News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
A new study published in Behavioral Neuroscience found that exposure to a paired scent and milk can condition newborn rats to suckle on a surrogate nipple. The researchers observed an 80% suckling rate in pups exposed to lemon odor and milk, compared to 20% in control groups.
IBM was recognized by INFORMS for its supply chain management project, 'Matching Assets with Demand in Supply Chain Management with PROFIT at IBM Microelectronics.' The project improved asset utilization by $80 million and customer responsiveness to under one day. The award is the second time IBM has received this honor.
The FAA was recognized by INFORMS for its Ground Delay Program Enhancement project, which has reduced delays by 90,000 hours and saved the airline industry over $150 million. The project uses collaborative decision-making tools to allocate arrival slots and issue ground delays.
Ford's Prototype Optimization Module (POM) reduced prototypes by one fourth, cutting weeks and millions of dollars from development. The module also promoted wider customer-oriented dialogue among design and test engineers and management.
Jeppesen Sanderson was awarded the Franz Edelman Award for its successful implementation of optimization-based decision support tools, resulting in annual cost reductions of $3 million. The company achieved this through flexible planning and technology management, strengthening its competitive position and increasing operating profits.
Air New Zealand won the INFORMS Edelman Award for its optimized crew scheduling project, which improves passenger service and reduces costs by over $15.6 million annually. The project uses advanced optimization methods to efficiently utilize crew resources, addressing a significant issue faced by airlines.
Matthew Warman, an assistant professor of genetics and pediatrics at CWRU, has been selected as a Hughes assistant investigator by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He will receive funding for his research on rare and common human genetic diseases, aiming to improve human health.
Researchers from various fields will discuss normal development and understanding of the visual world, as well as brain failures to recognize objects. The symposium aims to bring together converging perspectives on how our brains organize and interpret visual information.
The two-part documentary series explores how West Virginia became a separate state, with equal support for northern and southern causes. The series highlights the military actions and events that led to West Virginia's secession from Virginia and its subsequent development as a distinct state.
Barbara Fredrickson's broaden-and-build model asserts that positive emotions broaden thinking and action, creating an upward spiral that builds strength, character, and health. Her research shows positive emotions reduce cardiovascular activity and increase psychological resilience.
Researchers at OHSU have discovered new synapses between nerve cells and oligodendrocytes, suggesting a key role in myelin formation. These connections may help answer questions about how nerve cells regulate myelin production, potentially leading to treatments for multiple sclerosis.
Researchers have developed a model called Reconstruction After Feedback with Take the Best (RAFT) that explains how hindsight bias occurs. Consistent with the model, experiments found that knowledge of nutrition values was updated with feedback, reducing hindsight bias.
Researchers found that a synthetic protein resembling the herpes simplex virus mimics beta-amyloid, a toxic agent in Alzheimer's patients. This connection could lead to the development of vaccines or drugs to prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is proud to announce that five of its researchers have been selected as Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigators. Drs. David Baker, Philip Green, and Michael Shadlen from the University of Washington, and Drs. Leonid Kruglyak and Cecilia Moens from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Resear...
A new study reveals that even in countries with universal healthcare, there are significant restrictions on prescription drug accessibility for the elderly. The research found that countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK have varying levels of outpatient pharmaceutical plans, but often come with high costs.
A study by Cornell researchers found a close correlation between cowbird brain size and its singing ability, which attracts females. The research suggests that visual and sexual selection factors go hand-in-hand in determining mating success among male cowbirds.
Researchers found that spices can shield bacteria from irradiation by protecting their DNA, with chili and black pepper offering the highest protection. The study suggests spice extracts could be used to protect healthy tissue in radiation therapy.
Researchers test new fragrances to bait coyotes into consuming birth control drugs, aiming to reduce attacks on livestock and wildlife. The approach aims to decrease the need for lethal methods like shooting, which have cost farmers millions in lost earnings.
A new study found that work/family spillover has distinct effects on physical and mental health, with both negative and positive spillover exerting separate impacts. Positive spillover was independently associated with better health, while less negative spillover was linked to improved well-being.
A University of Washington study found that real-world job training can significantly reduce the likelihood of ex-felons returning to prison. The successful trainees also earned more money and worked longer hours than those in dead-end jobs.
Researchers have localized a major susceptibility gene for schizophrenia on chromosome 1, according to a study published in Science. The study involved assessing 300 individuals from 22 Canadian families with a high incidence of schizophrenia over a 12-year period.
A new study suggests that Istanbul is likely to suffer a major earthquake within the next 30 years. The research estimates a 62% probability of strong shaking near the city, comparable to recent disasters in Izmit and Düzce.
The conference addresses early prevention and intervention efforts for children at risk of violent behavior. It presents state-of-the-art research on innovative programs to treat and prevent violence.
UMass researchers are creating a software called Tinkerplots to help middle-school students understand statistics and data analysis, enabling everyday decision making. Prototypes are being tested in two area schools, with the goal of widespread availability in 2003.
The American Psychoanalytic Association's 89th Annual meeting will address a wide range of clinical and societal issues. A public forum on addressing violent youth will be held on May 12, moderated by John Callaway and featuring experts from the University of Pennsylvania and Yale Child Study Center.
Researchers found a five-fold increased risk of OCD in first-degree relatives of patients, supporting the hereditary nature of the condition. The study used diverse patient populations and blinded diagnosing researchers to minimize bias.
Researchers found that local communication, such as talking to neighbors, is crucial for a sense of community. The study also highlights the importance of strategic community organizations and media in building a stronger sense of belonging.
Fox Chase Cancer Center molecular biologist Dominique Broccoli has been awarded a $100,000 V Foundation Scholarship to investigate the role of telomeres in cellular aging. Her research aims to understand how telomere length limits cell growth and renewal, potentially leading to new approaches for limiting tumor growth.
Scientists at Bristol-Myers Squibb identified a novel class of phosphodiesterase inhibitors that act on the same target as sildenafil, showing improved efficacy and selectivity in treating erectile dysfunction. The new compounds were found to be more potent and selective than sildenafil against various forms of the enzyme.
A study found that women are three times more likely to have severe arthritis but less likely to discuss joint replacement surgery with their doctors. Women experience worse symptoms and greater disability due to arthritis, yet they receive fewer replacements.
A new study found that soy foods can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease without stimulating harmful hormone activity. The research involved two groups of people on low-fat diets with or without soy, revealing no evidence to support claims of estrogenic effects.
Two CIIT researchers were honored for their scholarship by the Society of Toxicology. Dr. Li You was recognized for his work on the effect of DDE, while Dr. Thomas Gelzleichter received an award for his study on inhaled ceramic fibers. Additionally, CIIT Predoctoral Fellow Amy Collins Licata won a student award for her presentation on ...
The SPHERES project aims to test formation flying technologies and measure key parameters in microgravity. The mini satellites, the size of volleyballs, are being tested aboard NASA's KC-135 airplane, allowing researchers to validate control algorithms, metrology, and autonomy.
Researchers at the University of Toronto and CAMH have discovered a natural window for blocking dopamine receptors to treat schizophrenia without excessive side effects. This breakthrough allows for lower doses of antipsychotic medication, reducing negative symptoms and improving treatment outcomes.
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has discovered a crucial link between coxsackievirus B and heart failure, identifying the key gene p56Ick as the trigger for this deadly disease. The finding may lead to new treatment strategies and more targeted predictions of who is at risk of developing heart disease.
The California Workforce Initiative aims to analyze data on changing workforce dynamics, encourage policy reform, and develop new curricula for health care professionals. The project will also focus on labor costs, ethnic diversity, and re-training government regulation.
The 96th Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers features presentations on various topics, including urban heat islands, research with blind pedestrians, and analysis of divorce trends. The meeting highlights innovative technologies to aid visually impaired individuals and explores population growth patterns in small ...
A new study from Toronto researchers has found a way to more accurately predict the cognitive recovery of severe head injury patients. By combining predictive methods with factors such as age and duration of unconsciousness, doctors can now make more informed decisions about patient discharge, reducing the risk of premature discharge.
Researchers are exploring alternative methods for delivering drugs, including handheld electronic inhalers, dry powder injection and implantable microchips. These innovative systems have the potential to deliver precise doses of medication in a faster and more efficient manner than traditional hypodermic needles.
Researchers are developing new compounds, including epothilones and bryostatins, derived from natural products to inhibit cancer growth. Vaccines targeting tumor-specific antigens are also being explored to prevent recurrence after conventional treatment.
A University of Florida researcher has finally shed light on the side effects of creatine, a popular muscle enhancer. The study found that creatine increases both overall water content and the ratio between intracellular and extracellular water, leading to an imbalance that can cause dehydration, heat illness, and kidney problems.
Chaitan Khosla, a Palo Alto-based researcher, has developed ways to genetically engineer microorganisms to produce complex natural compounds. His approach allows researchers to create new pathways in biologically friendly organisms, making it possible to harvest useful substances from slow-growing bacteria.
Valerie J. Kuck, a materials chemist at Bell Laboratories, will receive the American Chemical Society Award for Encouraging Women in Careers in the Chemical Sciences. She has mentored dozens of female interns and encouraged them to pursue careers in chemistry.
Shell chemists developed a new carpet and textile fiber, Corterra, with excellent elastic recovery and natural stain resistance. They achieved commercial production in just three years through innovative research and process development.
Martin E. Newcomb studies free radicals in biological processes, revealing radical intermediates form during fleeting steps of reactions that occur extremely quickly. He proposes new mechanisms to solve unknowns in P450 enzyme family's reaction steps using laser light 'timing'.
Chemist F. Ann Walker received the Francis P. Garvan-John M. Olin Medal for her research on heme proteins, including nitrophorin, a molecule found in kissing bugs that releases nitric oxide to facilitate feeding. Her work provides insight into the function of heme proteins and their role in the immune system.
George B. Kauffman, a renowned chemist from Fresno, has been honored with the American Chemical Society Award for Research at an Undergraduate Institution. He is recognized for his dedication to encouraging students to be imaginative and independent in their research projects.
Gabor A. Somorjai's research has revolutionized surface science and its applications, enabling the development of smaller, more complex devices. His work demonstrates that surfaces are flexible and adjust to the chemistry as it occurs, leading to breakthroughs in various fields.
Samuel Danishefsky has developed anti-cancer vaccines that stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. His research also explores laboratory versions of natural products with potential to combat cancer. Several vaccines are entering Phase II and III clinical trials to test their effectiveness.
Hoffman's groundbreaking work led to the discovery of primordial plutonium and seaborgium, with a focus on symmetrical mass division in spontaneous fission. Her ongoing research continues to advance our understanding of nuclear chemistry and its applications.
Chemist John D. Corbett is recognized for his pioneering work in inorganic chemistry, leading to the discovery of novel solid-state compounds with unique structures and properties. His research has enabled the development of products such as cell-phone batteries, catalytic converters, and corrosion-resistant alloys.
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have developed coal-derived jet fuels that can withstand higher temperatures without forming engine-clogging deposits. This breakthrough could enable faster, safer flight for commercial jet aircraft.
Czanderna's work focuses on improving photovoltaic efficiency and lifespan, with a goal of making solar energy comparable to fossil fuels. His research led to the development of an insulating material that promises to last at least six times longer.
Researchers at OHSU's Casey Eye Institute have developed a new method to diagnose rare eye infections caused by the Acanthamoeba organism. Using a confocal microscope, they can now detect the early stages of infection, allowing for prompt treatment and preventing vision loss.
Research on MTBE contamination highlights the need for alternatives to this toxic fuel additive. Studies show that MTBE degrades slowly in sediments, but can be rapidly degraded by bacteria with oxygen addition.
Chemist Slayton Evans Jr. of Chapel Hill has been honored by the American Chemical Society for opening new doors in science, especially chemistry, for minority high-school and college students. He was recognized for fostering programs and scholarships to encourage minority scholarship in his 25 years at the University of North Carolina.
Researchers found that white tea contains higher levels of polyphenols than green tea, which may contribute to its enhanced cancer-fighting potential. White tea was shown to inhibit DNA mutations more efficiently than green tea in laboratory tests, suggesting it may have a stronger role in preventing colon cancer.
Stephen L. Buchwald receives American Chemical Society Award in Organometallic Chemistry for developing more efficient methods to create complex chemical bonds, with applications in plastics, drug discovery, and manufacturing. His work has been recognized for its breadth and unique interest, spanning multiple fields.
Dennis P. Curran develops new ways to make molecules used as anti-cancer drugs using free radicals, which were once considered too reactive for laboratory use. His work has led to the creation of more stable derivatives that could potentially allow lower doses of chemotherapy.
A team of researchers has discovered that hazelnuts contain the potent anticancer agent paclitaxel, which could reduce the cost of the commercial drug Taxol. The finding may also stimulate competition among drug manufacturers, leading to cheaper prices for cancer patients.