A team of researchers at Texas A&M University has developed a vacuum system that can detect anthrax and other biological agents in mail sorting machines. The device, which is being developed by the McDivitt laboratory, uses a detector to identify and quantify both biological and chemical agents.
A low-intensity behavioral and social skill program showed promise in reducing ADHD symptoms in children and improving parent-child relationships. The study found that parents who participated in the class reported fewer ADHD symptoms in their children and more consistent discipline practices, while teachers saw no significant difference.
Researchers found that North American red squirrels are adapting to warmer temperatures by advancing their breeding cycle by 18 days over 10 years. The team used quantitative genetics to separate individual plasticity from genetic adaptation, revealing a long-term trend of phenotypic plasticity.
The UK has launched a new 'global partnerships' program aimed at fostering science and technology partnerships with the US. The program, which combines expertise from three British Government divisions, has already yielded over 20 partnership projects in its US pilot program.
A Michigan researcher has developed practical suggestions to balance tourism with bird conservation in the Pantanal. Stakeholders' perceptions of a wading bird colony as a community resource have been studied, leading to implemented measures such as staffed observation posts and guided tours.
A recent NHLBI study found a link between low levels of endothelial progenitor cells and increased cardiovascular disease risk. The study suggests that these cells play a crucial role in repairing damaged blood vessels, and their depletion may contribute to the progression of heart disease.
A study found that stress can alter fetal heart rates in response to a woman's emotional state, potentially impacting long-term health and development. The research suggests that high anxiety levels may shape fetal heart rate patterns even before birth.
Researchers found a significant inverse correlation between circulating endothelial progenitor cells and cardiovascular risk factors. They also discovered that individuals with higher cardiovascular risk factors experience premature aging of these cells.
A study by Cornell University found that work stress significantly impacts the food choices of low- and middle-income adults, particularly women with children. The research highlights the need for workplace solutions, such as healthy food options and self-care strategies, to address this issue.
A survey of Duke University students reveals nearly one in 10 experienced a blackout while drinking, with risks linked to lower GPAs and problem drinking. The study highlights the need for early alcohol-awareness training to prevent hazardous choices during blackouts.
At 2-6 months old, infants learn to connect visible bits and pieces of the world to form mental representations. By 4 months, they can accurately perceive occlusions in object trajectories, laying the foundation for lifelong visual perception.
A new screening method uses glowing worms to test neuroprotective compounds, which may lead to new Parkinson's disease treatments. Researchers can selectively kill dopamine neurons in living worms using neurotoxins, and the green glow dims when they die.
A study led by Dr Andrea Litva found that both health professionals and lay people do not currently support direct public involvement in clinical governance. The research suggests that creating a culture shift among lay people will require time and support from primary care trusts to involve the public effectively.
Researchers found that healthy individuals vary in gene expression levels in circulating blood cells, with some genes used at varying levels depending on time of day and age. Despite these differences, the study revealed remarkable similarity in the genes used among the subjects.
A new study confirms that Braille is crucial for visual cortex development in blind individuals, regardless of age of blindness. The research used fMRI to compare early and late blind subjects, finding similar activation patterns in the visual cortex.
Researchers have developed microscale channels to guide neuron growth in damaged nerves, a breakthrough that shows promise for treating nerve injuries. The technique uses biodegradable polymer films with microscopic patterns to direct nerve cell growth, with initial results showing rats regaining use of their legs after injury.
A new study published in Nature reveals that all of Madagascar's living Carnivora descended from a single species that dispersed from Africa to the island. The findings refute two previously accepted models for mammal colonization and provide further evidence that lemurs also colonized the island in a single event.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have determined the 3D structure of the HER2 breast cancer receptor, shedding light on its interactions with the Herceptin antibody. The findings could lead to the design of more effective drugs for treating breast cancer.