The study found that children of this age learn through role play and imaginative play, but pressures on time and space make it difficult to fit into the curriculum. Outdoor play spaces are essential to capture and engage their interest, allowing for sustained and complex imaginative play.
A dramatic increase in research into neglected diseases such as malaria and leprosy could lead to the development of at least eight new drugs by 2010. The analysis found that Public-Private Partnerships have been a critical driver of this growth, bringing together the best skills of both public and private partners.
Research suggests that pigment spots on bird eggs strengthen the shell by compensating for reduced thickness caused by calcium deficiency. Females nesting on low-calcium soils lay thinner-shelled, more-spotted eggs than those on high-calcium soils.
Researchers say current measures to protect individual privacy can destroy information needed for geographical analyses, hindering public health research. New agent software may provide healthcare professionals with accurate and meaningful information without compromising patient identities.
Researchers at University of Edinburgh develop simpler way to produce negatively-refracting materials for lens construction, enabling cost-effective exploitation of negative refraction technologies. This breakthrough has significant implications for fields like telecommunications, microwave engineering, and optics.
A study of 32 patients with heart failure found that those experiencing depression had nearly twice the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in their blood. This increase was associated with worsened heart function, as TNF-alpha promotes inflammation and reduces the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.
The study found that mice with normal and intermediate levels of CB1 receptors drank significantly less alcohol compared to their pre-treatment levels after being treated with a drug known to block CB1 receptors. The results also showed that mice with no CB1 receptors showed no change in drinking in response to the treatment.
Researchers used advanced techniques to study human hair and found that conditioners don't evenly cover the entire hair shaft, leading to frizz. A new conditioner formula has been developed with additives to improve even coverage, and similar techniques could be applied to beauty products like lipstick and nail polish.
A study found that AML patients with the 8;21 translocation have a poor response to treatment and are more likely to relapse. Nonwhite patients with this abnormality were almost six times less likely to achieve complete remission than whites.
Researchers discovered that prions can rapidly 'remodel' good protein into bad, shedding important light on the molecular machinery behind infectious brain diseases. This process may also help explain the progression of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.
Researchers have designed a prototype prosthetic hand called the 'Southampton Remedi-Hand' that mimics human movement and grip, weighing only 400g. The hand features independent finger movement, a functional thumb with opposable motion, and integrated sensors to detect pressure and object slipping.
Researchers found that the drug combination increased stem cell mobilization in 25 patients, reducing the number of necessary stem cell collections. This can lead to more successful transplantations and faster recovery for cancer patients.
Researchers suggest a multidisciplinary approach to managing low back pain, using a step-wise approach with various treatment modalities such as pharmacological treatment, rehabilitation programs, and minimally invasive techniques. This approach can help avoid more invasive surgical treatment options and reduce healthcare costs.
A comprehensive tobacco cessation plan could help 33 million smokers quit, adding years of life to former smokers and reducing health care costs for all Americans. The plan, which includes free medications and counseling, is based on scientific evidence and has the potential to dramatically reduce the human and financial tolls of tobacco.
A team of researchers at UC Berkeley has successfully created a Bose-Einstein condensate in a magnetic storage ring, containing rubidium atoms at extremely low temperatures. The cold collisions of these slow-moving atoms may reveal new insights into quantum physics.
Community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains have been found to evade the human immune system, leading to more severe infections in otherwise healthy individuals. The study identified specific genes that may control the bacteria's ability to escape neutrophil destruction.
Researchers aim to build a computer model of gene and protein function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a single-celled fungus with human-like genetic traits. The project uses a unique 'genomic yeast library' to determine protein function and potentially develop new treatments for diseases.
Researchers found that cave crickets in Texas forage up to 80 meters from their caves, double the previously reported range. This discovery highlights the need to extend protective buffer areas around caves to safeguard endangered invertebrate species.
Boston University has reached the 59th position on the TOP500 List of Supercomputing Sites with its new BlueGene/L unit, which will be used by approximately 500 researchers. The supercomputer's computational power will enable research in subnuclear physics, genetics, and space weather modeling.
Researchers found a strong association between endotoxin levels and asthma prevalence, with bedroom floor and bedding dust having the highest concentrations. Exposure to endotoxins worsens asthma symptoms in adults, regardless of allergy status.
Researchers found that exposing egg cells to nitric oxide can slow the hardening of their outer shells and increase the release of cortical granules, potentially extending their fertilizable time window. This could lead to improved fertility in women and reduce the risk of chromosomal abnormalities during early embryonic development.
A team of scientists has created a new method for controlled release of drugs by layering thin polymer films with embedded drugs. This technique allows for precise timing and sequence control, opening up broader applications in medicine.
The emerald ash borer's invasive beetle population is rapidly spreading in Ontario's ash forests, despite containment efforts. The insect's distribution expanded dramatically in 2004, infecting new sites beyond a previously created firewall in Essex County.
Recorded numbers of new sexually transmitted infections have doubled in five years, with many patients waiting over two weeks for treatment. Increasing capacity is essential to break the 'vicious circle' of delayed treatment and reduce future demand.
A new study suggests that investing in tuberculosis control programs in high-incidence countries like Mexico, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic can reduce TB cases and deaths in the US. The research predicts that $35 million in funding would result in net savings of $108 million over 20 years.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to reduce the cost of producing quantum dots by 80% by replacing expensive solvents with cheap heat-transfer fluids. The new method uses mathematical modeling and experimentation to predict particle size and growth behavior based on solvent properties.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect Earth-like planets by analyzing the chemistry of silicate vapor and steam-rich atmospheres. The approach uses thermochemical equilibrium calculations to identify the presence of silicon monoxide gas, which is expected to be distinct at high temperatures during the planet's formation.
A team of British, US, and French scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding the behavior of high-energy particles in the Van Allen radiation belts. They found that low-frequency radio waves cause particle acceleration and intensify the belts, contradicting long-held theory.
Ivan Valiela is a renowned biologist recognized for his leadership in estuarine education and research. He has advised over 50 students and produced more than 200 publications, with a focus on the links between humans and coastal environments.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that climate change affects the oceans' ability to store carbon dioxide. The best location for injecting CO2 into the deep ocean changes with climate change, with the Atlantic Ocean proving more effective than other locations.
A new UCLA study highlights the importance of using CT scans to evaluate cervical spine injuries, finding that x-rays fail to detect secondary injuries in 36% of cases. The researchers recommend that all patients with cervical spine injuries undergo CT imaging to identify missed injuries and non-contiguous injuries.
Scientists have built molecules that can move large droplets of liquid across surfaces and up slopes against gravity. This breakthrough could lead to the development of artificial muscles and smart materials with potential applications in drug delivery and nanotechnology.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have successfully used molecular information processors to perform logic operations and process information in spaces a few nanometres across. This breakthrough harnesses the principle of photo-induced electron transfer, mimicking the process of photosynthesis.
Researchers found that small prions are significantly more infectious than large ones, yet there is a lower size limit beyond which infectivity is lost. The study's findings suggest that treatments targeting large prion deposits may do more harm than good by releasing the most infectious particles.
Researchers found that consumers tend to spend more money on brand-name items when someone they don't know is nearby. In contrast, consumers are more likely to buy cheaper items when no one is around. The study suggests that store owners can increase profits by optimizing product placement to minimize feelings of isolation or anxiety.
The Open Network Laboratory (ONL) provides a platform for researchers to develop, test, and demonstrate improvements in networking environments. With its high-performance routers and extensibility features, the ONL enables users to create new communication services and evaluate innovative ideas in a realistic setting.
The Linked Environments Atmospheric Discovery project aims to create a high-speed computing infrastructure for timely and accurate weather forecasts. The system will pool data from various sources, including ground sensors, satellites, and radars, to launch hundreds of simulations at the same time, resulting in more accurate predictions.
Researchers have found evidence of past water on Mars at the Gusev crater, indicating a hydrologic system that deposited magnesium sulfate and formed highly oxidized coatings. The study used data from the Spirit rover's trenches to detect high levels of magnesium sulfate and showed a tight correlation between magnesium and sulfur.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified a new target for diabetes treatment: the protein TORC2. TORC2 regulates glucose production in liver cells and its activation can improve insulin sensitivity. The discovery holds promise for developing more effective diabetes medications.
Researchers at UTSA are studying safe effective vaccine candidates for long-term immunity against tularemia, a deadly pathogen associated with a 30-40% mortality rate. The study will focus on understanding the organism's strategies to evade immune responses and develop T-cell protection.
Scientists found evidence of rapid climatic change and massive burial of dead organic matter in ancient sediments. This variability led to oxygen-depleted deep ocean conditions and extreme climate fluctuations on land.
The Gaza Strip faces a severe contaminated water crisis, with the only source being unsuitable for drinking due to high levels of salinity and pollution. A proposed management plan aims to provide a win-win situation but requires cooperation between Israel and Palestine.
Researchers used chondrites to calculate early Earth's atmosphere, finding a reducing atmosphere with methane and ammonia. This contradicts the Miller-Urey experiment, which relied on an oxidizing atmosphere.