The link between cigarette smoke and cardiac disease is well-established, but research conducted by Professor of Medical Science Chi-Ming Hai found that nicotine alone has negative effects on vascular health. 

Most people do not think of fetuses as tumors. But it was this idea that revolutionized how scientists approach prenatal tests. When Dennis Lo, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, attended a lecture on cancer in 1997, he realized that the unborn child can be thought of as a foreign entity in much the same way that tumors involve the presence of foreign DNA. It was this idea that led Sequenom, Inc. to develop a test to identify certain chromosomal abnormalities — specifically Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome, all of which involve an extra copy of a non-sex chromosome. If carried to term, children with these syndromes often show impaired mental and physical development.

On May 19, 1998, the Galaxy IV satellite suffered an on-orbit failure that resulted in a massive telecommunications disruption on Earth. Around 45 million pagers went out of service that day, among other communication outages. The failure of the satellite control processor was attributed to an extraordinarily thin, crystalline, hair-like growth on the electromagnetic switch, known as tin whiskers. 

“They made it to the bathroom, but it was a pretty ugly scene,” said Peter Snyder, professor of neurology. “There was a bit of some pushing to get into the

A study published Feb. 14 in the Journal of Neuroscience shows that the protein biglycan plays an important role in stabilizing synapses, or communication sites, between nerves and muscles. These findings may have clinical implications for patients with degenerative muscular diseases.

To understand the consequences of global uranium trade in Africa, the intricate interaction between political lobbying, government and human interests must be explored, said Gabrielle Hecht, professor of history at the University of Michigan, in a lecture hosted by the science and technology studies program Thursday.

Professor of Physics Leon Cooper, a Nobel Prize winner, has made important contributions to the discipline of physics while passionately teaching undergraduates.

On a day most people remember for the birth of Abraham Lincoln, a smaller group celebrated the birth of Charles Darwin, author of the seminal 1859 work “On the Origin of Species.”

At a recent conference sponsored by Rhode Island’s Family Court, James Greer, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior, and social worker Robert Hagberg, spoke about how trauma can affect the brains of young children.

Opportunity, the Mars Exploration Rover, is on the edge of a great endeavor, literally. The rover, launched in July 2003, is now positioned to begin exploring the 14-mile diameter Endeavour Crater as soon as Mars’ winter ends, said John Callas ScM ’83 PhD ’87, project manager of the NASA Mars Exploration Rover Project. A crowd of about 50 people congregated in Metcalf Auditorium last night to hear him speak.