced prices, and expanded access to new medicines.
Researchers discovered how day length and light quality affect stability of floral-promoting protein constans in Arabidopsis thaliana. This finding helps explain seasonal, day-length dependent flowering behavior in many plant species.
Researchers developed simple systems to analyze website user behavior, enabling accurate forecasts of future buying patterns. The study applied these models to a UK information website and an online CD retailer, demonstrating their potential for improving marketing and advertising strategies.