Articles tagged with Laboratories
Dr. Susana Martinez-Conde and her team will record neural activity in the brain's visual areas to understand why images appear stable during fixation. They aim to determine at what level of the brain visual perception becomes stable, shedding light on this critical aspect of our visual experience.
NCAR has added a powerful BlueGene/L system to the TeraGrid, providing up to 4.5 million processor-hours of computing power annually. This enhances the nation's comprehensive infrastructure for open scientific research, increasing the TeraGrid's total computing capability and data storage.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a technique to precisely control the spectral properties of ultrafast light pulses, enabling the creation of advanced optical sensors for detecting hazardous materials and pollutants. The technique, called optical arbitrary waveform generation, also has potential applications in ultra-sen...
A cost-effective approach for generating siRNA molecules, called esiRNAs, is described in the article. This method allows scientists to efficiently target virtually any gene in mammalian cells, enabling large-scale studies of gene function.
Researchers found that the genetic variation in laboratory mice is vastly greater than previously thought, with 8.3 million variations described. The pedigrees of the 15 mouse strains studied differ from each other to a far greater degree than previously assumed.
The University of Leeds is joining forces with leading Chinese scientists in membrane and neurobiology to enhance research outputs and international profiles. The partnership aims to collaborate on studies focusing on ion channels, membrane transporters, and the flow of membranes between cellular compartments.
NIST researchers evaluated prototype two-way translation systems in laboratory and outdoor tests with English-speaking U.S. Marines and Iraqi Arabic speakers. The TRANSTAC program focuses on English and Iraqi Arabic translation capabilities, aiming to improve field translators and enable real-time communication in critical situations.
Researchers at the Midwest Forensics Resource Center are developing a library of forensic ink profiles using Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) mass spectrometry. The new technique allows for faster and more detailed analysis of inks, enabling forensic scientists to differentiate between inks like never before.
The journal highlights two articles on cutting-edge bioinformatics software programs, including a user's guide to BLAST and a computational pipeline for identifying DNA variants. These tools enable biologists to analyze large-scale data, infer gene functions, and identify disease predictors.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory cloned the band gene, finding it's an allele of ras-1, which plays a crucial role in circadian rhythms. The study uses Neurospora crassa as a model organism, demonstrating how a dominant point mutation in ras-1 affects circadian growth cycles.
A new study reveals that raising chimpanzees in a human cultural environment enhances their cognitive abilities, particularly in understanding how tools work. The researchers found that enculturated chimpanzees excelled in using rakes to retrieve rewards, demonstrating a deeper understanding of tool functionality.
A study has identified a common gene, GAB2, that appears to increase a person's risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. The researchers found that the healthy form of the GAB2 gene may protect brain cells from developing tangles, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awarded $3.79 million to the Burnham Institute for the development of a shared laboratory and expansion of its training courses in human embryonic stem cell research. This funding will support the Institute's partner institutes and researchers, including those at the San Diego Consorti...
A $1.7 million grant will help improve and standardize hormone measurements, specifically testosterone, among laboratories nationwide. The project aims to better diagnose and manage hormone-related diseases like hypogonadism in men.
Cornell researchers identified a dozen triterpenoids in apple peel with potent anti-proliferative activities against human liver, colon, and breast cancer cells. The compounds may be responsible for the anti-cancer properties of whole apples.
Dr. David Serreze receives JDRF's Grodsky award for his outstanding contributions to the study of diabetic immunology. The award recognizes his leadership and innovation in accelerating the pace of diabetes research.
Researchers created a dynamic model to understand cellular signaling pathways in C. elegans, revealing gaps in current understanding and potential for future exploration of biological systems. The model can predict how cells respond to gene mutations and signals, saving laboratory time and resources.
A study by Queensland University of Technology found that droplets carrying viruses can travel large distances in the air, posing a risk to people breathing nearby. The research dispels the myth that viruses only travel a short distance from a person, suggesting that one infected individual can spread the virus simply by exhaling.
A RAND Corporation report found mixed results from laboratory tests of Save the World Air's ZEFS device, suggesting its effectiveness in reducing tailpipe pollutants and increasing fuel efficiency is uncertain. Further testing is needed to confirm or refute the technology's performance.
Researchers are developing a new type of particle accelerator that could lead to more effective cancer treatment, greener electricity, and reduced nuclear waste. The CONFORM* project aims to build a non-scaling fixed field alternating gradient (NS-FFAG) accelerator, which has the potential to be used in medical applications, renewable ...
A study by Mayo Clinic found that adalimumab is an effective treatment for adults with Crohn’s disease who do not respond to infliximab therapy. The therapy was shown to achieve remission in 21% of patients and improve symptoms in 52%.
Scientists develop methods to mark genes and proteins using stable isotopes and fluorescent markers, enabling the tracking of metabolic shifts and chromosomal abnormalities. These methods provide valuable tools for understanding biological processes and diseases such as Down syndrome and cancer.
A study by Dr. Irene Davis shows that biofeedback on abnormal mechanics can lower the risk of stress fractures and pain under the kneecap in runners. By retraining runners to change their faulty gaits, Dr. Davis reduced leg shock by 50% and completely eliminated pain under the kneecap in most participants.
A study by Columbia's Primate Cognition Laboratory found that monkeys can acquire meta-cognitive skills, reflecting on their thought process and assessing performance. This ability has far-reaching implications for understanding cognitive development in infants and autistic children.
A new study suggests that antibiotic therapy for diabetic foot infections can be predicted using specific laboratory and clinical tests. The study found that deep wounds or high white blood cell counts significantly increased the risk of bad outcomes.
Shirley J. Dyke successfully tested wireless sensors in a simulated structural control setting, demonstrating their potential to reduce damage from earthquakes. The technology has the potential to enable less manpower requirements and far less remodeling of existing structures.
A new study found that doctors are treating patients with early symptoms of a heart attack with the same level of urgency as those with later-confirmed cases. This suggests that doctors are using alternative data sources, such as patient history and electrocardiogram results, to make treatment decisions.
Researchers identified a candidate gene called DARC that may underlie differences in bone density between African-Americans and Caucasians. The study found that the DARC gene negatively regulates bone density in mice, and inhibiting its function could lead to therapies for osteoporosis.
The Structural Genomics Consortium has determined the 3D structure of PARP3, a protein of significant relevance to diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. The available data can accelerate early-phase drug development projects and contribute to a better understanding of disease mechanisms.
Researchers Twan Gielen designed a simulation programme to study the interactions between oil and water in a controlled environment. The model shows how capillary pressure affects oil and water movement, providing insights into contaminated groundwater behaviour.
Researchers at École Polytechnique de Montréal have successfully guided a microdevice inside an artery using computer control and a clinical MRI system. The breakthrough could enable interventional medicine to target inaccessible sites using nanorobots.
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund has awarded a total of $8.25 million to support established physician-scientists conducting translational research. This funding will enable these researchers to explore scientific questions, apply their knowledge at the bedside, and bring insights back to the laboratory.
Researchers successfully created a magnetic field in a highly turbulent flow of liquid sodium, exhibiting remarkable similarities with cosmic magnetic fields. This breakthrough advances our understanding of the mechanisms behind the formation of natural magnetic fields.
Researchers at Salk Institute find epidermis controls plant growth signals, allowing them to manipulate growth pathways. Dwarf Arabidopsis plants that lack BRI1 receptor expression are made larger by driving its expression in the outer layer.
A series of articles provides tried-and-true advice on maintaining and manipulating flies, inducing mutations, harvesting and analyzing embryos, and characterizing proteins. These protocols are designed to be easy to use at the bench, with reagents, equipment, and recipe lists.
Researchers mapped neurons in zebrafish spinal cords to understand how they control movement speed, revealing a surprising pattern that regulates slow and fast movements. The study opens a door to basic understanding of spinal cord architecture and function.
A study published in Archives of Ophthalmology confirms the effectiveness of genetic testing in diagnosing complex retinal diseases. The research found that genetic testing confirmed a clinician's diagnosis in half of the tested cases, providing crucial information for healthcare professionals.
The latest issue of Cold Spring Harbor Protocols provides guidance on choosing plant tissues, designing test proteins, and setting up microscope equipment to detect green fluorescent protein (GFP) in plants. This information is essential for researchers interested in plant biology and imaging technologies.
Researchers at Ames Laboratory have developed a novel composite material that combines tungsten and metallic glass to create an armor-piercing projectile. The nanostructured material exhibits self-sharpening behavior, making it a potential replacement for depleted uranium in kinetic energy penetrators.
Researchers at the Hollings Marine Laboratory have uncovered a subtle chemical pathway by which Pfiesteria piscicida can produce a lethal toxin. The discovery resolves a long-standing mystery surrounding occasional mass fish kills on the East Coast.
Scientists have developed a method to rapidly separate blood plasma without moving parts, leveraging the phenomenon of tea leaves accumulating at the center of a stirred teacup. This technique could significantly speed up medical tests, such as cholesterol level checks and glucose testing for diabetics.
Researchers at US DOE's Ames Laboratory have developed a material with a negative refractive index for visible light, marking a significant advance in the field of metamaterials. The silver-based mesh-like material has a refractive index of -0.6 at the red end of the visible spectrum.
Researchers can now observe live cells for extended periods using advanced microscopy techniques, allowing them to study complex cellular processes and identify potential avenues for disease treatment. The new protocols provide a comprehensive toolkit for scientists to visualize and analyze cell movement, growth, and function.
Researchers at NIST and NREL demonstrate a simple laser-based method for purifying raw nanotube materials, significantly reducing impurities. The technique uses carefully calibrated laser pulses to react with contaminants, resulting in cleaner samples that can be used in various applications.
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has licensed its Adaptive Scanning Optical Microscope (ASOM) technology to Thorlabs Inc. The ASOM enables the automation of challenging laboratory tasks, such as diagnosing cancer and discovering new drugs. It provides high-resolution images of large sample areas without sacrificing image quality.
Researchers developed a rapid 3D cell-growth technique that produces organized heart muscle tissue capable of generating pulsating forces and reacting to stimulation. The technique uses fibrin gel to support rat cardiac cells, resulting in tissue with significantly better properties than previous methods.
The GreeneChip System is a comprehensive tool for differential diagnosis of infectious diseases, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. It can be used on various samples and has been tested with positive results in cases where other methods failed to implicate a microorganism.
Four adults received highly concentrated, unlicensed botulinum preparation for cosmetic injections, resulting in toxin levels up to 40 times the estimated human lethal dose. Botulism can cause respiratory failure and death if left untreated.
The Carnegie Institution has been granted a patent for the manufacture of hard, single-crystal diamonds through a Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (MPCVD) process. The inventors' work has led to diamonds with increased hardness and enhanced optical characteristics.
Researchers have resolved key questions about DNA transcription using nanotech tools, revealing a molecular machine that remains stationary and 'reels in' adjacent DNA segments during initial synthesis. This breakthrough advances understanding of the structure and function of transcription, setting the stage for new opportunities in co...
Researchers develop protocols to identify promising molecule/mineral pairs, building on previous findings that many biomolecules can adhere to mineral surfaces. The study uses DNA microarrays and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry to discover which molecules stick to specific mineral surfaces.
The current issue of CSH Protocols introduces multimedia content, including movie clips, to demonstrate techniques and show experimental results. Researchers can track cell movements, visualize physiological changes, and assess behavior using advanced imaging technologies.
The Human Performance Laboratory at FSU assesses how stress impacts critical decision-making skills, using medical simulation rooms and various tests. The research aims to develop new training protocols that prepare people to make life-or-death decisions under pressure.
The Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging at UCL will further bolster the reputation of a laboratory renowned for its research into neural cognition and common neurological diseases. The centre aims to study the functional architecture of the human brain to identify core mechanisms causing common human neurological diseases.
Biophysicist Quhuan Li to visit Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation laboratory for three months, learn flow-enhanced cell adhesion techniques and set up systems at her home university. The Biophysical Society's award supports international collaboration and knowledge sharing in biophysics
Researchers can now identify protein-DNA interactions in complex organisms using a freely available protocol developed by Dr. Marian Walhout and her colleagues. Additionally, the MuDPIT method enables the identification of rare proteins in complex mixtures.
A new study led by UC Davis expert Rosie Woodroffe found that killing wild badgers to prevent tuberculosis in cattle is unlikely to succeed. Badger culling disrupts territorial behavior, leading to increased disease transmission among badgers and from cattle to badgers.
Government laboratories can quickly analyze radioactive samples but with variable accuracy and quality control procedures. The NIST tests found that measurement capability is generally accurate within 30% of the expected value.
Scientists at EMBL have discovered that beta-catenin plays a central role in determining whether blood cells form or not, and that an overactive Wingless pathway can lead to leukemia and other diseases. The study provides new insights into the processes within cells that lead to cancer.
Researchers attribute ozone recovery to the Montreal Protocol and changes in atmospheric transport dynamics. Ozone levels have stopped decreasing in one region and are increasing in another in the stratosphere above mid-latitudes.