Common star draws swift attention with unprecedented flare
On April 25, one of our nearest stellar neighbors, a small, faint red dwarf known as EV Lacertae, unleashed the brightest flare ever detected from a normal star outside our solar system.

The photonic beetle
Researchers have been unable to build an ideal "photonic crystal" to manipulate visible light, impeding the dream of ultrafast optical computers.

Self-repairing aircraft could revolutionize aviation safety
A new technique that mimics healing processes found in nature could enable damaged aircraft to mend themselves automatically, even during a flight.

Vaccine triggers immune response, prevents Alzheimer's
A vaccine created by University of Rochester Medical Center scientists prevents the development of Alzheimer's disease-like pathology in mice without causing inflammation or significant side effects.

Old antibiotic may find new life as a stroke treatment
Minocycline appears to reduce stroke damage in multiple ways - inhibiting white blood cells and enzymes that, at least acutely, can destroy brain tissue and blood vessels, respectively, says Dr. David Hess, chair of the Department of Neurology in the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine.

Tracking influenza's every movement
It's the case of the missing flu virus. When the flu isn't making people sick, it seems to just vanish. Yet, every year, everywhere on Earth, it reappears in the appropriate season and starts its attack.

Greener offices make happier employees
According to the 2000 census, Americans office workers spend an average of 52 hours a week at their desks or work stations.

By Adding Graphene, Researchers Create Superior Polymer
Researchers at Northwestern University and Princeton University have created a new kind of polymer that, because of its extraordinary thermal and mechanical properties, could be used in everything from airplanes to solar cells.

First-born babies' higher asthma and allergy rates due to pregnancy conditions
First-born children are at higher risk of developing asthma and allergy because of different conditions they experience in the uterus, according to new research from the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom, which will be presented at the American Thoracic Society's 2008 International Conference in Toronto on Wednesday, May 21.

JAMA publication features UNMC study on depression and head and neck cancer
A University of Nebraska Medical Center-led pilot study that showed antidepressants can significantly reduce the risk of depression for head and neck cancer patients is the focus of an article published today in the Archives of Otolaryngolgy -- one of the publications produced by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA).

Blood-clotting protein modified for people with hard-to-treat hemophilia
Pathologists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston have developed a chemically modified protein that may help people with a hard-to-treat form of a genetic bleeding disorder known as Hemophilia A.

MR imaging accurately determines prostate cancer treatment failure
Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) plus diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) can accurately diagnose residual or recurrent prostate cancer in patients treated with high-intensity focused ultrasonic ablation, a new study shows.

Study concludes no racial disparities in long-term outcomes in recipients of liver transplants
New research published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows long-term survival and liver rejection rates are equivalent for African-American liver transplant patients as compared with patients of other races.

Surgeon operates to rescue chimp with rare deformity
An orthopaedic surgeon at the University of Liverpool has performed a groundbreaking operation on a chimp in Cameroon to correct a deformity more commonly seen in dogs.

Study finds 21st birthday binge drinking extremely common; can pose serious health hazards
The "21 for 21" ritual, where 21st birthday revelers attempt to down 21 alcoholic drinks, is highly prevalent among college students, according to new research.

The Mouse That Roared: Pipsqueak Star Unleashes Monster Flare
On April 25, NASA's Swift satellite picked up the brightest flare ever seen from a normal star other than our Sun. The flare, an explosive release of energy from a star, packed the power of thousands of solar flares. It would have been visible to the naked eye if the star had been easily observable in the night sky at the time.

Bypass not to blame for heart patients' mental decline
Heart patients often experience lasting problems with memory, language, and other cognitive skills after bypass surgery. However, these problems aren't caused by the surgery itself or the pump used to replace heart function during surgery, a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests.

Superconductors get a boost from pressure
Superconductors can convey more than 150 times more electricity than copper wires because they don't restrict electron movement, the essence of electricity.

COPD patients benefit more from pulmonary rehab in earlier stages
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are in their final years of survival do not get the same benefits from pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) as patients who have more years left to live-regardless of their age, complicating illnesses or lung function.

Astronomers search for orphan stars using newly upgraded telescope
Using new charge coupled device (CCD) instrumentation, Case Western Reserve University astronomers can now view the night sky wider and deeper than before.

Abnormal 'editing' of gene messages may be a cause of lupus
Researchers at Wake Forest University have uncovered evidence that the abnormal "editing" of gene messages in a type of white blood cell may be behind the development of lupus.

Some like it hot! Structure of receptor for hot chili pepper and pain revealed
You can now not only feel the spicy kick of a jalapeno pepper, you can also see it in full 3D, thanks to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Radiofrequency ablation is effective treatment for dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus
Interim results from a nationwide clinical trial led by a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researcher suggest that radiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment for dysplasia in people with Barrett's esophagus, a condition that can lead to deadly gastrointestinal cancer.

JNC bases new guidelines for hypertension treatment with diuretics on UT research
A study based at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston provides added justification that a thiazide-type diuretic is the best first-choice drug for hypertensive patients.

UF researchers develop improved gene therapy agent
Replacing one amino acid on the surface of a virus that shepherds corrective genes into cells could be the breakthrough scientists have needed to make gene therapy a more viable option for treating genetic diseases such as hemophilia, University of Florida researchers say.

Global menopause summit concludes HRT is safe for healthy women entering menopause
HRT in the early postmenopausal period is safe, and healthy women going through the first few years of the menopause who need HRT to relieve symptoms should have no fears about its use.

Children's gardens mushrooming
Researchers have discovered the secrets to enhancing youth participation in school- and community-based garden programs. A 3-year study entitled "Greener Voices" proves that children will engage in learning more readily when given responsibility for decisionmaking and planning.

Broadband access opens doors to networking, economic development for rural areas
Proactive policies are needed to facilitate broadband Internet access and adoption in rural areas so that rural hospitals, schools and businesses can drive social and economic development and better position themselves to compete, say Penn State researchers in a recently released report from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.

Clear racial discrepancies exist among patients with CKD
Black patients have a higher risk of dying in the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) than whites, according to a study appearing in the July 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN).

Widespread airbag use could result in dramatic cost savings for US trauma centers
According to research published in the May issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, the new generation of airbags not only helps protect motor vehicle collision (MVC) victims from injury and death, but also are associated with dramatic cost saving to trauma centers.

Study: Patients 75 years and older with brain tumors may benefit from more aggressive treatment
A new study from University Hospitals Case Medical Center (UHCMC) finds that elderly patients - 75 years old and older-- with malignant brain tumors are not treated as aggressively as patients between 65 and 75 years old.

UT Houston dermatologists link family history to shingles susceptibility
Researchers at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston have identified family history as one reason why some people might be more susceptible to shingles, a severe skin condition. Their findings are published in the May 19 issue of Archives of Dermatology.

Fear of crime or anxiety about a rapidly changing society?
Do we really fear crime or are we just anxious about neighbourhood breakdown and the speed of change in society?