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.