A University of Florida study reveals that birds are immune to the spicy chemical in chili peppers, making them essential for seed dispersal. This allows the seeds to germinate and grow in optimal conditions, benefiting the pepper plant's survival.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded a $3 million grant to researchers at North Carolina State University to develop genetically improved strains of the fast-growing loblolly pine. The goal is to produce high-quality wood quickly and efficiently, reducing logging in natural forests and preserving biodiversity.
Professor Morton Gurtin's research extends continuum mechanics to study structural materials at nanoscale length scales, advancing theories of deformation and fracture process. He has been an active collaborator with Italian school of continuum mechanics researchers since many years.
Researchers developed a mathematical model that suggests barring domestic animals from bedrooms can significantly reduce Chagas disease transmission. By analyzing household dynamics, they found keeping dogs in bedrooms is the worst thing for households, while excluding infected dogs from sleeping areas virtually eliminates transmission.
The NWO study found that children receiving iron, zinc, and vitamin A supplements during pregnancy have better resistance to disease. Zinc deficiency is often linked to the same causes as iron deficiency, resulting from one-sided nutrition lacking animal products.
A Rutgers study published in Nature found that people can build strong visual memories for scenes with limited exposure and recall more objects over time. The research suggests that medium-term memory plays a key role in this process, allowing individuals to quickly identify their surroundings without constant visual scanning.
A 1996 study found that nearly half of Asian Indian participants had low vitamin B-12 levels, with 52% showing metabolic indications of deficiency. The study suggests genetic adaptations and gastrointestinal infections may contribute to the high prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency in this population.
A study published in Ambulatory Pediatrics reveals that playground injuries are more severe and common than previously thought, accounting for a significant proportion of emergency visits. The study found that children aged 5-9 years had the highest rates of emergency visits due to playground falls.
The Penn team aims to study how simple biological molecules organize themselves into complex structures and develop synthetic self-assembling molecules with similar properties. Their goal is to create new products such as microscopic capsules for drug delivery, strong carbon fibers, and artificial proteins with improved functionality.
A Johns Hopkins study finds that removing cholesterol from a cell's membrane can completely block HIV transmission. Researchers used microbicides containing a starchy substance that drains cholesterol, allowing for reduced or stopped HIV transmission.
Researchers found that consuming pork with a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fats led to significant reductions in serum total cholesterol (10%) and LDL cholesterol (24%) in young women. The modified pork diet also showed no adverse effects on glucose, insulin, or triacylglycerol levels.
A 10-year study of elderly Dutch men found that those who consumed the most black tea had a significantly lower death rate from ischemic heart disease. High catechin intake was associated with healthy lifestyle practices, such as a balanced diet and regular activity.
A study found that two nutritional screening approaches, one for identifying hospitalization risk and another for detecting warning signs of poor health, were comparable in recognizing elderly at risk. The screenings assessed factors such as weight change, eating habits, medication use, and functional limitations.
Researchers found that milk fortified with vitamins A and D, and higher doses of vitamin E, significantly improved plasma lipid transport. This led to a 9% drop in total cholesterol and 10.7% reduction in LDL cholesterol concentrations after 4 weeks.
A recent study suggests that math constants like pi and log(2) could be normal, meaning their digits are random in a statistical sense. The research, led by David H. Bailey, finds that certain sequences in chaotic dynamics may underlie the normality of these constants.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new link design for wireless infrared local area networks that uses a multi-beam transmitter with a narrow field of view receiver. The system achieves a bit-error rate of one error per billion bits and uses milliwatt transmitted power levels.
The SMART software automates many of a robot's movements while retaining operator control, making police robots quicker and safer. It enables the rapid assembly of off-the-shelf equipment into a working system, overcoming obstacles to system stability in unstructured environments.
A study found that adults with persistent developmental stuttering (PDS) have significantly larger right and left temporal lobes, and more irregularities in brain shape compared to controls. Sex and writing hand preference were also linked to anatomic features.
Small-scale human disturbances, such as heavy vehicle use and recreation, are reducing species diversity in Arctic ecosystems. The study found that these disturbances can cause lasting changes, including melting permafrost and decreased plant biodiversity.
A new analysis of 27 studies reveals that depression is associated with increased numbers, severity and ratings of diabetes complications. The study suggests a complex relationship between depression and diabetes, where underlying mechanisms may be influenced by biological, social and psychological variables.
A systematic review of literature found an association between positive expectations and improved outcomes in myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, chronic pain, and psychiatric conditions. The mechanisms behind this association are still uncertain, with questions surrounding causality versus prediction.
A panel of seven renowned experts, including Henry Black and Jay Cohn, reviewed RESPeRATE's progress and results from six clinical studies. The board expressed excitement about the potential for breathing exercises to modify the cardiovascular system and further evidence of RESPeRATE's effectiveness as a non-drug option to lower high b...
A new study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that African-Americans who report higher levels of religious belief have lower blood pressure. The study measured blood pressure and 'religious coping' in 155 participants and found a significant relationship between the two, with African-Americans experiencing lower blood pressure.
A recent study published in Conservation Biology found that moderate cattle grazing has little to no effect on Texas tortoise populations. The researchers compared tortoise populations in grazed and ungrazed pastures and found no differences in abundance, size, growth rate, or adult survival.
Paul Ehrlich was named Eminent Ecologist by the Ecological Society of America (ESA) in 2001. The award recognizes his groundbreaking work on population biology and coevolution. Ehrlich is a leader in developing conservation biology as a discipline.
A study found that elderly nursing home residents receiving hospice care through Medicare are less likely to be hospitalized in their last days of life compared to those without such care. Hospice care improves the quality of life and reduces costs for the federal government.
The use of embryonic stem cells is a contentious issue, with proponents arguing that they hold promise for medical breakthroughs. However, opponents claim that destroying an embryo is tantamount to infanticide. Scientists generally favor the use of embryonic stem cells due to their versatility.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a promising technique gaining popularity for breast cancer treatment. The new guidelines recommend infrequent surgeons not perform SLN biopsy, and positive results prompt full axillary dissection. However, SLN biopsy is contraindicated in patients with clinically palpable nodes, locally advanced breast can...
A new study reveals that writers who took their own lives used more self-referential words and fewer communication words in their poetry. The research analyzed the works of nine deceased poets and compared them to those of nine non-suicidal peers.
Researchers found that paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, was more effective than imipramine or placebo in reducing depression symptoms and improving patient moods. The study involved 275 patients aged 12-18 with major depression.
This study reveals that managers face significant challenges in achieving a work-life balance due to organizational constraints. Women professionals, particularly in banking, often limit themselves to one child, while doctors have more children, suggesting a broader issue beyond gender-specific policies.
The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) aims to determine if these two dietary supplements can protect against prostate cancer. The study will include 32,400 men across the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada, and will take up to 12 years to complete.
Conservation biologists leverage NASA's technology for biodiversity conservation projects. Satellite and radar images are used to identify high-biodiversity areas, track changes in ecosystems, and understand the impact of human activities on wildlife populations. These studies have implications for reserve creation and corridor managem...
A study assessing guideline quality found 64.6% needed modification, while drug company sponsorship negatively impacted quality. Efforts to promote well-developed guidelines in Ontario are underway.
The new imaging device provides a larger bore diameter, allowing patients with large or obese bodies to receive scans in treatment position. This enables oncologists to obtain more accurate views of the patient's body dimensions and calculate radiation doses for cancer treatment.
Researchers found that trout can spread a fungus, Saprolegnia ferax, to western toad embryos, leading to high mortality rates. Discontinuing fish-stocking may not be enough to control the spread of this disease, according to the study.
Keeping chickens and dogs out of bedrooms can reduce Chagas disease risk by reducing the bug population, say Science researchers. Removing infected dogs from households nearly wipes out transmission of the parasite.
A new UNC study pinpoints the eed gene as crucial for female embryo survival by keeping the paternal X chromosome inactive and regulating genes in early placental cells. Female embryos without a functioning eed do not survive due to problems with forming placentas.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has awarded $22.5 million in grants to three interdisciplinary research teams aiming to accelerate the discovery of new treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The teams will focus on patient-specific therapies, genetic lesions, and molecular biology approaches.
The Ecological Society of America honored outstanding researchers with awards, including the Murray F. Buell Award to Jennifer Klug and David Lytle, and the W. S. Cooper Award to Thomas Swetnam and Julio Betancourt for their work on climate variability in the American Southwest.
Researchers are using $1.7 million in grants to implant radio transmitters on sea lions to determine the causes of their rapid decline, with data stored on a satellite that can be retrieved after the animal has died. The project aims to find out why Steller sea Lions are dying at a rate of 75% in some areas.
Scientists from University of Wisconsin-Madison propose new model for origin of volcanism in young calderas, suggesting high probability of future catastrophic eruption. Tiny crystals of zircon and quartz harbor geochemical clues to past and future volcanic eruptions, including massive explosions that could disrupt global climate.
A five-month study found that psychosocial counseling for war refugee mothers improved their mental health and reduced trauma symptoms. The children of these mothers also experienced significant weight gain, averaging 4.4 pounds more than the control group.
Case Western Reserve University has been awarded a $750,000 grant from the Ohio Eminent Scholars Program to support high-energy density fuel cell research. The university will also establish the Case Institute for Fuel Cells, where the appointed professor will lead technology development and education.
Researchers have learned that Pseudomonas syringae attacks healthy tomato plants by attaching itself to the plant cell, inserting a microscopic tube and sending a pathogenic protein into the cell. The plant cell detects alien proteins and mounts a defense using a molecular surveillance system.
Scientists aim to recreate the hot, dense conditions of the universe's earliest form by smashing gold ions together at nearly the speed of light. The new run is expected to produce 100 times more data and provide a clearer picture of quark-gluon plasma
Research suggests that brain asymmetry, a physical factor, can hinder language development, with children from low-income families showing weaker language mastery. Environmental factors, such as less parental involvement in homework, also play a significant role in reading skills.
A study found that teachers who used color-coded labels to organize students were more likely to create stereotypes among students. However, when teachers ignored these labels, children developed fewer intergroup biases, suggesting that social environment plays a crucial role in shaping prejudice.
A study by Dr. Keith Berend found that fly fishermen experience lower back pain, hand and wrist pain, shoulder and knee pain, and elbow pain due to repetitive arm motions and standing for long periods. Improper casting techniques and carrying heavy gear can exacerbate these issues.
Campers receive controlled dietary intake of calcium, allowing researchers to track bone density changes and determine optimal levels. The goal is to establish guidelines that will help slow bone density decline after middle age.
The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) has completed the genome sequence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes serious infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media. The study provides valuable insights into the bacterium's virulence factors and potential drug targets.
The book examines key issues in dietary supplements, including shelf life testing, regulatory implications, and standardizing botanical extracts. Experts address the need for critical pre-purchase research to protect consumers from potentially dangerous or ineffective products.
A team of Rutgers astronomers has detected a galaxy without a supermassive black hole at its center, marking the first such discovery. The team used Hubble's high-resolution instruments to observe the galaxy M33 and concluded that only a black hole smaller than 3,000 solar masses could be present.
Researchers have discovered a way to link specific microbes to the oxidation of methane in anoxic marine sediments using molecular and stable isotope techniques. This partnership between archaea and sulfate-reducing bacteria extracts energy from methane, removing nearly 80% of the methane in marine sediments.
Researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine believe they have solved a key part of the cystic fibrosis puzzle by finding that there's too little salt in patients' lungs. Long-lasting treatments may be needed to reverse the disease and improve symptoms.
Researchers used voxel-compression mapping to identify early structural brain changes in individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease. The study found that progressive atrophy began 3 years or more before symptom onset, suggesting a presymptomatic phase of increased tissue loss.
A new case of resistance to the antibiotic linezolid has been reported in a patient with MRSA infection, highlighting the need for clinical laboratories to perform susceptibility tests. The finding is rare and has occurred after limited use of the drug, emphasizing the importance of monitoring its effectiveness.
Researchers developed a highly sensitive immunoblot method to detect PrPSc in vCJD tissues, revealing its presence in lymphoid tissues and high concentrations in tonsil. The findings suggest new models for risk-management and highlight the need for further investigation into peripheral tissue transmission.
New estimates suggest that Earth's temperature could rise between 1.7 and 4.9 degrees Celsius over the next 100 years, with a 90% likelihood of warming within this range. The likelihood of more extreme warming scenarios is low, but still poses significant risks to society if not addressed through climate control measures.
Research by Mrs Philippa Hankinson of the University of Surrey Roehampton finds that charity branding is crucial for attracting voluntary donations. High brand-orientated fundraisers generate more income than their low-brand peers, while medium and high-branded fundraisers exert more influence in their organisations.