Polymer Patterns
Researchers create microscopic patterns on surfaces using microcontact printing, then build up layers of a polymer material over the pattern. The technique enables complex pattern creation and automation of the patterning process.
Discovery Research
News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
Semiconductors With A Twist
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a technique to grow pure, defect-free single crystals of almost any material on any substrate by bonding thin films at a misaligned angle. The new method has the potential to revolutionize electronics manufacturing by overcoming current limitations.
Scientists Discover Protein In Mammals Tuned To Respond To What May Be Hottest Temperature Our Nerves Can Detect
Researchers have identified a receptor protein in rodents and humans that can detect temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, expanding the range of temperatures for which nerve receptors are known. The discovery holds promise for better understanding pain and developing drugs to block pain.
Radio Signals Help Scientists Trace Lightning-Associated 'Sprites'
Scientists have developed a new method to study sprites, the high-altitude companions of lightning strikes, using radio signals. By analyzing these signals, researchers can now estimate the number of sprites spawned by a single thunderstorm with greater accuracy.
Researchers Develop First Way To Immunize Against A Deadly Bacterium
A new way to immunize against the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium has been developed, providing a fresh alternative to antibiotics in fighting this deadly microbe. The antibody blocks the toxin delivery system, allowing lung cells to mount a defense and prevent delivery of toxins.
Women's Social Support Worth More Than Men's
A recent study found that women's social support is more effective than men's in reducing both men's and women's blood pressure under stress. The researchers discovered that female listeners provided a modest systolic blood pressure increase of 25mmHg, while male listeners caused an average increase of 32mmHg.
Possible Mechanism For Estrogen Memory Enhancement Found
Researchers found that estrogen activates neurotransmitter receptors, increasing neuronal activity and long-term potentiation, a process linked to memory and cognitive function. The study suggests estrogen may play a key role in delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists Discover Molecular Trigger Of Mucus Production, Suggesting First Treatment For Deadly Bronchitis, Other Diseases
Researchers at UCSF discovered a molecular trigger that initiates uncontrolled mucus production, affecting millions worldwide. They suggest targeting this messenger to develop strategies to control mucus production and prevent airway blockage.
SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 16, 1999
Novel Biological Interaction Found To Explain Blood Vessel Growth To Tumors
Duke University researchers found that angiostatin works by depleting the chemical energy needed for blood vessel cells to grow. This discovery offers a novel insight into the body's use of ATPsynthase as a power pack and suggests a new route to developing drugs to block tumor growth.
SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 16, 1999
Blocking Autoimmunity Naturally
Researchers at Weizmann Institute identify protein IL-18BP, which blocks production of interferon-gamma in T cells, a major substance released by immune cells under the influence of interleukin 18. This discovery may lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases and organ transplants.
Scientists Link Body Weight Regulation And Immune System Control
Researchers discover a gene, mahogany, that regulates obesity in mice, linking it to the immune system. The protein, made inside cells, passes through membranes to detect hormones, potentially leading to new treatment options for obesity.
Weighing The Invisible: "Nanobalance" Based On Carbon Nanotubes Shows New Application For Nanomechanics
Scientists at Georgia Tech create a device that can accurately measure the mass of small particles by inducing resonance in individual carbon nanotubes. This technique has potential for weighing viruses and other sub-micron scale particles.
Researchers Discover Genetic Mutation For Rare Form Of Dwarfism
Researchers discovered a genetic mutation responsible for a rare form of treatable dwarfism, affecting 105 family members in northeastern Brazil. The study suggests the mutation could be used as a prenatal screening test for the disorder.
SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMar 2, 1999
Researchers Uncover Revolutionary New Physics Discovery
A new chemical sequence has been uncovered, casting doubt on long-held equilibrium theory and clearing the way for kinetic chemistry. The finding breaks the strong bond between carbon and oxygen atoms under intense radioactivity conditions.
A Real Smart Asp: Snakes Show Surprising Ability To Learn
Researchers found that snakes use vision to locate places and rely on visual cues to escape a maze-like arena. Younger snakes are more adaptable, while older ones focus on visual cues.
AIDS Virus May Evolve Differently In Cerebrospinal Fluid Compared With Blood In Some Patients, UCSF/Gladstone Research Finds
Research reveals that the AIDS virus in cerebrospinal fluid evolves independently of the virus in the blood, leading to two genetically distinct forms. This finding suggests that drugs effective against HIV-1 in blood may not be effective in the central nervous system, and vice versa.
Search For Iron Transport Mechanism Leads To "Hephaestus," God Of Metal Working,Who Insight Into Iron-Deficiency Anemia
The discovery of the Hephaestin gene offers insight into a cause of iron-deficiency anemia, revealing an intimate relationship between copper and iron metabolism. The protein facilitates transport of iron from the intestines to the body's circulatory system.
Skeletal Muscle Yields Precursors Of Bone Cells That Form Bone When Transplanted Into Animals
University of Pittsburgh researchers isolated bone-precursor cells from skeletal muscle and genetically altered them to produce bone growth. Injecting these cells into mice showed they could form bone inside the animals. This discovery may lead to targeted treatments for incomplete fractures.
Hunter College Biologist Marie Filbin Identifies Mechanism That Blocks All Inhibitors Of Nerve Regeneration; Breakthrough Reported In Neuron Magazine
Marie Filbin's research discovery reveals a way to overcome the inhibiting function of MAG and other molecules that prevent axon regrowth after injury. By priming neurons with neurotrophins, she reverses inhibition and enables regeneration.
UNC Professor One Of 10 International Recipients Of A $1 Million McDonnell Foundation Centennial Fellowship
Dr. Keith Wailoo, a UNC associate professor, has been awarded a $1 million James S. McDonnell Centennial Fellowship to study disease and biomedicine in the 20th century. He will investigate how people's ideas about illnesses like breast cancer and sickle cell anemia have changed over time.
Hopkins, Israeli Scientists Link Soybeans With Pain Relief
Scientists have discovered that laboratory rats fed soy meal develop less pain after nerve injury than those on a soy-free diet. The research suggests that diet could be an important factor in the expression of nerve-injury pain in rats, and may offer possibilities for understanding individual differences in pain perception.
Researchers Find Genetic Connection To Cigarette Smoking
Researchers discovered a link between the dopamine transporter gene (SLC6A3-9) and cigarette smoking behavior. Individuals carrying this gene were less likely to start smoking before age 16 and more likely to quit smoking, with an average of one and a half times greater success rate.
Scientist Fancies Frogs For Pain Research
Dr. Craig Stevens, a leading pain researcher, has developed an alternative model using northern grass frogs to investigate the effects of morphine and other opioid drugs on humans. His research shows significant similarities between amphibians and mammals in terms of pain response.
Wistar Professor Awarded W.W. Smith Charitable Trust Grant for Work in Heart Research
Dr. Francesca Marassi, a Wistar professor, has been awarded a $228,000 grant from The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust to study the molecular structure of PLM, a protein that regulates cardiac muscle contractions. This research aims to understand how mutated amino acids affect PLM functions and develop therapeutic treatments.
National USDA Center For Food Gene Data
The new genomics center will be linked to several institutions, including the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and will strengthen existing databases for grain and plant genetics. This partnership aims to provide an internationally valuable resource for research storage and analysis of genetic data.
New Method Of Dating Past Earthquakes, Assessing Future Ones Discovered
A new way of dating earthquakes has been developed by Vanderbilt University researcher Jay S. Noller, allowing for a more precise timeline of past quakes and a more accurate assessment of future quake probabilities. By studying bedrock formations, Noller was able to determine the timing, frequency, and likelihood of future quakes.
Gene Once Thought To Program Ovarian Development Instead Found To Be Critical For Production Of Sperm
Research reveals that the AHC gene, previously thought to program ovarian development, is actually crucial for male fertility. Males lacking this gene have defective testicles and are sterile. The study also found that overexpression of the AHC gene can interfere with the function of a key protein involved in testicular development.
Vion's TAPET Organisms Demonstrate Reduced Virulence, Increased Safety While Retaining Ability To Specifically Target Tumors
Researchers have genetically modified Salmonella bacteria to reduce virulence and increase safety while retaining tumor-targeting properties. The modified bacteria exhibit reduced ability to induce TNF-alpha and cause septic shock, making them safer for human use.
New Discovery Offers Hope For Controlling Cholesterol, Atherosclerosis
Researchers have found a protein in the small intestine that directly facilitates uptake of dietary lipids, making it a promising target for drugs to combat obesity and heart disease. The discovery has the potential to significantly reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and may help treat conditions such as artherosclerosis.
Scientists Show That Normal-looking Cells In Cervical Cancer May Be Abnormal
Researchers use infrared spectroscopy to analyze over 2,000 individual cervical cells from women with dysplasia and cervical cancer, finding that normal-looking cells have distinct abnormal spectra. This could simplify Pap test evaluation and lead to earlier cancer detection and prevention.
SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 1998
ScienceAnnounces Top Ten Research Advances Of 1998
The accelerating universe is the top research advance of 1998, with scientists discovering that galaxies are flying apart at ever faster speeds. Researchers also made significant progress in understanding circadian rhythms, which could provide insight into overcoming jet lag and winter depression.
NSF-Funded Research Heads Science Magazine's Top Ten Advances Of 1998
NSF-supported astronomers discovered that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, driven by a yet unknown force. Circadian rhythms research also made significant progress, with discoveries on genes regulating molecular cycles in fruit flies and cyanobacteria.
Science Magazine Announces Breakthrough Of The Year: Berkeley Lab's Supernova Cosmology Project A Winner
Physicists and astronomers observe distant supernovae to determine the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, implying a mysterious property of space first proposed by Albert Einstein. The discovery was made possible by a unique collaboration between researchers using supercomputer facilities and powerful telescopes.
Receptor May Increase Risk Of Urinary Tract Infections
A newly discovered glycosphingolipid receptor may help explain susceptibility to urinary tract infections and provide a potential new treatment strategy. The receptor, called sialosyl galactosyl globoside (SGG), is suspected to be on urogenital tract cells in about 30% of all men and women, binding strongly to E. coli bacteria.
Gene Discovery Paves Way For Preventing Deadly Bacterial Shock
Scientists have identified a gene that plays a crucial role in detecting bacterial infections, potentially leading to the prevention of endotoxic shock. The discovery may enable the creation of a test to screen for people with genetic defects and provide a new approach to preventing deadly infections.
Filamentary Structure Of Atmospheric Sprites Confirmed
Researchers at Stanford University have observed the detailed structure of red sprites, finding thousands of vertical and tilted streamers with branching patterns. The findings suggest that electrostatic charge buildup in the atmosphere creates these spark channels, which ionize air molecules and produce glowing red streamers.
Blood-Flow Study Helps UT Southwestern Researchers Shed New Light On Childhood Muscular Dystrophy
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found a link between nitric oxide and skeletal muscle function, shedding new light on Duchenne dystrophy. The study reveals that nitric oxide plays a key role in regulating blood flow to contracting muscles.
SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 1998
Research Grant To Wistar Institute Involves Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation In Breast Cancer Research
The Wistar Institute has been awarded a $20,000 grant to support continued research on TALL-104 cells, which show promise in treating breast cancer. The grant allows the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation to be involved in supporting clinical trials for new treatments and perhaps a cure.
New Discovery Is Potential Key To Obesity Treatment
Researchers at Amgen have demonstrated how a newly discovered protein regulates feeding behavior, suggesting a potential treatment for obesity. The study found that the protein blocks alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, leading to increased food consumption.
Tracking A Killer's Progression
A recent study by UK researchers reveals how the Yersinia pestis bacterium uses its YopM toxin to target and destroy phagocytic cells, crippling the immune response. The findings provide new insights into bacterial causes of disease and cell biology, potentially leading to improved therapies for various diseases.
Alcohol Consumption, Resistance To Its Effects Related To Levels Of Neurotransmitter, Say UW Researchers
Scientists found that genetically altered mice with altered neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels exhibited changes in alcohol consumption behavior. Mice lacking NPY drank more, while those with high NPY levels consumed less and were more sensitive to the sedative effects of alcohol.
Chinese And US Scientists Identify The World's Oldest Flowering Plant
Chinese and US researchers have identified the world's oldest flowering plant, a 140-million-year-old fossil found in northeast China. The plant predates the previous oldest-known flower by over 25 million years, shedding light on the origins of flowering plants.
Montana State University Scientist Contributes To Latest Dinosaur Discovery
A team of scientists, including MSU's Frankie Jackson, discovered a rare dinosaur embryo in Patagonia, Argentina, with implications for understanding sauropod reproduction. The find confirms the identity of the embryo as belonging to a type of plant-eating dinosaur.
LSU Agricultural Center Researchers Develop Termite Detection System
The new detection system, developed by Dr. Gregg Henderson and his team, samples the air in building walls to analyze for termites' unique gases. Early detection could prevent significant damage, saving homeowners millions annually.
Discovery Of Mutation May Lead To Help For Male Fertility Problems
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a mutation that prevents sperm maturation in mice, which could lead to treatments for male sterility and development of new male contraceptives. The morc gene is expressed only in males during the earliest stages of sperm production.
SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 24, 1998
Tumor Protein Structure Found At Cornell
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered the three-dimensional structure of a protein that helps build new blood vessels, feeding cancerous tumors. This understanding may lead to more effective anti-cancer drugs with fewer side effects.
Study Proves Unequal Leg Length Can Contribute To Osteoarthritis
Researchers found a strong association between leg length discrepancies of two centimeters or more and an increased risk of knee arthritis by up to 70 percent. Simple adjustments, such as special shoes or exercises, could help prevent or slow progression of osteoarthritis in millions of people.
NYU researchers: Plants have signaling mechanism similar to one in human brain
Researchers found genes encoding for glutamate receptors in plants, indicating a common cell-to-cell communication system between plants and animals. This discovery may explain why certain plants produce neuroactive compounds that activate human brain receptors.
The Wistar Institute Receives $1 Million From Pew Charitable Trusts for Recruitment
The Wistar Institute has received a three-year grant to recruit and equip laboratories of new scientific investigators in regeneration, signal transduction, and brain tumor research. The institute is grateful for the support, which will help transform its programs and attract high-quality scientists.
First Derivation Of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Reported In Science
Scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison successfully derive human embryonic stem cells (hES cells), which can form all cell types and tissues, holding great promise for transplantation medicine and drug discovery. The availability of hES cells opens extraordinary opportunities for tissue transplantation and cell and gene therapy ...
Researcher Finds World's Most Diverse Home Of Slime Molds
A Guatemalan forest has been identified as the world's most diverse home of slime molds, with over 1,000 species collected by Ohio University researcher James Cavender. The discovery highlights the importance of these ancient organisms in maintaining soil health and fertility.
Genetic Code Of Chromosome Of Malaria Parasite Deciphered
A team of researchers has determined the complete genetic sequence of Plasmodium falciparum's chromosome, identifying over 200 genes crucial for parasite functions and potential targets for new anti-malaria drugs. The findings may help develop a vaccine and improve treatment options for this deadly disease.
University Of Chicago Professor Wins $50,000 Bristol-Myers Squibb Award For Distinguished Achievement In Infectious Disease Research
Bernard Roizman's research has laid the groundwork for current efforts to develop a vaccine against HSV and gene therapies. He identified essential genes in viral replication, including a protease enzyme targeted by pharmaceutical companies.
Earth's Inner Core Has Distinct Layers, Geologists Report In Earthquake Study
Researchers have found that the Earth's inner core consists of two distinct parts: a lower area surrounded by an uneven upper layer with different material properties. This discovery is likely to affect the current model of how the Earth and its magnetic field came into being.
6,000 Pharmaceutical Scientists Convene November 15-19 In San Francisco
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting will focus on key topics such as emerging trends in drug design and development. Recent research also highlights the risks of sound-alike drugs causing prescription errors and the impact of high altitudes on drug efficacy.
Breakthrough In Understanding The Biology Of Fat-- UCSF/Gladstone Scientists Discover Gene For Key Enzyme
Researchers at UCSF and the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease have discovered a gene that encodes DGAT, a key enzyme in fat production. This finding has implications for understanding human energy cycles, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 27, 1998
ASU Archaeologist Discovers Possible Key To Mysteries Of Teotihuacan
A recent excavation at the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan has uncovered a skeleton and 150 surrounding artifacts dating back to approximately 100 A.D. The burial is suspected to have belonged to one of the city's rulers, providing critical information that could revolutionize modern understanding of Teotihuacan's culture and history.
DOE Joint Human Genome Effort Exceeds Sequencing Goal
The Joint Genome Institute has exceeded its goal of sequencing 20 million base pairs for fiscal year 1998 and is on track to complete the entire human genome project in five years. The JGI's advanced technologies have enabled it to reach rates of over 2.5 million base pairs per month.
University Of Pittsburgh Chosen By NCI As One Of Three Pioneer Sites ForBiocombinatorial Chemistry Research
The University of Pittsburgh has been chosen as one of three pioneer sites for biocombinatorial chemistry research, a revolutionary approach to speed up drug discovery. Researchers will create novel chemical compounds and test them in specific assays to learn whether they can interrupt cellular activities that lead to cancer.
Physicians With Questions About Patients Don't Seek Help At The Computer
Despite electronic information retrieval systems, physicians often rely on colleagues, outdated textbooks, and non-relevant scientific journals due to time-consuming searches and limited relevance. Researchers advocate for better systems and further research to improve physician access to high-quality online medical information.