News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that growth factors, known for controlling immune cell production, also increase the ability of immune cells to take up vitamin C. This discovery sheds light on the connection between vitamin C and the immune system, showing how growth factors can boost immune function.
Researchers have discovered a gene called ARF that attaches to and disables the MDM2 protein, helping to protect the body against cancer. This natural mechanism may be manipulated to treat cancer more effectively or detect it earlier.
Researchers use high-tech Ground Penetrating Radar to uncover ancient shell middens, revealing Native American cooking practices and sea-level changes in the area. The technique allows for non-invasive exploration of saltwater marshes, providing new insights into the region's history.
The James C. McGroddy Prize for New Materials aims to stimulate discovery and innovation in materials science. This award recognizes Dr. McGroddy's significant contributions to the field, including his work on semiconductors and III-V compounds.
IBM researchers Kirtley and Tsuei have made a major breakthrough in understanding high-temperature superconductors, resolving a long-standing question about the nature of electron pairs. Their discovery of d-wave pairing symmetry may lead to new materials with higher conductivity at even higher temperatures.
Researchers identified a rare genetic mutation in the Tricho-dento-osseous syndrome, which may hold clues for treating osteoporosis. The study found that people with TDO syndrome have exceptionally dense bones that fracture rarely, offering potential insights into improving bone density treatments.
Researchers create detailed 'movies' of deadly heart irregularity, discovering spiral waves that can be controlled using chaos techniques, offering a less energetic alternative to massive jolts.
Researchers at University of Toronto uncover how protein Src strengthens synaptic connections, enhancing memory and learning. This discovery could lead to new treatments for chronic pain and epilepsy.
Physicists have measured the rate of single proton release from highly deformed nuclei, offering insights into how nucleus shape affects radioactivity. The study reveals that these unusual shapes can significantly impact radioactivity rates, challenging conventional models.
The National Science Board will meet on February 25-27, 1998, to discuss various topics including graduate education, industry reliance on publicly funded research, and long-range planning. The meeting is open to the public, and media representatives are invited to attend.
Researchers found that female African frogs use a rapid series of loud clicks to attract mates, triggering a reciprocal signaling system. This discovery contradicts traditional views on mating habits and highlights the role of hormones in regulating vocalization and courtship behavior.
A third of patients with major depression remain undetected by primary care physicians for up to a year, leading to grave consequences. Patients who went undiagnosed reported nine times more role limitation from emotional problems than community residents without depression.
PhD scientist Ellen Heber-Katz presents groundbreaking findings on regenerative biology, using a mouse model to study epimorphic regeneration in humans. Her research may lead to treatments for organ replacement, chronic wounds, and spinal cord injuries.
Researchers at Henry Ford Health System discovered evidence that male brains shrink faster with age than female brains. Brain regions involved in thinking, planning and memory show greater age-related shrinkage in men. The findings may help explain sex differences in age-related brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
New research reveals a link between the immune system and neuropathic pain, suggesting potential approaches to treating chronic pain. Investigators discovered that cytokines play a key role in producing pain-associated behaviors.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have obtained a detailed picture of an alkane-activation reaction at room temperature using ultrafast spectroscopic techniques. The study sheds light on the mechanism of alkane activation, bringing scientists closer to converting alkanes into chemically useful products.
The discovery of 92-million-year-old fossil ants in New Jersey amber confirms the existence of ants during the Age of Dinosaurs. The fossils show a metapleural gland, essential for ants' social system and ecological dominance.
The Emory University Fragile X Group will investigate molecular, neurological, and biochemical approaches to clarify the fragile X syndrome, a cause of inherited mental retardation in humans. The team aims to develop model systems and explore potential therapeutic strategies.
Astrophysicists have solved a decades-old mystery with the identification of gamma-ray burst counterparts, leading to a deeper understanding of the universe's early stages. Dr. Jan van Paradijs' discovery of an optical counterpart for a gamma-ray burst in 1997 marked a significant breakthrough.
Researchers found a brain region thought to control language is proportionately the same size in humans and chimpanzees, challenging a long-standing theory. The planum temporale, located beneath the parietal cortex, demonstrates similar asymmetry in both species, raising questions about chimp communication.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a chlamydia vaccine that could prevent the leading cause of female infertility in the US. The vaccine targets a specific molecule present in all types of chlamydia, overcoming previous challenges in creating a vaccine for this bacterium.
A team of internationally renowned scientists returns from a month-long deep sea scientific expedition off the coast of Cuba, discovering four brand new species and 26 previously unknown fish. The expedition used advanced technology to explore coral reefs and shipwrecks, shedding light on underwater conservation.
The second Dynamics Days international conference will bring together experts in chaos, nonlinear dynamics, and complex systems to share their research. Speakers will discuss topics such as internet storms, animal coordination, extinction causes, and pattern formations.
Researchers discovered a simple mechanism of aging in yeast cells, where extrachromosomal ribosomal DNA (ERCs) replicates until the cell dies. ERCs' accumulation causes enlargement and fragmentation of the nucleolus, leading to cell death, suggesting a potential target for intervening aging processes.
In 1997, scientists made significant discoveries in cloning, with the cloning of Dolly sparking debate on ethics and potential benefits. The year also saw major breakthroughs in Mars exploration, gamma ray bursts, and advances in genetic understanding, including the identification of clock genes and microbial genomes.
Researchers at Northwestern University Medical School found that resveratrol in red wine is a form of estrogen with cardioprotective properties. Moderate consumption of red wine may reduce cardiovascular disease risk due to its resveratrol content, which activates estrogen receptors and increases HDL cholesterol.
Researchers discover new protein AD7c-NTP significantly elevated in brain tissue of people with Alzheimer's disease, even in early stages. The protein's presence suggests a possible role in the disease's progression and potential as a diagnostic tool.
Researchers have identified 80% of the genes active in the cardiovascular system, creating a comprehensive database that sheds light on the genetic mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding complex diseases and developing new diagnostic tests and therapies.
Researchers at Penn State found that northeastern Yellowstone mudpots emit significantly higher levels of carbon dioxide, up to 32,000 grams per square meter per day. This discovery contradicts previous assumptions that active geysers were the primary source of CO2 emissions.
JoAnn Burkholder, a North Carolina State University researcher, was awarded the 1998 Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award for her unyielding pursuit of knowledge about Pfiesteria piscicida, a microbe devastating U.S. rivers and fish. Her research led to the identification of the toxin's chemical structure and faster-acting poiso...
Scientists predict small-scale spark channels form at the breakdown points, propelled upward with velocities as fast as one-tenth of the speed of light. The new model explains recent observations of sprites, including intense bursts of blue light and radio waves in the extremely low frequency band.
Researchers detected intense X-rays in seven bursts, each lasting for half an hour, emanating from the Earth's upper atmosphere. The high-energy bursts were recorded during the day with no auroral activity overhead, posing a scientific mystery that scientists are struggling to explain.
Penn State researchers develop a finite difference method to simulate sonic boom noise for both simple and complex ocean surfaces. The new technique allows for accurate predictions of underwater noise, paving the way for the development of supersonic passenger aircraft with minimal impact on marine life.
Researchers are exploring unmodified monoclonal antibodies, or 'naked mAbs', as a potential therapy for cancer. These antibodies can trigger programmed cell death in cancer cells, restoring control mechanisms that have gone awry in the disease.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found a way to increase vitamin C levels in the brain by crossing the blood brain barrier. They achieved this by injecting dehydroascorbic acid, which is converted to ascorbic acid in the brain.
Researchers discovered muscle dysmorphia, a disorder causing individuals to obsess over their bodies, leading to detrimental habits like steroid abuse. The study emphasizes the importance of public health implications as weightlifting gains popularity.
Researchers have developed a novel gene-therapy strategy to target HIV-infected cells using the virus's molecular tools against it. The technique, which employs therapeutic genes only in infected cells, has broad applicability and could potentially cure HIV infection.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center found that chronic exposure to nicotine stimulates and permanently inactivates two prominent subtypes of acetylcholine receptors, leading to tolerance. Habitual users become dependent on nicotine through neural reward pathways similar to other addictive drugs.
Researchers successfully cloned a gene responsible for inherited deafness in a large extended family in Costa Rica, revealing insights into hearing mechanisms. The autosomal dominant gene DFNA1 causes progressive hearing loss between ages 6 and 20, with the mutation tracing back to a common ancestor in 1713.
Researchers discovered a protein, Apaf-3, that signals apoptosis and is essential for life. The study's findings may lead to the development of more effective cancer treatments by activating the cell death pathway.
A study found a link between high blood pressure and sexual problems in premenopausal women, with difficulties in achieving orgasm and inadequate vaginal lubrication being associated with the condition. The researchers hope their findings will encourage physicians to ask about sexuality when treating patients.
Researchers will analyze complex human thought processes using brain imaging to discover how the human operating system works. The project aims to develop displays and interfaces that keep information processing requirements within the human range, particularly in high-stress environments.
A new research tool developed at USC promises to speed dramatically the hunt for disease-causing genes by reconstructing gene layouts. The ExonPCR technique uses a series of 'yes' or 'no' answers, similar to the parlor game '20 Questions,' to narrow down possibilities and solve the riddle.
Researchers create a novel form of botulinum toxin that survives the gastrointestinal system and can be used as an effective oral vaccine. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for developing vaccines against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered a novel leukemia-producing transcription factor called E2A-HLF, which transforms immature lymphocytes by preventing normal destruction programs. This finding provides a potential window into understanding leukemias that result from altered survival signals.
Lee R. Berger receives the top prize for his groundbreaking discoveries in southern Africa, including the oldest known footprints of an anatomically modern human dating back 117,000 years. He aims to piece together data on the environment that spawned early humans.
Researchers have identified a critical nicotinic receptor in the brain that may contribute to the development of epilepsy, Alzheimer
A portable, hand-held biosensor has been developed to detect a wide range of medically important chemical compounds. The device, capable of detecting tiny concentrations of specific molecules, may represent a new type of practical and affordable device for various medical applications.
Researchers found that using Interferon-alpha, a cancer treatment agent, can extend the preservation time of donor livers and improve their function. This novel approach may significantly help future liver transplant patients by allowing for more time to prepare the organ.
Researchers have detected unusual light patterns from faint stars in a globular cluster, suggesting catastrophic star interactions. The study's findings reveal that these clusters are regions of intense stellar activity, with stars locked in orbital duets that can prevent core collapse into black holes.
Researchers used tree-ring analysis to confirm a devastating 1700 earthquake along the Pacific Northwest coast triggered a tsunami that flooded coastal Japan. The study provides new evidence for the Cascadia subduction zone's role in earthquakes of magnitude 9.
University of Delaware professor Daniel van der Weide will receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from the National Science Foundation. The award recognizes his efforts to develop ultra-small instruments and techniques for polishing and characterizing semiconductor integrated circuits.
Researchers have discovered fossilized termite nests in the sandstone pillars of New Mexico, with some reaching depths of over 120 feet. The ancient structures contain interconnected galleries and chambers similar to those found in modern social termite nests, providing insights into past biodiversity conditions.
Researchers discovered a protein sensitive to chemical stimuli and tissue-damaging levels of heat, identifying capsaicin as the key player. The cloned gene enables large-scale production of the protein, paving the way for potential pain-controlling drugs.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that glucocorticoid can inhibit expression of TNF-alpha gene, halting inflammation and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Understanding this mechanism could lead to better drugs with fewer side effects.
A study of over 1,700 older adults found a strong association between frequent religious services and lower levels of inflammation. Researchers discovered that attending church regularly was only half as likely to have elevated interleukin-6 levels, which can indicate immune system dysfunction.
The Comet Nucleus Tour mission, led by Cornell University, aims to study the composition of comet nuclei and assess their diversity. The mission will take images and comparative spectral maps of at least three comet nuclei, analyzing dust and gas flowing from them.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are developing a portable evidence-detection system that uses flashing lights and modified goggles to make organic substances appear to blink. The system aims to help police investigators quickly find potential evidence in lighted rooms, reducing the time spent on crime scene investigations.
The FDA has approved the first phase of a new AIDS vaccine developed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which aims to trigger immune responses to multiple HIV isolates using envelope proteins. The vaccine combines 23 different envelopes representing various HIV strains and is expected to last one to two years.
Scientists have identified a new genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, accounting for up to 15% of cases. The gene located on chromosome 12 works independently of the previously discovered ApoE gene, which accounts for half of all patients with the disease.