A Yale University study will investigate the effects of marijuana, ecstasy, and teen cognitive deficits in 200 adolescents. The research aims to determine if sustained abstinence leads to recovery of cognitive function in this population.
A team of researchers at Cornell University has developed a compact, all-optical switch on silicon that can control light signals in real-time. This innovation paves the way for high-speed optical routing in fiber-optic communications, eliminating the need for conversion between electrical and optical signals.
A new study from Saint Louis University has found that a standard test for vitamin B12 deficiency may be too insensitive, leading to potential misdiagnosis. The research urges doctors to also test for levels of methylmalonic acid in patients suspected of having the deficiency, which can easily be reversed with treatment.
The AEX XML Schemas specify ways to express equipment requirements, enabling seamless data exchange and automating design collaboration. NIST and FIATECH plan to extend the standard to cover more types of equipment.
Researchers find adenosine controls timing of neural activity in developing visual system, shedding light on disorders like fetal anti-convulsant syndrome. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches, such as recreating spontaneous waves of activity for adult retinas.
Working memory develops and improves with maturity, allowing voluntary control over behavior. Adults rely on a third brain area for optimal performance, whereas children and adolescents use different regions of the brain. This study informs understanding of thinking processes and may lead to new treatments for psychiatric illnesses.
A new discovery by Pilar Ruiz-Lapuente and colleagues identifies a clear path for Type Ia supernovae to form in binary star systems. The research found that the companion star is similar to our sun, but slightly older and with high heavy-element content, supporting the theory that Type Ia supernovae originate from these systems.
Scientists discovered a rigid, ordered arrangement of holes in a copper oxide compound called SCO. The hole crystal is believed to be linked to another charge arrangement, known as stripes, which may contribute to superconductivity. Researchers plan to study the relationship between the two arrangements further.
A new study finds that adult dyslexics can improve their reading skills with a phonological intervention program, revealing potential for late-life literacy gains. The brain scans also showed activity changes in specific regions, including the right hemisphere, as a way to compensate for deficiencies.
Researchers are developing new technologies to extract hemicelluloses from wood chips, which can be converted into fuel ethanol, industrial polymers, and composite products. The goal is to create an integrated forest products biorefinery that increases paper production while reducing costs.
Researchers found that adults with dyslexia who received phonics-based instruction showed significant improvements in reading ability, including gains of 6-23% in text reading and phonetic awareness. The study also revealed changes in brain activity associated with phonetic processing.
Researchers are exploring the use of genetically endowed worms to replace rodent studies in toxicology testing, potentially saving millions of dollars. The C. elegans worm has a unique biology that makes it an ideal model for testing chemicals, with its short lifespan and transparent body allowing for direct monitoring of internal organs.
A recent study published in JAMA found that a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and antidepressant medication is effective in treating adolescent obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The study, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, involved 112 children aged 7-17 who were randomly assigned to r...
A new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that intra-abdominal fat is a significant predictor of heart attack risk. Researchers discovered that as people age, fat tends to accumulate in the abdomen more than other areas, increasing the risk of heart attacks.
A new analysis has found a link between breastfeeding and lower risks of both acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) in children. The study suggests that even short-term breastfeeding may be protective, particularly during the first few months.
Research reveals that adult dyslexics can improve visual and auditory reading skills through intensive training, accompanied by increased brain activity in specific regions.
Researchers have found that a protein in brain waves is disrupted by chronic alcohol use, leading to sleep problems. This suggests new medications may improve sleep in chronic alcohol users and enhance addiction treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that physical inactivity leads to higher medical costs, with heart disease being the most expensive outcome. The study estimated $83.6 million in medical expenditures related to physical inactivity among 1.5 million adult members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
Researchers at Wright State University have discovered a way to convert zinc oxide, commonly used in baby powder, into a light-emitting source. This breakthrough has the potential to replace traditional lighting with a more efficient and cost-effective option, resulting in significant power savings of up to $12 billion per year.
The NIH has awarded $68 million to 1,407 new student loan repayment contracts in Fiscal Year 2004. These programs provide up to $35,000 of qualified educational debt repayment for health professionals pursuing careers in clinical, pediatric, contraception and infertility, or health disparities research.
A new system will be tested at Denver International Airport to detect freezing drizzle and prevent engine damage. The system can identify the hazard more accurately than visual observation, which often goes undetected due to small droplet size.
A new study suggests that cruise ship living could be an attractive option for seniors who enjoy travel and require some assistance with daily activities. The research found that cruise ship living results in higher quality care over a 20-year period, despite being $2,000 more expensive than traditional assisted living facilities.
Paratek Pharmaceuticals has demonstrated disease protection in preclinical studies using non-antibacterial tetracycline compounds, which have no detectable antibacterial activity. These compounds show efficacy comparable to minocycline in reducing limb paralysis in the EAE model of MS.
A new microbial fuel cell technology can produce up to 72 watts per square meter, generating electricity from organic matter. The device has the potential to power small wastewater treatment plants and treat waste from animal farms and food processing industries.
Regular exercise improves physical and psychological well-being among people with spinal cord injuries, as well as older adults and nursing home residents. Exercise also promotes stability and ease of movement for lower-limb amputees, while correcting visual impairments can improve rehabilitation effectiveness.
Clemson University receives a $600,000 NSF grant to support biomaterials research and the growth of an advanced materials industry cluster. The grant aims to facilitate technology transfer between academia and private industry, promoting economic development in South Carolina.
Dolphin brains are significantly larger than expected for their body size, with some species having brain sizes comparable to those of modern humans. This study suggests that cetaceans may possess cognitive abilities similar to those of great apes, challenging traditional views of human exceptionalism.
A team is using technology to monitor and analyze patients' daily activities, providing a more accurate picture of their condition. The study compares traditional methods with high-tech devices, aiming to develop better ways to support those with dementia.
The U.Va. Health System's new TomoTherapy system provides precise radiation therapy with 3-D imaging, reducing high-dose exposure to healthy tissue and potential side effects for cancer patients. The technology also enables faster treatment times and improved accuracy in targeting tumors.
Researchers develop a new method that embeds data in ultra-short pulses of laser light, shaped via fractal modulation as wavelets, to improve communication reliability. The system achieves higher average bit rates than conventional optical wireless links and ensures on-the-fly operation without significant electronic processing.
A new Italian study found that women with endometriosis have a significantly higher prevalence of migraine, but no link to attack frequency or pain intensity. The study also suggests that investigating headaches in women with endometriosis is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers discovered that brain activity in the hippocampus, a key learning center, correlates with improved memory performance after sleep. Spatial memories were found to be strengthened during slow wave sleep, suggesting that sleep plays a crucial role in consolidating recent memory traces.
The NIH awards $1 million for research on Diamond Blackfan anemia, a genetic blood disorder linked to increased risk of adult cancers and birth defects. Researchers will broaden the DBA Registry of North America to gain insight into cancer susceptibility and develop new approaches for examining the origins of this disease.
A new study by researchers finds that Native American lands are disproportionately located near extremely dangerous military sites contaminated with unexploded ordnance. The research, published in the American Sociological Review, examines the role of militarism in environmental inequalities affecting Native Americans.
Fishermen in North Sea face severe economic consequences from discarding unwanted fish and marine life back into the ocean. The study proposes restricting access to certain areas and adapting fishing gear to reduce discards, with allocated incentives for compliant fishermen.
Researchers found that heat can alter drug dosage and appearance, putting patients with respiratory conditions at risk. The study advises patients to inspect mail-order medications before consumption and avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a new software program that judges the quality of scanned fingerprints. The software assigns a quality level ranging from 1 for high-quality prints to 5 for unusable prints, helping ensure accurate matches.
Researchers found that a defect in RGS4 gene may cause schizophrenia-like symptoms, such as difficulty filtering out unimportant sensory information. The study uses mouse brain nerve cell circuitry to better understand the cause of schizophrenia.
Yerkes researchers are presenting a variety of new data at the Society for Neuroscience Meeting, demonstrating advances in understanding brain function and behavior. Key findings include insights into how evolution has shaped human cellular systems, stress response mechanisms, and the role of vasopressin in social recognition.
Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) without cardiac surgery backup are at a higher risk of death, with a 29% increased mortality rate compared to those with surgical backup. PCIs performed for reasons other than acute myocardial infarction treatment also carry a higher risk of adverse outcomes.