Researchers at Ohio State University found that pre-exam stress hinders students' ability to solve complex problems. After an exam, however, stress levels dropped, allowing for improved performance on word and shape tests.
Researchers from Brown University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered detailed atomic arrangements in Laves phases, a class of intermetallics that shatter easily. The study reveals the accepted dislocation model does not apply to these complex materials, shedding light on their brittleness.
The varicella vaccine has significantly reduced the number of chickenpox cases and deaths from varicella, with a 66% decline in mortality. However, its impact on herpes zoster incidence, age distribution, and severity remains uncertain, emphasizing the need for continued vaccination programs.
Researchers created high-quality superconducting wires with molecular dimensions, showing that theories apply to molecular-scale superconductors. The nanowires showed a remarkably weak effect on magnetic fields, contradicting previous expectations.
The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of data-mining tools in identifying threat levels and national security interests. The UC Riverside team, including graduate students and staff, will work closely with experts from Bell Laboratories and Lucent Technologies.
The 2005 Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI) ranks countries on 21 elements of environmental sustainability. Finland scores highest, performing well on issues like air pollution and global-scale environmental efforts, while the US ranks 45th due to weaker performance on waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions.
Physicist Gary Zank and his team at UCR will study the heliosphere and interstellar space with the $134-million IBEX mission. The team aims to confirm or refute predictions about the hydrogen wall, a boundary comprised of hydrogen atoms and protons.
Scientists are investigating ways to stop rapid deterioration and restore marsh land in Louisiana's southern coastal wetlands, which are losing a football field-sized area every 35 minutes. The consequences of losing the wetlands will be far-reaching, affecting oil and gas prices, causing them to rise everywhere.
A large multicenter study will record injuries from non-lethal weapons like Tasers and bean bags, with a focus on documenting the severity of these injuries. The study, led by Wake Forest Baptist, aims to rate the safety of less-lethal weapons for the first time.
Researchers found situations of profound neglect, abuse, and physical danger due to drug production at home. The study also highlighted the positive response of rural communities, who stepped up to provide support and care for affected children.
Researchers have developed a novel method called MR scoring to rapidly detect preterm birth from inflammation and infection in women. The test uses biomarkers Human neutrophil defensin 1, Human neutrophil defensin 2, Calgranulin C and Calgranulin A to identify women at risk of premature delivery with high sensitivity and specificity.
The study used combined PET and MRI to track cocaine pharmacokinetics in pregnant nonhuman primates. The results showed that cocaine accumulated at the highest levels in the liver, and to a lesser extent in the brain, suggesting a unique anatomy of fetal circulation.
The Laupala cricket's unique courtship songs play a crucial role in its rapid speciation, resulting in the formation of new species. This phenomenon sheds light on the role of individual choices in shaping species evolution and biodiversity.
A study published in Science found that prions, the infectious agents behind mad cow disease, can accumulate in organs such as the liver and pancreas in animals with chronic inflammation. The discovery suggests that the current risk classification for farm animal organs may need to be reassessed in animals suffering from inflammation.
A University of Central Florida study compared two weight-loss and exercise programs, one conducted at a center and the other at home. The results showed that women who followed the home-based program lost an average of 23 pounds and experienced significant improvements in blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Researchers have developed coating technologies to improve the environmental persistence of biopesticides, increasing their resistance to UV radiation. This technology could make other biopesticides more effective as well.