News on research labs and their facilities. Covers lunar research sites, national-lab partnerships, obesity classification, and cloud-lab funding.
The Oregon Health & Science University has launched a new Bioanalytical Shared Resource (BSR) lab, supported by the $500 million Oregon Opportunity initiative. The BSR provides advanced analytical services for drugs and molecules, enabling researchers to quickly move from laboratory to patient testing.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno recorded a cluster of nearly 1,600 small earthquakes beneath Lake Tahoe, causing the nearby Slide Mountain to rise by 8 millimeters. The earthquakes coincided with an unprecedented uplift of the mountain, which scientists believe was caused by magma movement about 20 miles deep.
Researchers have developed a new method to generate human SARS antibodies quickly, which could offer a potent frontline defense and effective treatment for those exposed to the virus. The technique successfully neutralized the SARS virus in laboratory mice, providing promising results for potential serotherapy.
Researchers propose using plain language and better organization to present Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) to pilots. This could help reduce confusion and improve flying efficiency, leading to increased safety for pilots and passengers.
The Advanced Carbon Nanotechnology Research Program aims to explore carbon nanostructures for biological and chemical sensors, energy-conversion devices, and electron emission devices. The research will train graduate students and establish interactions with industry and government laboratories.
Dragon Runner is a small, four-wheeled robot designed for remote scouting operations in urban environments. It can provide real-time imagery of tactical objectives and potential danger areas beyond a Marine's line of sight.
A study of 2,115 male patients found that symptoms like urgency and weak urine stream are strongly associated with sexual dysfunction, but not sex drive. The findings may help researchers develop new treatments for both lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction.
A University of Pittsburgh study finds that throwing athletes' shoulders differ from non-throwers', suggesting adaptations for efficient performance. Additionally, stronger hip muscles in golfers correlate with better performances. Research also highlights the importance of unplanned reactive jumps in ACL injury prevention.
Researchers at Penn State found lags between the changes in forces and strength in laboratory simulations, with delays ranging from seconds to weeks after initial earthquakes. The study suggests a competition between compaction and dilation of granules in gouge zones contributes to delayed fault movements.
Yahr's discovery of the type III secretion system in P. aeruginosa and its virulence factors holds promise for new vaccine candidates and treatments for patients with cystic fibrosis and AIDS.
Caroline Mohr, a leading expert in clinical microbiology, has won the 2004 Scherago-Rubin Award from the American Society for Microbiology. Her work involves identifying and classifying microorganisms, including gram-negative bacilli, and evaluating automated systems used to identify these bacteria.
Betty Ann Forbes has made significant impacts in clinical microbiology and education through her extensive research, publication programs, and editorial work. Her leadership roles in the American Board of Medical Microbiology and esteemed journal publications have earned her a respected reputation among microbiologists nationwide.
Jay Levy's research has significantly impacted our understanding of HIV and the immune system, leading to major breakthroughs in antiviral responses. His work has also improved the safety of blood products for hemophiliacs and shed light on the role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in HIV infection.
John Sherris is recognized for his tireless advocacy and leadership in clinical microbiology, including development of standardized susceptibility testing. He also holds an honorary medical degree from Karolinska Institute and has published a highly regarded textbook on medical microbiology.
Weissfeld's work on policy issues has had a significant impact on the profession of clinical microbiology. She chairs ASM's Professional Affairs Committee and serves on various committees reviewing legislation affecting microbiology laboratory practice.
Lyncean Technologies announces a tabletop synchrotron light source, Compact Light Source, to boost scientific productivity and enable new medical imaging techniques. The Compact Light Source is a breakthrough in X-ray technology developed on licensed technology from Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.
The American Society for Microbiology has recognized Hopkins Marine Station's dedication to microbiology research and education. The station has served as Stanford University's marine biology research and education facility since 1892, offering a popular summer course on microbiology.
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography have received a $1.1 million NSF grant to study the impact of Earth's rotation on ocean circulation and mixing. The grant will be used to simulate the rotation of the earth and investigate horizontal stirring in the ocean caused by small eddies.
Researchers use computer methods and electron microscopy to understand how molecular machines interact and work together in cells. By building assembly plans for individual machines, they can connect them to form a network, providing insights into cellular structures and functions.
Dr. David P. Siderovski, an assistant professor at UNC School of Medicine, has been awarded the John J. Abel Award for his groundbreaking research on RGS proteins that accelerates cell signaling pathway shutdown. The award honors his contributions to drug target discovery and development.
Researchers have discovered that a compound used to treat sepsis also protects vital brain cells from programmed cell death. The finding opens the possibility of creating a new compound with similar effects without increased bleeding side effects.
Researchers successfully cloned mice from olfactory cell nuclei, demonstrating totipotent development and normal brain function. The study expands understanding of neuronal diversity and offers insights into reprogramming mature cells.
Rutgers University has been awarded a four-year, $5.45 million grant to construct and operate a wireless networking test bed for researchers nationwide. The test bed will include laboratory and field trial facilities, allowing researchers to test emerging wireless protocols in a standardized setting.
Researchers will use the simulator to test and validate computer tools for designing blast-resistant buildings. The blast simulator recreates explosive shock waves through servo-controlled hydraulic actuators, allowing for controlled tests of high-risk structures.
E-mail cluster bombs can overwhelm victims' inboxes and cell phones with thousands of unwanted messages. Computer scientist Filippo Menczer proposes fixing the problem by changing web forms to prompt subscribers to send their own confirmations.
The formation of wwPDB formalizes the global character of the Protein Data Bank, ensuring transparency and quality of data. The collaboration allows for individual creativity in presenting and making data available to the community.
The state of Michigan has secured a five-year, $11.9 million grant from the National Center for Research Resources to bolster its cutting-edge proteomics capabilities. This award will provide every Michigan scientist with access to a state-of-the-art research facility and expert support services.
Researchers at Penn State have created innovative design methods for a new class of antennas composed of fractal-shaped tiles, offering improved bandwidth and radiation patterns. The fractile arrays are generated recursively and offer advantages over conventional square boundaries.
Researchers discovered that portion size and calorie density both contribute to caloric intake, with combined effects leading to a 56% increase. By choosing water-rich foods or smaller portions, individuals can reduce their risk of overeating.
Researchers at Ames Laboratory have identified 12 fully ordered, completely stoichiometric intermetallic compounds with remarkable ductility. These materials exhibit higher ASTM fracture toughness values comparable to commercial aircraft aluminum alloys.
A mystery illness in western Montana was solved by researchers identifying the cause as Borrelia hermsii, a spiral-shaped bacterium. The disease is curable with antibiotics and can cause recurrent febrile illnesses, highlighting the potential for emerging diseases in previously unrecognised areas.
Teams from Abbott, Merck, Pfizer, and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals have developed commercial products based on chemistry to improve children's health and wellness. These products include Kaletra, Singulair, Neurontin, and Prevnar, which have advanced the health and well-being of children worldwide.
Researchers Robert Young, Robert J. Zamboni and Marc Labelle recognized for developing commercial products that improve children's health and wellness with Singulair asthma treatment.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is seeking nominations for its Professorship in Basic Cancer Research, which provides a $50,000 grant for research expenses. The AACR-NFCR Professorship was established to honor Franklin and Tamara Salisbury and support cutting-edge basic cancer research.
Lab Tests Online offers a comprehensive resource for patients seeking information on lab tests, including explanations of test results and personalized responses from clinical laboratory scientists. The site also integrates with other reputable sources like NIH's Medline Plus.
The growing trend of consumer ordering lab tests is driven by convenience and a desire for control over healthcare. Key findings include that middle-aged or younger groups are most interested in DAT, with income brackets, health status, and insurance playing significant roles in adoption.
The CDC recommends testing C-reactive protein levels in patients with intermediate risk of cardiovascular disease, and in those with acute coronary syndromes or stable coronary disease. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of standardizing laboratory test results to accurately measure hsCRP levels.
A blood test could identify biological markers that indicate the onset of a heart attack or stroke, leading to life-saving intervention. Researchers are developing a diagnostic tool using 'sick cells' markers, which may be available in three to five years.
Researchers from Ames Laboratory aim to create efficient and selective nanocatalysts using mesoporous materials with controlled nanopores. The goal is to improve the selectivity of current mesoporous materials, which often require costly separation techniques.
Researchers develop scaffold that enables bone marrow cells to grow naturally without growth factors, promoting dense new bone growth. The technology has shown promising results in animal studies, with strong new bone replacing the scaffold in just eight weeks.
Researchers at UC Riverside have made a breakthrough in single neuron positioning on microelectrodes, enabling the study of brain functions and diseases like dementia. This technology has the potential to benefit public health directly by providing a better understanding of how the brain functions.
Researchers found that exposure to synthetic cannabinoids can disrupt attention and performance in tasks requiring sustained focus. The study's findings suggest that cannabis users may experience serious long-term attention problems.
HHMI has awarded $10.4 million to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and $8.2 million to Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) to support graduate courses spanning biological disciplines and computational sciences. The grants will support high-quality courses that significantly impact participants' careers.
A new virtual mockup at Penn State has shown promise in reducing construction costs by enabling more efficient scheduling. Experiments with experienced superintendents and students found that the interactive method saved up to 33% of time.
Tom Barton, Ames Laboratory director, has received the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Award for his efforts to strengthen ties between federal labs and industry. The award recognizes his work in developing the Lab's technology transfer program, which has led to 136 U.S. patents and 14 start-up companies.
Researchers at Ames Laboratory are developing new solar cells that can withstand the degrading effects of sunlight. By understanding the atomic origins of this problem, they hope to create materials with improved stability and efficiency. The team's three-step rebonding model offers a promising solution to this challenge.
Researchers discovered that a gene mutation in mice leads to severe glaucoma by disrupting ocular drainage structures. Administering L-DOPA to pregnant mice with the mutation improved pup outcomes, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory discovered that higher-energy impacts cause boron carbide to transform into a more fragile glassy form. This transformation has implications for the development of improved armor materials.
Researchers discovered six grains of stardust outside our solar system, including crystalline grains that contradict established theories. The study found that stardust is surprisingly common in interplanetary dust particles, suggesting it comes from primitive bodies.
Researchers found the prevalence of overweight among Los Angeles County school children to be 20.6 percent, with higher rates among boys and Latinos. An email-based program for nutrition intervention was also shown to be effective in changing dietary behavior, with over 50% of participants reporting success.
Researchers have developed microscale channels to guide neuron growth in damaged nerves, a breakthrough that shows promise for treating nerve injuries. The technique uses biodegradable polymer films with microscopic patterns to direct nerve cell growth, with initial results showing rats regaining use of their legs after injury.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have successfully synthesized amphidinolide T1, a highly potent compound with potential as an antitumor agent. The breakthrough, achieved through retrosynthetic analysis and sophisticated technologies, could lead to more effective cancer treatments.
The U.S. will participate in the ITER fusion project, aiming to develop commercial fusion energy and produce clean, abundant power. The collaboration, involving Canada, EU, Japan, Russia, and China, aims to demonstrate essential fusion technologies and test key elements for practical energy source deployment.
Researchers from Penn State developed expendable microphones to locate survivors in collapsed buildings. The team found that placing microphones in voids reduces surface noise, allowing acoustic search to continue without interfering with rescue operations.
Krommes received recognition for his research on plasma turbulence, a crucial aspect of fusion energy, while Parsells was cited for his ingenuity in adapting diamond wire cutting technology for the TFTR D&D Project.
The EMBO Restart Programme supports six female scientists who will be returning to their labs after taking career breaks to have families. The programme aims to counteract losses to science and research caused by women leaving the workforce.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a plumbing system for microfluidic chips using dielectrophoresis, allowing for efficient movement and mixing of tiny droplets. The system uses electrostatic attraction to divide water into dozens of droplets and position them on a chip for diagnostic tests.
The EMBO World Programme fellowship scheme supports scientists from non-European countries to visit European laboratories for a six to nine month period. The program aims to foster collaborations and strengthen research between European and home countries.
Caltech researchers use magnetic forces to create jet-like structures in a hydrogen plasma experiment, shedding light on the formation of astrophysical jets. The study involves running high electrical currents through a cylindrical metal chamber, producing spiral-shaped plumes similar to those observed in space.
Scientists at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory have successfully generated intense magnetic fields in a dense plasma using high-powered laser pulses. The resulting fields reached up to 400 MegaGauss and may soon be intensified further, enabling researchers to test models of extreme astrophysical conditions.