News on research labs and their facilities. Covers lunar research sites, national-lab partnerships, obesity classification, and cloud-lab funding.
The Genetics & Public Policy Center urges the government to issue proposed regulations for a genetic testing specialty, citing concerns over the lack of oversight in the industry. The center argues that a genetic testing specialty is achievable with key quality requirements such as analytic and clinical validity.
The APL contributed significantly to the success of the Flight Test Mission (FTM) 04-2, a live event that verified the Aegis BMD 3.0 weapon system's performance against a more difficult threat.
Researchers at NIST have developed a method to improve the efficiency of water chillers in large commercial buildings. By adding small amounts of oil additives to refrigerants, they claim to increase cooling capacity similar to a heat pump.
This article explores how diseases, drugs, and chemicals affected famous artists such as Michelangelo, Edvard Munch, Ivar Arosenius, and Vincent van Gogh. Clinical laboratory analysis is providing new insights into their creative achievements.
A new test developed by a McMaster virologist can identify infected individuals early in an outbreak, limiting the spread of virus in the community. The test will be available for evaluation by hospital-based laboratories and reference laboratories by early December.
Agnès Vignery, an expert in bone development, will conduct collaborative research at Pfizer's Global Research and Development. Her lab has developed a new technology to induce bone formation for fracture prevention, which is being refined in rodents for human translation.
Researchers have found that high-voltage sparks can produce x-ray bursts, similar to those observed during lightning. This discovery opens the door for studying the poorly understood phenomenon of runaway breakdown in a lab setting.
Researchers have discovered that lipids, specifically phosphatidylinositol transfer protein-α, are regulated during axon growth and play a critical role in nervous system development. Blocking this lipid can prevent nerves from developing arm-like extensions, leading to neuron death and motor neuron degeneration.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology is providing laboratory training and quality improvement programs for diagnosis and monitoring of HIV/AIDS patients in resource-limited countries. The program aims to improve the effectiveness of HIV diagnostic, care, and treatment services and interventions.
Researchers found that college students accurately report their alcohol consumption, contradicting previous laboratory studies suggesting they underreport. This suggests that the drinking problem remains significant, but data collection methods may need to be reevaluated.
The NMSU Physical Science Laboratory designed and fielded a countermeasure device in under three months to combat IEDs, providing increased survivability for warfighters. The signal-jamming equipment is being used by the US Army, Marines, and Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit.
The Open Network Laboratory (ONL) provides a platform for researchers to develop, test, and demonstrate improvements in networking environments. With its high-performance routers and extensibility features, the ONL enables users to create new communication services and evaluate innovative ideas in a realistic setting.
Researchers in The Netherlands found a positive trend in rheumatoid arthritis disease activity over the last decade, coinciding with more aggressive treatment strategies. The study showed that patients diagnosed with RA within the last ten years had less severe disease activity and a more favorable course of their disease.
Duke University's integration of electronic laboratory notebooks improves student engagement and reduces cheating, but has limitations due to software challenges. The adoption of electronic notebooks is not widespread among universities and businesses.
The ERCC proposes developing consistent, well-characterized RNA samples to validate gene expression assays. These external RNA controls will help ensure comparable results across microarray and QRT-PCR systems.
The US Army's Gamma Phage Assay has been approved by the FDA for human use within the Laboratory Response Network (LRN), enabling early detection of anthrax bioterrorism threats. This test, developed with CDC support, is a classical bacteriological method that uses a virus to identify B. anthracis.
SINTEL aims to provide automated, real-time situational information for ship crews, including threat assessment and decision aids. The lab will test and analyze threat scenarios in the NY Harbor environment using a combination of E/O and IR sensor modeling systems.
A study using tree-ring data reveals that severe droughts and low-flow conditions in one basin are unlikely to be offset by abundant streamflow in another. The research covers waterways from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, spanning nearly 800 years.
Researchers at Ames Laboratory developed a method called dynamic multiple equilibrium gradients (DMEG) that enables hyperselective separation and concentration of specific analytes. This advancement allows for the detection of smallest substance traces, including estrogen-derived conjugates and DNA adducts in human fluid samples, poten...
A study by Rutgers University researchers found that combining TPA, a compound from the croton plant, with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) effectively inhibits growth of pancreatic cancer cells. The combination also showed increased apoptosis and reduced mitosis in tumors.
A new study found that females prefer males with higher ocelli density but also those with shorter tails, suggesting they value the visual perception of a dense cluster. This preference is driven by both ocelli density and male displaying activity, providing peahens with information about male health.
Using RoboLase, Australian scientists successfully performed sub-cellular surgery on a laser microscope system in California, demonstrating the potential for remote medical procedures. The technology enabled researchers to collaborate without traveling to a single laboratory site, paving the way for increased global scientific collabor...
Gwen Hoben, a M.D.-Ph.D. student at Rice University, has won the highly competitive Hertz fellowship to pursue her research in tissue engineering. The award provides funding for tuition and fees, as well as a $28,000 stipend, giving her more flexibility to explore scientific questions.
Researchers discover KDI tri-peptide can block glutamate's damage in degenerative brain diseases, potentially leading to paralysis reversal and nerve regeneration. Human clinical trials expected to begin next year, with no toxic side effects seen so far.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is establishing a program to accredit voting system test labs, which will be part of the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP). NVLAP accreditation is a prerequisite for laboratories to be considered as Voting System Test and Certification Authorities (VSTC...
Researchers at Ames Lab investigate solid fuels mimicking methane, ideal for hydrogen production and efficient energy storage. They use mechanochemical processing and nanostructuring to create recharged materials.
Researchers have developed a new vaccine that is 100 percent effective in protecting monkeys from infection with deadly viruses Ebola and Marburg. The vaccine targets dendritic cells, which are the same cells attacked by these viruses.
The Rockefeller University and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center are collaborating on stem cell research to understand the biology of stem cells. Researchers are working together to identify cancer stem cells and develop cell-based therapeutic strategies for diseases like Parkinson's.
A research team has identified a genetic defect that weakens blood vessels in the brain, making infants vulnerable to cerebral hemorrhage. The discovery may lead to new strategies for disease prevention, such as reducing stress during birth.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Grid Laboratory of Wisconsin (GLOW) is a campus-wide distributed computing environment that harnesses spare processing power from hundreds of individual computers. This allows researchers to sort through massive DNA sequences and power simulations in a fraction of the time previously required. By a...
Two UW ocean-diving gliders, Seagliders, have set a new record by traveling across the Pacific Ocean. They were deployed in September and traveled over 1,860 miles in 191 days. The gliders' autonomous technology allows them to collect oceanographic measurements without propellers, setting a precedent for the longest range of any autono...
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has awarded scholarships to 103 full-time graduate, medical, or postdoctoral students and junior faculty members from underrepresented groups. The recipients will receive stipends to attend the AACR Annual Meeting and present their research papers.
A study by Lastovicka and Fernandez found that people use divestment rituals to purge bad memories when giving away possessions. By offering prized possessions to strangers, individuals can maintain a sense of shared identity and boundary between self and other.
Researchers at RIT have created a wearable eye tracker that enables subjects to wear the technology outside of the laboratory and even outdoors. The device tracks how eye movements support perception and what people pay attention to in order to gather information for everyday activities.
HHMI has tapped two Long Island researchers, Scott Lowe and Gregory Hannon, as among the nation's most promising scientists. The Institute is investing over $300 million in their research over the next seven years.
Researchers found that high-dose gamma radiation and bone marrow transfer prevented glaucoma in mice by blocking neurodegeneration. The treatment, which is already used for human cancers, may also offer protection against other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
John Corbett, a renowned chemist, has been awarded the Spedding Award for his outstanding contributions to inorganic solid-state chemistry and strong metal-metal bonding. He is the third Ames Laboratory researcher to receive this honor.
Scientists have discovered that termites use vibrations to determine suitable food sources, a finding that could lead to new methods for reducing termite damage. The study also reveals the 'cocktail party effect' of signal processing, where termites can distinguish between signals from other termites and artificial signals.
Researchers have discovered new alkaloids with antiparasitic properties, which showed efficacy in treating visceral leishmaniasis. These quinoline compounds also exhibited activity against HIV-1 and HTLV-1 retroviruses, offering potential for new treatments.
The Interactive Media Laboratory at Dartmouth Medical School is developing virtual clinics to educate healthcare and victims' services providers on DNA evidence collection and interpretation. The training aims to improve the efficiency of the justice system by streamlining the process of analyzing and submitting DNA data.
Researchers found that positive emotions, such as joy and happiness, enhance recognition of members from other races, reducing bias. This 'broadening effect' helps individuals see a bigger picture, promoting inclusivity and noticing more details.
A study found that clinicians reported missing clinical information in 13.6% of patient visits, including laboratory results and medications. Missing information was more likely in recent immigrants, new patients, or those with multiple medical problems.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University found that RFID microchips in car keys and wireless payment tags may be vulnerable to encryption cracking, allowing thieves to bypass auto theft prevention systems and charge unauthorized purchases. The study recommends implementing free metallic sheaths to cover devices when not in use.
Anthocyanins in cherries show promise for preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes, with a 50% increase in insulin levels observed in mouse cells. More human studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Dr. Keith Wilkinson's Nobel Prize-winning research on ubiquitin has provided detailed information about cell survival and death, shedding light on the ubiquitin system's role in regulating protein turnover rates. The discoveries present opportunities to develop highly selective drugs targeting various aspects of the ubiquitin pathway.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno developed a model that estimates the impact of a large earthquake in Los Angeles by studying an earthquake in Kern County. The study found that the hanging-wall side of thrust-fault earthquakes experiences more extreme motion and damage than the footwall side.
A Cashmere High School student was selected as an American Fisheries Society Hutton Scholar to participate in a summer-long research program. The student conducted field observations on individual fish and studied the effects of human activities on aquatic ecosystems.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have made a groundbreaking discovery in the creation of ultra-thin threads using air bubbles in breakfast syrup. The technique has potential applications in various industries, including fiber optics and electronics.
Researchers created new memories in subjects and studied their recall in the laboratory using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). They found that recalling autobiographical memories activated similar brain areas as laboratory memories, but also distinct self-referential processing regions. This study provides new insights int...
Researchers have developed a chemical that discourages the landing and feeding of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit yellow fever. The discovery provides new hope for combating the deadly disease.
Researchers have developed a variant of vanillin that can treat sickle cell disease, a condition that causes red blood cells to form the hazardous sickle shape. The compound, MX-1520, was tested in mice and found to inhibit the formation of rigid sickled cells, offering hope for safer and more effective treatment options.
A new portable field laboratory will enable researchers to sample subsurface life from diverse marine environments, including estuaries and deeply buried sediments. The facility will aid in the training of young scientists and enhance existing research on extremophilic communities.
The Center will focus on designing biodegradable tissue engineering scaffolds and novel bioreactors to optimize stem cell responses toward new tissue formation. It will also host collaborations with other laboratories to enhance core projects, such as tissue engineering of human ligaments using transfected adult stem cells.
Researchers at UCI are working on a vaccine against melioidosis, caused by B. pseudomallei, a bacterium that thrives in water and can cause severe pneumonia and septic shock. The development of a safe and effective vaccine is crucial to blunt bioterrorism threats.
An international team of scientists has successfully sequenced the entire clam genome, providing crucial insights into the organism's active DNA. This breakthrough information will enable researchers to create antibodies for studying cellular processes involved in various diseases.
The Ellison Visiting Scholars Program brings African scientists to the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) to study infectious diseases, including the African trypanosome that causes human sleeping sickness. The program aims to develop strategies for combating these diseases with the help of MBL's cutting-edge facilities and expertise.
The study found that USAMRIID's biosafety and medical management program effectively prevented laboratory-acquired infections, with only five confirmed cases in a fourteen-year period. The review emphasized the importance of vaccination and early evaluation of potential exposures.
Researchers discovered that muscles use acidosis to maintain proper nerve signal response, avoiding fatigue. By peeling away the muscle fiber's surface membrane, the team studied the effects of acidity on force response, finding it counteracts fatigue at a critical step in excitation-contraction-coupling.
Scientists use satellites, computer models, and ground stations to study the unique aerosol laboratory created by desert dust, smoke, and man-made emissions. The UAE2 mission aims to improve computer climate models and predictions of climate behavior in response to changes in aerosol concentrations.
The project aims to enhance the prospects of PCF sensors for diverse applications, including environmental monitoring and medical diagnosis. The researchers will fabricate PCFs via a modified sol-gel method and conduct surface-functionalization studies using various techniques.