Articles tagged with Research Priorities
The INEEL is developing a roadmap for vadose zone management, leveraging expertise from DOE sites, contractors, industry, and universities to enhance timely delivery of products. The goal is sound environmental stewardship through understanding based on defensible science.
Researchers found that oxygen supplementation can significantly reduce the effects of retinal detachment by protecting photoreceptor cells and limiting cell abnormality. This breakthrough suggests that ophthalmologists may want to consider providing oxygen therapy to patients diagnosed with retinal detachment while awaiting surgery.
A recent study by researchers at NIDA found that chronic, heavy cocaine users experience prolonged deficits in manual dexterity and problem-solving skills after quitting. The study suggests dose-related effects on cognitive function, particularly in the prefrontal cortex.
Lemurs play a vital role in dispersing seeds for tree species in Madagascar's dry forests, which would otherwise fail to regenerate without them. The study found that the brown lemur is responsible for dispersing most of these species, highlighting the importance of reintroducing lemurs and reducing fragmentation.
The Florida Coastal Monitoring Project installs 28 sensors on 10 South Florida homes to gather data on wind speed and pressure. The project aims to improve the design and construction of houses that can withstand high winds.
A new study reveals that women have a higher proportion of gray matter to cranial volume than men, while men have more white matter and cerebrospinal fluid. This difference is associated with sex differences in cognitive performance, particularly in spatial tasks.
Jon Kleinberg, a computer scientist at Cornell University, is working on making the Internet more efficient by studying how information moves through networks. He aims to develop better routing algorithms that can handle congestion and optimize network capacity.
Researchers from the Partnership for Natural Disaster Reduction (PNDR) presented various studies on wind and earthquake resistance, including a large-scale extreme wind research facility and hurricane-resistant homes. The PNDR program aims to reduce damage from natural disasters through concerted nationwide research efforts.
The new wavelet technique for computer noise removal from and compression of side-scan sonar images significantly reduces the number of undetected mines by at least 50%. Statistical classification combined with wavelet-based filtering dramatically decreases the number of false alarms, improving the system's detection capability.
A study of California physicians reveals mixed support for the state's law requiring suspected domestic violence cases to be reported to authorities. The majority believe the law creates barriers to care and violates patient confidentiality, which could deter victims from seeking help or jeopardize their safety.
Scientists have discovered the molecular structure of ZAG, a protein linked to severe weight loss in cancer patients. The discovery provides crucial insights into how ZAG promotes fat breakdown, paving the way for potential treatments for clinical obesity and related conditions.
A new study by Ohio State University proposes five research areas to understand why men and women respond differently to autoimmune diseases. The task force aims to uncover the cellular mechanisms behind hormonal effects and identify genetic factors that may contribute to the diseases.
The President's Information Technology Advisory Committee recommends increasing funding for long-term research programs and computing infrastructures. The committee highlights four areas deserving of increased research funding, including software development and high-end computing.
A survey of consumers found that Americans prefer beef over emu due to its gamey flavor, although it is a healthier option. Emu was rated lower in tenderness and overall acceptance compared to turkey and beef.
A new candidate vaccine targets multiple stages of the malaria parasite's life cycle, inducing a high level of antibodies that block invasion into liver cells and inhibit growth. The multicomponent vaccine offers potential for improved protection against different parasite strains.
Researchers at Michigan Tech have developed a new sun-driven process to create liquid methanol from methane, a plentiful but often wasted gas. The process uses near-UV light and a titanium-based catalyst, promising to make natural gas more commercially viable and reduce emissions.
A landmark study found that cocaine and tobacco use significantly increased the risk of miscarriage in inner-city pregnant women. The study reported that 24% of the risk for miscarriage could be related to cocaine and tobacco use.
A study investigated the impact of local/short-haul operations on driver fatigue, identifying fatigu e and roadway design as top safety concerns. The research aimed to gain an understanding of general safety issues in L/SH trucking from drivers' perspectives.
Prof. Michal Schwartz's research reveals a unique relationship between the central nervous system and immune system, showing that immune cells can aid in healing damaged nerves. This discovery may lead to new treatments for nerve damage and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Researchers face challenges in measuring creative activities like research due to lack of standard tools and concerns about burden of reporting. A study by Dr. Susan Cozzens suggests that mixed-panel reviews incorporating input from potential users can improve assessment methods, but simplicity and autonomy are crucial for basic research.
A UPMC study of 124 depressed elderly participants found that a combination of medication and psychotherapy prevented depression recurrence in 80 percent of patients, while medication alone was effective in only 57 percent. The study suggests that continued treatment can significantly reduce the risk of recurrence.
Researchers have developed a new approach to solve multi-objective groundwater remediation problems, allowing decision-makers to weigh conflicting objectives like risk and cost. The Niched Pareto procedure will enable the creation of tradeoff curves to guide decision-making towards optimal solutions.
Researchers developed a game to help close the gap between clinician and patient values in rehabilitation, finding that patients prioritize cognitive skills over physical skills early on but clinicians prefer full independence. The game identifies disparities in preferences across different stages of recovery.
A new study reveals that more than half of children consume excessive amounts of fat, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The study found that most children exceeded the recommended levels of total fat intake and also had inadequate consumption of desirable monounsaturated fats.
The Institute of Medicine has elected 55 new members, bringing the total active membership to 574. The newly elected members include experts in various fields such as medicine, public health, and social sciences, who will contribute to ongoing studies on health policy issues.
A new report by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency examines the association between hormone-disrupting substances and observed effects in humans and wildlife. The study found potential links between EDSs and changes in reproductive health, behavior, and cancer incidence.
A research team led by Prof. Yitzhak Maron has developed a method to definitively determine how electricity flows through hot and dense plasmas. By measuring the electric current and its distribution in the plasma, scientists can gain crucial information on how to condense plasma more effectively for controlled fusion.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute created a 2D system to study fire propagation, revealing that flame dynamics follow simple laws governing penetration of liquids into porous materials. This breakthrough provides a low-cost alternative to studying fire in space and could aid in detecting slow-moving flames in aircraft.
Scientists will present research on the effects of environmental endocrine disruptors on human health and the environment. Studies have found links between pesticides, PCBs, and amphibian decline, as well as potential impacts on fetal development and cancer risk.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scientists have found that the BRCA1 gene is necessary for transcription-coupled repair of certain types of DNA damage, which can lead to breast and ovarian cancer. The study provides direct evidence of the gene's role in DNA repair and may help develop new treatments for cancer.
Weizmann Institute scientists develop a novel approach to heal damaged spinal cords in rats, regaining partial motor activity and movement. The treatment promotes the animal's own self-repair mechanism, paving the way for further research on human applications.
Researchers develop models to predict wearout and damage of undercarriages and rails due to stress, enabling early replacement and cost savings. The studies aim to improve the efficiency and safety of high-velocity trains.
Three experts recommend establishing a national office of drug safety to track and reduce prescription drug-related injuries, which could be the fourth-leading cause of death in the US. The proposed office should develop reliable estimates of deaths and serious injuries from prescription drugs.
Scientists have discovered that antibodies can recognize the orientation of amino acids, allowing them to bind only with specific handedness. This ability may be key to developing new, effective pharmaceuticals by identifying and sorting out left- and right-handed molecules.
A team of MIT researchers has identified a new battery material that is cheap, light, and powerful. The breakthrough was achieved by predicting the composition of the material via computer models and testing it successfully, paving the way for the widespread use of electric cars.
The SOAR telescope, a state-of-the-art facility in Chile, will enable researchers to study the universe like never before. It will collect 3,400 times more light than the original telescope, allowing for observations of dimmer objects and stars at greater distances.
Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory successfully marked selected internet traffic for priority service over unmarked traffic in a cross-country demonstration. The demonstration showcases a key milestone in the development of differentiated services, which will provide specialized services to network customers.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new test to assess rapid decision-making skills under heavy information load. The test, called the Abstract Decision Making task, was found to be predictive of performance in jobs such as emergency dispatching and air traffic control.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science demonstrate that observing electrons alters their behavior, changing from wave-like to particle-like behavior. The study shows that increasing detection can weaken interference patterns, while reducing detection strengthens them.
A recent study commissioned by President Clinton emphasizes the importance of nuclear power in meeting ambitious environmental goals. The report suggests that nuclear energy will be necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet growing energy demands.
Professors Michael Sela and Ruth Arnon have made significant contributions to the field of immunology with their development of synthetic vaccines and peptides. Their work has led to safer and more effective treatments for infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders.
A study of 456 nurses found that satisfaction accelerated as pay levels increased, suggesting that employers can't assume they know how pay raises will affect satisfaction. The researchers identified several reasons for this phenomenon, including long-term budget constraints and inadequate performance appraisal systems.
A new study reveals that insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes, is caused by a cellular 'short circuit' triggered by excessive protein phosphorylation and TNF secretion, potentially explaining the link between obesity and insulin resistance.
A new study reveals that adjusting the structural orientation of a soluble catalyst's molecules can dramatically improve its catalytic efficiency and selectivity. The researchers found that neatly arranged molecules are more efficient and easier to control chemical reactions.
A new study using optical imaging reveals that brain cells engaged in different tasks form mosaics with remarkable order and elegance. The research may assist in the development of artificial vision systems.
Chronic illnesses account for three quarters of healthcare costs. The article proposes a team-based approach to care, prioritizing collaboration between patients, physicians, and their families. This approach aims to enhance self-care and medical care by targeting specific problems and providing personalized support.
A Penn State study found that holiday cards can bring moderate pleasure and enhance feelings of well-being, even from distant contacts. The researchers discovered that recipients drew meaning from the cards as a way to maintain social ties and derive comfort from the continued existence of social connections.
Researchers found that imagining visual stimuli activates short-term memory, lowering the threshold of brightness for visual perception. This phenomenon suggests separate neural mechanisms control short- and long-term visual memory, with imagination enhancing visual abilities.
A study by Weizmann researchers suggests that a cell-suicide gene called DAP-kinase can prevent metastasis in cancer. The gene's proper functioning is essential for cells to die during different stages of metastasis, and its loss or malfunction can lead to unwanted cell proliferation and tumor development.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine is establishing a unique clinical trials unit to develop and test new therapies and vaccines for sexually transmitted diseases. The unit will focus on addressing major problems worldwide, including syphilis and gonorrhea, and will be the first of its kind in the US.
Researchers studied how garlic works at the molecular level, finding allicin disables dysentery-causing amoebas by blocking enzymes. This discovery supports garlic as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial drug with potential implications for fighting bacterial resistance and preventing heart disease.
Research at the Weizmann Institute found that the brain uses a frequency modulation (FM) receiver-like mechanism to decode sensory information gathered through touch. This discovery provides a possible new explanation for how the brain processes sensory input, and could lead to advances in understanding the neural code.
The University of Texas-Houston has established a Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) in scleroderma, a chronic disease with no known effective treatment or prevention. The center will conduct investigations into the genetic and environmental factors that affect susceptibility to the disease.
A new set of guidelines has been developed to assist physicians in dealing with wife abuse when the male and female partners are patients of the same physician. The guidelines prioritize autonomy, confidentiality, honesty, and quality care for both patients, while acknowledging that abused wives and their husbands have different needs.
Researchers developed a molecular radar system to track signaling enzymes inside cells, allowing them to map the exact progress of intercellular messengers during embryonic development. This achievement has valuable implications for understanding how signals are transferred inside cells and how they go awry in diseases like cancer.
The National Science Board will meet on August 20 at the National Science Foundation, addressing key topics such as industry reliance on publicly-funded research and federal support for scientific research. The agenda includes a media availability with NSB Chairman Dick Zare and NSF Director Neal Lane.
The National Science Board has approved new criteria for evaluating funding proposals, clearing the way for the first change in NSF's merit review process since 1981. The new criteria aim to better reflect the agency's strategic plan and incorporate feedback from the science and engineering community.
A Simon Fraser University study of 46 Romanian orphans found that one-third have significant development, social, and behavioral problems. The researchers recommend better preparation programs for adoptive parents, thorough medical checkups, and infant development programs to mitigate the impact of orphanage life.
A Wake Forest University professor's applied mathematics enable new adaptive optics technology to improve the sight of ground-based telescopes and new laser weapons, resulting in 'Hubble-like' improvements. The tech also enhances missile defense capabilities against enemy missiles and space junk.
The role of non-experts in science policymaking is crucial for informed decision making. Non-experts can learn enough to make intelligent decisions about funding and research, suggests expert Dr. Daniel Lee Kleinman. Democratizing science requires new policies to encourage cooperation between experts and non-experts.