Rats' brain composition changes until 180 days of age, with axon myelination increasing and visual information transfer between hemispheres potentially improving. The study challenges previous beliefs about brain growth and offers insights into potential neurological disorders.
Three UNC-CH School of Journalism and Mass Communication faculty members have books recognized for their impact on the field. Philip E. Meyer's Precision Journalism and Donald L. Shaw's The Emergence of American Political Issues are seminal works that analyze journalistic influence on politics.
Researchers discovered that sea slugs, despite their simple brain structure, make decisions based on a sliding scale of pleasure and pain. Hungry snails are quicker to strike at tempting food sources, while satiated ones avoid danger, reflecting the need for a meal to overcome prey defenses.
A new therapy, using a CPAP device, reduces hypernasal speech in people with repaired cleft palates by strengthening the muscles of the soft palate. The study, conducted on 43 subjects aged under 19, shows significant improvement after eight weeks of treatment.
Researchers at 3M have developed a new type of reflective film made from polyester and other polymers that reflects light with great efficiency from all angles. The mirrors created by Dr. Ouderkirk and his team outperform conventional dielectric mirrors, which have limitations in reflecting light at certain angles.
A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that physically demanding work significantly increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. The authors recommend improving national maternity leave policies to provide workers with pay, health benefits, and job security.
The NIH granted Vion Pharmaceuticals a two-year, $750,000 Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) grant to enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of its TAPET bacterial vector. The goal is to deliver potent anti-cancer agents directly at the tumor site, leveraging TAPET's preferential replication in tumors.
A $4.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation is helping researchers link disparate databases and protect confidential data for economic and social scientists. The project aims to improve quality of the Census Bureau's surveys and enable better research on social issues like welfare-to-work and aging.
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.
Researchers discovered that viral load is a critical predictor of HIV transmission between men and women, regardless of gender. Individuals with low levels of the virus in their blood did not transmit the virus to their partner.
UW researchers find that oscillating magnetic fields can kill malaria parasites by damaging their iron-containing structures. The treatment could be inexpensive and simple, bypassing emerging drug resistance concerns.
Scientists have found a genetic switch that helps calm anxiety in mice, revealing the role of Crhr2 receptor in reducing stress response. The discovery provides an initial motivation for further dissecting potential drug discovery programs.
Researchers have detected significant speed-ups and slow-downs in the rotation rate of gases at the inner edge of a spherical shell known as the convection zone. The discovery is believed to shed light on the physical dynamics of the 11-year solar cycle that affects Earth.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School found a genetic protein that influences the brain's body map, contradicting previous thinking that neural input from the body's periphery shapes it. The discovery raises questions about individual differences in sensory function and potential genetic basis for variations in brain organization.
A North Carolina State University professor argues that a greater understanding of ancient medicine could provide modern doctors with new ways to treat diseases and identify potential dangers. He cites examples such as St. John's wort, which was initially used as an antiseptic but later found to have abortifacient effects.
Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that tea drinkers had a 5% greater mean BMD than non-tea drinkers, equating to a 10-20% decline in fracture risk. Isoflavonoids in tea are thought to contribute to this positive effect.
Researchers developed a novel method to improve polymers by changing their organization using small molecules as additives. The new method creates a gel-like material with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties, as well as unique optical properties, including birefringence and wavelength reflection.
A new iceberg has broken from Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf, just east of one discovered on March 17. The new iceberg is approximately 130 km by 20 km and was detected using high-resolution satellite data provided by the Antarctic Meteorological Research Center.
A study led by Johns Hopkins found that patients with high blood pressure taking beta blockers were 28% more likely to develop diabetes than those not taking the medication. In contrast, thiazide diuretics were associated with a lower risk of diabetes.
A strain of mutant flies with a crippled light-reactive pigment maintains a steady clock under constant light. The fly cryptochrome dCRY is the only photoreceptor molecule regulating the fly's circadian rhythm.
A new study suggests that human aging and its associated diseases can be traced to gradual increases in cell division errors in tissues throughout the body. Altered gene expression results in cells with diminished function, leading to aging.
Research from the University of Birmingham found little evidence of exercise addiction among women, unless they have an eating disorder like bulimia or anorexia. The study showed no significant psychological problems among women who exercised excessively compared to non-exercisers.
Recent UI studies found that frequent marijuana users have substantially lower blood flow to certain parts of their brains, indicating altered brain function. However, smoking the illicit drug does not affect brain size or structure, contradicting previous claims.
A Purdue University chemist has developed a method that uses high-energy ultraviolet rays to remove the gasoline additive MTBE from contaminated ground water. The technique involves exposing tainted water to UV rays, oxygen, and titanium dioxide, which eventually turns the compound into carbon dioxide.
A UNC-CH study reveals that fewer than 5,000 patients in North Carolina use cardiac rehabilitation services despite being eligible for Medicare coverage, leading to concerns about disparities among women and minority groups who are disproportionately affected by heart disease.
Research by Marc Breedlove suggests that higher levels of male hormones in the womb can increase a person's likelihood of developing a homosexual orientation. Finger length measurements, influenced by fetal androgen levels, also showed correlations with sexual orientation.
Researchers identify epigallocatechin and epigallocatechin-gallate as key compounds responsible for flavor changes in commercial processing, and suggest adding vitamin C to preserve their stability. This discovery could lead to improved bottled or canned green-tea taste and enhanced health benefits.
Research in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that short boys were more likely to repeat a grade, with two-thirds being boys. The study suggests that height may influence the decision to keep children back a year, reflecting societal biases against short children.
A study of over 400 HIV-positive and negative heterosexual couples found that lower HIV blood levels are associated with reduced transmission risk. Individuals with viral loads below 1,500 copies/mL had no infected partners.
Researchers discovered two mutations in a sodium channel gene that regulate electrical activity in nerve cells, which may cause inherited forms of epilepsy. Genetic testing could identify at-risk infants and prevent seizures and neurological damage.
Researchers have developed an electrochemical analyzer to detect sulfur-rich compounds at deep-sea vents. The sensor may help identify ancient bacteria and unlock important information about vent life.
Researchers analyzed X-rays of 180 frogs collected at 16 sites in three states, revealing site-specific and time-dependent influences on malformation development. The study suggests that tadpoles received the same developmental insult at the same stage, contributing to the wide geographic occurrence and variety of deformities.
New USGS research shows that frog and toad abundance and species richness are low in urban areas but near normal in agricultural areas. The study also confirms the role of forests as important amphibian habitat, suggesting that habitat quality is crucial for these species.
Cornell researchers are developing an enzyme-based process to convert biomass waste into auto fuel, offering a cheaper alternative to oil. The process breaks down plant fibers into fermentable sugars using thermophilic bacteria enzymes.
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.
Researchers applied modern forensic DNA techniques to a 30,000-year-old Neanderthal infant, resolving the debate on human evolution. The study revealed that modern humans diverged from Neanderthals around 500,000 years ago, supporting the out-of-Africa model.
USGS scientists have linked recent boreal toad deaths in Rocky Mountain National Park to a chytrid fungus. The fungus has been identified as the cause of amphibian die-offs globally and is being studied for its origin, incidence, distribution, and control methods.
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.
A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that sports massage has little effect on muscle power and blood lactate levels, contradicting its long-held use as a recovery aid. However, participants who received massage reported feeling significantly better than those who rested.
A study of over a thousand babies born after ICSI found an increased risk of abnormalities compared to babies born without fertility treatments. However, most abnormalities were linked to conditions associated with multiple or premature births rather than the ICSI technique itself.
A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that women who smoke during pregnancy are 50-70% more likely to give birth to a baby with cleft lip or palate. The risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked daily, even after controlling for factors like mother's race, age, and education level.
Researchers found a species of frog in Puerto Rico that develops directly from eggs into fully formed adults, retaining the need for thyroid hormone despite bypassing the tadpole phase. This discovery showcases a classic case of evolutionary change in development, where the species adapted to evade predators by losing the tadpole stage.
Mathematicians Frank Morgan and colleagues have proved the Double Bubble Conjecture, showing that the double soap bubble is the most efficient shape for separating two air volumes. The proof uses only pencil and paper, making it a significant breakthrough in mathematical research.
Researchers developed an interactive 3D molecular model of GRK2, a crucial regulator of neurotransmitter and hormone receptors. The model allowed scientists to interact with the molecular structure, facilitating the identification of new lead compounds as inhibitors of GRK2.
The Neisseria meningitidis genome contains hundreds of repetitive elements that facilitate genome fluidity and antigenic variation. The most abundant element is the neisserial DNA uptake sequence, which enables transformation among different species.
A study by Ulf Dimberg found that facial muscle activity can be spontaneously evoked without conscious awareness, suggesting subconscious emotional communication. The results support the theory that important aspects of face-to-face interaction can occur on a subconscious level.
Tiny gold nanoclusters exhibit distinctly chiral properties, dramatically affecting polarized light absorption. The clusters' unique structure and conduction electron circulation produce a helical effect comparable to naturally-helical structures.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have discovered exactly how beta-lactamase deactivates penicillin, a crucial step in understanding the mechanism of resistance. This breakthrough could lead to improved antibiotic design and help combat hospital-acquired infections caused by resistant bacteria.
The University of Pittsburgh has developed a new organ culture model to study HIV transmission in women, which could lead to breakthroughs in barrier medications and prevention strategies. The model, described in the journal Nature Medicine, closely mimics the stratified cell layers present at sites of sexual transmission in women.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered an immune-cell mechanism that boosts the potency of therapeutic antibodies. The finding could lead to more effective cancer treatments by manipulating the interaction between antibodies and Fc receptors on immune cells.
Researchers at Cornell University have identified and cloned a key gene in the reproductive system of male cockroaches, which could lead to the development of safe and effective birth control. The goal is to create a pesticide that specifically targets pests without harming other insects or humans.
A study by Duke University psychologists found that specific drugs for treating AIDS, heart disease, and depression have foul or bitter tastes that can stop patients from taking their medication. This phenomenon affects not only nutrition but also mood and well-being.
A University of Toronto study has shown that botox injections can effectively relieve headache pain, especially for patients with neck-related headaches. The treatment group experienced a substantial reduction in pain and improvement in range of motion after just four weeks.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have created a gel that allows women to control their fertility and reduce the risk of infection from HIV, yeast infections, and other STDs. The acylcarnitium analog, Z-15, has demonstrated in vitro effectiveness as a spermicide and inhibits multiple STDs.
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 ...
Researchers found that individuals with severe mental illnesses can achieve long-term residential stability when given access to safe, affordable housing linked to outpatient services. Substance abuse was a major factor in disrupting residential stability, highlighting the need for new strategies to improve housing alternatives.
The South Central Section of the Geological Society of America will explore the effects of animal waste on groundwater quality. Scientists will present studies on the survival rate of bacteria in groundwater, hydrogeologic investigations revealing interbasin recharge's impact on nutrient loads.
A new research center at the University of Michigan will study new ways to see cancer using sophisticated medical imaging technology, including MRI and PET scans. The center aims to improve diagnosis and treatment by spotting important molecular events during cancer growth, potentially laying the groundwork for new therapies.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that teasing young girls about their weight can lead to serious eating disorders, poor body image, and distorted eating patterns. The study involved approximately 100 girls in grades seven and eight from schools in Kitchener and Waterloo areas.
Researchers at USC found no significant change in average sperm count over three decades, contradicting previous studies. Sperm abnormalities were common, but did not impact overall fertility.