Researchers discovered that the timing of short and long bright light flashes can create optical illusions by activating two parallel pathways in the brain. These pathways adapt to changes in light, suggesting a complex network for handling perception and consciousness.
The University of Houston has received a grant from the GE Foundation to create a 'math and technology pipeline' for students and teachers in underserved communities. The program aims to improve mathematics skills and technological self-efficacy, with specific goals including increasing student enrollment in advanced math courses.
Researchers found that alcohol impairs cognitive functioning even when motor functioning appears normal. The study suggests that the motor component of information processing recovers during declining blood alcohol concentrations, but the cognitive effects linger, creating a 'illusion' of sobriety.
Research reveals that college women are more likely to experience sexual and nonsexual victimization on days they drink, particularly when consuming heavily. The study found that the odds of experiencing aggression were nine times higher on heavy drinking days compared to non-drinking days.
The National Academies Keck FUTURES INITIATIVE provides seed funding to researchers to pursue new ideas and connections. The grants aim to bridge the gap between bold new ideas and federal funding programs, enabling researchers to develop a line of inquiry and compete for larger awards.
A team of researchers classifies the Park Forest meteorite as an L5 chondrite, a type of stony meteorite. The meteorite showed signs of being highly shocked due to its origin from a large asteroid collision.
A Medical College of Georgia study aims to identify specific protein markers in the blood that indicate how ovarian cancer responds to therapy. By analyzing changes in protein expression over time, researchers hope to develop a better understanding of the disease process and create more effective screening tests.
Researchers René Marois and J. Jay Todd found that the human brain's visual short-term memory has a limited storage capacity of about four objects. This is attributed to the posterior parietal cortex, which plays a key role in holding information from visual scenes.
Researchers found that combining CT and PET scans significantly enhances radiologists' abilities to precisely define tumor locations for radiation treatments. This improves the efficacy of treatment and limits side effects in non-small-cell lung cancer patients. PET-CT scanning units are now available at hundreds of hospitals nationwide.
A study found that community-based heavy drinkers have clear brain metabolite changes associated with lower brain function and are likely of behavioral significance. Brain damage is detectable even in those who function relatively well in the community.
Researchers successfully converted muscle stem cells into cells showing properties of neurons through the use of an artificial gene. This breakthrough suggests that stem cells may be 'flexible' and able to develop into different cell types, paving the way for potential neuroregeneration techniques.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is providing 80 scientists with five-year grants to conduct basic biomedical research in their own countries. This initiative aims to combat emerging and established infectious diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis, and support the development of scientific capacity in regions hit by brain drain.
Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered a key to tackling obesity in humans by studying the thermal regulation system of newborn lambs. The study found that a molecular switch controls the transformation of brown fat into normal white fat, and that activating this switch could potentially lead to new weight loss techniques.
The Proteomics Shared Resource at OHSU enables faster and more precise protein identification, processing up to 180 samples in six hours. The lab's advanced technology, including a robotic arm and mass spectrometer, helps researchers analyze proteins and identify their composition.
Jonathan I. Lunine, a renowned planetary scientist, will testify before the President's Commission on Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy about detecting other Earths around nearby stars. He suggests developing medium-sized optical and infrared space telescopes, the Terrestrial Planet Finder, which could discover habitable ...
A longitudinal study found that early childhood sleep problems predicted substance abuse during adolescence, with around half of children experiencing sleep issues also starting to use substances at an early age. Researchers hope that identifying and treating sleep problems early on may help prevent later substance-use problems.
A study by Texas A&M University reveals Houston's air quality is severely impacted due to industrial emissions and auto exhaust, posing a significant health risk to its 5 million residents. The city must take steps to curb its air pollution problems, including alternative energy sources and more efficient transportation.
A meta-analysis of 14 randomised controlled trials found no significant differences between the failure rates of oral and intravenous rehydration therapies. The researchers conclude that further studies are not warranted, as oral rehydration is less traumatic, simple to administer, and associated with lower hospital admission rates.
Researchers found that older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who continued to exercise regularly maintained improved cognitive, psychological, and physical function over a year, while those who stopped exercising experienced significant declines.
Scientists studying stickleback fish discovered that small changes in gene regulation can lead to rapid skeletal changes without disrupting essential genes. The researchers identified a single region on the chromosome responsible for most of the changes in spine and pelvic morphology, pointing to the key role of the Pitx1 gene.
A new study published in Urology found that men taking AVODART for four years experienced a significant reduction in urinary symptoms and prostate volume, with an average symptom improvement of 6.1 points on the AUA-SI. Long-term treatment also resulted in low incidence of drug-related side effects.
A Stanford study on threespine stickleback fish found that a single gene, Pitx1, is responsible for the loss of hind fins in two distinct populations. The researchers discovered that mutations in this gene can alter limb development without killing the animal.
Young female chimpanzees learned to fish for termites at 31 months, while young males began playing and swinging around at 58 months. Females also copied their mothers' fishing techniques more closely, reflecting their adult sex roles.
Research on young female bowerbirds suggests that they are attracted to blue decorations in the males' bowers, rather than intense courtship displays. This finding has implications for understanding mate selection and could aid wildlife conservation.
A long-term family study found that toddlers with sleep problems are at a higher risk of becoming teens who smoke, drink or do drugs. The study suggests that early sleep problems may be a predictor for later adolescent substance use.
A survey of 32 popular English-language websites found that many promoted unproven therapies and some were even dangerous, while others provided valuable and reliable information. The researchers recommend a seal of approval scheme for complementary and alternative websites to minimize harm.
A new climate model, LDEO5, has been developed by scientists at Columbia University that accurately predicted every major change in the tropical Pacific Ocean temperature over the past 150 years. The model suggests that ENSO is largely driven by internal relationships between ocean temperature and tropical winds.
Researchers have identified two distinct patterns of gene activity that correlate with patient outcomes in intermediate-risk AML. The findings could lead to more personalized treatment approaches for patients with this type of cancer.
A recent USGS review of scientific literature reveals increased reports of disease outbreaks in turtles, corals, mollusks, mammals, and urchins since 1970. However, no significant trends were detected for seagrasses, decapods, or sharks/rays, with even a decrease in disease reports among fish.