News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
Researchers found that Western women prefer men with facial scars for short-term relationships, but equally value both scarred and un-scarred faces for long-term relationships. Men perceive women with and without facial scars as equally attractive for both types of relationship.
The NWO and KNAW have launched a new research programme, the Joint Scientific Thematic Research Programme (JSTP), with Chinese counterparts. The programme aims to concentrate on different themes every year, with the first call for proposals set to be published in early 2009.
Researchers have identified a molecule, Wnt3, that plays a crucial role in creating connections between nerves and muscles. This finding offers a new possibility for developing drugs to treat MND and other neurodegenerative diseases.
The EMBO Young Investigator Programme selects Europe's most talented young researchers. Over three years, they receive financial and academic support to advance their careers through networking events, lab management training, and PhD courses.
A University of Warwick professor argues that the former James Bond villains have become eerily relevant in today's world, mirroring modern security threats. Their tactics, such as exploiting globalization and secrecy, are now employed by real-world enemies like terrorist groups, arms smugglers, and warlords.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt aim to improve heart healing after a heart attack by promoting cellular regeneration. Micro-RNAs may hold the key to discovering new inhibitors to regulate protein synthesis and activate stem cells.
Researchers have successfully expressed genes from snapdragon into tomatoes, resulting in higher levels of anthocyanins. The purple tomatoes showed promise in extending the lifespan of cancer-susceptible mice, suggesting potential health benefits for consumers.
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) has announced 12 new recipients of the annual INFORMS Fellows Award, recognizing outstanding achievements in education, management, practice, research, and service to the profession. The award recognizes the contributions of distinguished professionals who have...
Futuropolis 2058 conference highlights the importance of social and intellectual capital in creating sustainable urban environments. Experts emphasize the need for long-term city planning, integrating work, live, and play elements, to enhance human interaction and connection.
The NIH has awarded $55 million to five new Institutional Development Awards (IDeA) centers across the US. These centers focus on reproductive biology, obesity and cardiovascular disease, nanomedicine, and schizophrenia research, aiming to strengthen institutional biomedical capabilities and increase competitiveness.
A RAND Corporation study found that a unique patient identification number system could eliminate record errors, simplify electronic medical records and increase overall efficiency. The proposed system would help address concerns around patient privacy by reducing the exposure of personal information during searches.
A study published at the TCT scientific symposium found that a novel blood flow reversal system used during carotid stenting is safe and effective, with a low death rate of 0.8% and major adverse event rate of 3.7%. The system offers potential advantages over existing devices by directing embolic particles away from the brain.
A new study found a low number of strokes and cardiac events in patients treated with the FiberNet Embolic Protection System during carotid stenting. The system's unique filter design and ease of use contributed to these low event rates.
A clinical trial showed that drug-eluting stents are more effective than bare metal stents in reducing target lesion revascularization rates by 41% and binary restenosis by 56%. The use of drug-eluting stents also demonstrated comparable safety, with a reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
A new computer program, developed by Krisztian Balog, uses digital trails to quickly and accurately identify missing persons within companies and organizations. The program combines generative language models with learning algorithms to recognize people and organizations in texts.
The HORIZONS AMI trial found that bivalirudin significantly reduces all-cause death, cardiac death, and major bleeding in heart attack patients. The use of bivalirudin also resulted in a 31% reduction in 1-year all cause mortality.
EMBO has honored 59 leading life scientists from Europe and around the world with membership, including eight Associate Members. This recognition highlights the significant contributions of these researchers to the field of molecular life sciences.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has launched four Capacity Building Clusters to develop closer dialogue between social science and the business sector. The clusters focus on key priorities, including driving innovation, adapting to new technologies, and improving leadership and management.
A clinical trial on therapeutic endovascular cooling found that the treatment is well-tolerated and can be safely achieved in high-risk patients. The study, presented at TCT 2008, used a novel approach to cool patients' kidneys before administering contrast agents during cardiac catheterization procedures.
The SYNTAX trial found comparable safety and efficacy rates between drug-eluting stents and heart bypass surgery in patients with left main disease. Stent use resulted in fewer strokes, while bypass surgery had higher revascularization rates.
The University of Nottingham is conducting a study to understand women's experiences working through menopause, with the goal of providing useful information for women, employers, and doctors. The research aims to address the significant gap in understanding the effects of menopause on women's working life.
Researchers will examine organisational systems of 40 companies to understand how culture, leadership, policies, and change affect employee health and productivity. The study aims to improve theory and practice in managing work-related health, with potential implications for policy and national guidance in Europe.
Three new devices are being showcased to reduce blockages in peripheral and coronary arteries, providing cardiac support. The AngioSculpt device optimizes stenting of complex lesions with a low rate of complications.
A recent study suggests that olmesartan, a commonly used high blood pressure medication, can help reduce plaque in the coronary arteries of patients with stable angina. The trial involved 247 patients who received either 20-40mg/day of olmesartan or control, and showed significant decreases in plaque volume after 14 months of treatment.
Research found that coronary heart disease symptoms presented in the context of stress were identified as psychogenic in origin when presented by women and organic in origin when presented by men. This study sheds light on why there is often a delay in diagnosing CHD in women, highlighting a gender bias in diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers have found that optical coherence tomography (OCT) is the best tool available to detect vulnerable plaque, a possible cause of sudden cardiac death. OCT provides superior contrast and resolution in imaging the components of plaque, allowing for better understanding of coronary artery disease progression.
A study by Cardiff University scientists has revealed that common earthworms in the UK are composed of multiple distinct species, each with unique roles in food chains and soil ecology. The discovery, published in Molecular Ecology, sheds new light on the importance of earthworms in agriculture.
Research finds UK baby boomers have limited retirement plans, preferring to maintain current lifestyles. They demonstrate a changing attitude towards inheritance, with a focus on enjoying life rather than leaving a legacy. Baby boomers also show diverse generational views, varying in their perceptions of age, identity, and consumerism.
A study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology confirms that colonoscopy reduces colorectal cancer incidence, with the greatest benefit seen after seven years of follow-up. However, the effectiveness of colonoscopy is reduced for cancers arising in the proximal colon.
The John S. Dunn Research Foundation has awarded Rice University a $3 million grant to support collaborative research studies in biomedical science with potential clinical applications.
The RAND Corporation report suggests delegating spending authority to the field level and requiring cross-agency experience for civilians and military officers. The report also emphasizes building success through career-wide training, enhancing foreign culture knowledge, and promoting long-term relationships with local counterparts.
Researchers at the Carnegie Institution have discovered Canadian bedrock over four billion years old, making it 250 million years more ancient than previously discovered rocks. The findings provide crucial clues to the earliest stages of our planet's evolution and chemical composition similar to volcanic rocks in geologic settings.
Researchers at Indiana University successfully demonstrated secure sharing of health information across the nation during an emergency scenario, leveraging Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) technologies. This innovation has great potential to improve healthcare in the United States.
A DNA-based study has found that the last woolly mammoths had exclusively North American roots, contradicting previous assumptions. The research used ancient DNA from Siberian and North American specimens to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the species.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast are developing new sensory devices to help people with Parkinson's disease and stroke patients control their movements. The devices will provide sensory information through eyes, ears, or touch, allowing the brain to learn to guide movements in a more controlled way.
A team of international scientists warns that current coral reef protection zones are not effective against climate change. They recommend establishing new areas with better protection to prevent coral collapse and conserving marine ecosystems.
A team of researchers has developed a technique to examine tiny protein molecules called peptides on the surface of a gold nanoparticle, offering promise for designing and manufacturing novel materials at the nanoscale. This breakthrough allows for the creation of complex nanomachines and potentially new medical applications.
The International Association for Dental Research and American Association for Dental Research have partnered with SAGE to publish the Journal of Dental Research beginning in 2009. The journal will expand its reach through SAGE's marketing capabilities and consortia deals.
Professor John Rice, Chair of Statistics at UC Berkeley, wins the 2008 Jerome Sacks Award for his diverse cross-disciplinary contributions to various fields. The award recognizes sustained high-quality research involving statistical sciences.
Asterion Ltd.'s patented ProFuse technology enables the creation of longer-acting drugs to tackle major diseases. The company's platform can also be used to develop pairings between therapeutic hormones and protective receptor domains to address conditions like some cancers, anaemia, infertility, and diabetes.
Clinician-scientists in the UK are struggling with a lack of career support, limited research training opportunities, and significant medical school debts. However, new funding and mentorship programs may help alleviate these challenges and preserve this vital profession.
Researchers found aphids are appearing significantly earlier in the year and in higher numbers due to mild winters. This leads to more aphids flying in spring and early summer when crops are vulnerable.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have created a computer model that maps the metabolism of Nostoc bacteria, revealing a previously unknown link between energy production and nitrogen fixation. This breakthrough could lead to improved hydrogen production and further investigation into synthetic biology.
A recent study published in PNAS found that the human brain's perception of fast-moving objects is biased by the slow-paced world around us. This affects our ability to catch balls and make decisions in high-speed environments, with implications for road safety and robotic vision systems.
Research by Dr Jane Fowler found strikers experienced higher levels of depression and anxiety, but those actively involved in union activities showed lower symptoms. Unions can support members with financial assistance and counselling to reduce psychological impact.
Research suggests dementia prevalence in developing world is closer to developed countries' rates, with potential for improved health and social care systems.
A new study published in The Lancet suggests that dementia prevalence in less developed countries may be significantly higher than initially estimated. The study used a unique diagnostic method to assess dementia cases in 15 sites across 11 countries, revealing higher prevalence rates compared to conventional criteria.
Researchers compared two packing methods for grape quality and decay prevention, finding that the external wrapping method can be as effective as the liner method in preventing grape decay. This method has advantages over the use of box liners, including faster precooling and being more economical.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNM) has awarded significant grants to support molecular imaging research, providing opportunities for young scientists to pursue cutting-edge research in emerging fields. The awards aim to advance patient care by investing in promising researchers working on vital medical practices.
The Glenn Foundation for Medical Research has committed $5 million to support scientists studying the biology of aging and age-related diseases. This funding provides critical support to researchers working to understand how aging influences disease, with a focus on developing new scientific knowledge about aging processes.
Scientists have discovered the location of doped hole carriers that aggregate in high-temperature superconductors, advancing understanding of how they form pairs. This finding reveals the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity, suggesting that non-superconducting vortex cores may exhibit collective magnetism.
Research reveals that resolvins and protectins, derived from omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, counter-regulate pro-inflammatory signals and promote tissue healing in diabetes. These mediators reverse inflammatory responses in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages, offering potential for new therapeutic options.
New research from Vanderbilt University has found that mental imagery--what we see with the "mind's eye"--directly impacts our visual perception. The study, published in Current Biology, discovered that a short-term memory trace formed by imagery can bias future perception.
Researchers at the University of Manchester found that able-bodied mobile users replicate errors made by physically impaired desktop computer users, such as pressing wrong keys and clicking incorrectly. The study suggests that software solutions developed for disabled users can be applied to reduce errors on mobile devices.
Dr. Neal Garrett has been recognized for his research focus on restoring oral function and quality of life following tooth loss or other oral impairment in the elderly. He established the functional efficacy of various denture parameters and types utilizing dental implants, improving mastication and patient perceptions.
Dr. James Melvin, Director of the Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester, received the 2008 Salivary Research Award for his studies on ion transport mechanisms underlying fluid secretion. The award recognizes his contributions to advancing research and increasing knowledge to improve oral health.
Dr. Gary Slade has been recognized with the H. Trendley Dean Memorial Award for his distinguished contributions to research in behavioral science, epidemiology, and public health. His work has focused on population oral health surveillance and the impact of oral conditions on quality of life.
Dr. Thesleff is being honored for her early research work on the associations between oral clefts and drugs taken during pregnancy, as well as her studies on the development of tooth germs and teeth. She has published over 250 papers and made significant contributions to the public understanding of science in her domain.
Dr. Sheldon Baumrind is honored for his extensive work in craniofacial biology, including clinical investigation and application of devices and engineering concepts. His research includes articles on randomized clinical trials, radiographic assessment, and orthodontics.
The International Association for Dental Research presented several prestigious awards and fellowships to recognize significant contributions to dental research, including the IADR Honorary Membership, IADR Distinguished Service Award, and IADR/AADR William J. Gies Awards. The awards are designed to stimulate research in oral health pr...