According to Dr. Stephen Cunnane, early humans' diet of shore-based food provided essential nutrients for brain growth, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and iodine. This diet helped launch Homo sapiens brains past their primate peers, sparking the growth of the human brain.
Agriculture can offer ecosystem services like cleaner air, water, and wildlife habitats by managing land in a way that appreciates non-marketable benefits. This approach aims to encourage farmers to provide these services with incentives and citizen payments.
Recent genetic epidemiology studies have empirically supported Mayr's ideas on genetic interaction and its impact on evolutionary change. These studies show that genes interact extensively, leading to a strong interaction between natural selection and genetic drift, resulting in 'genetic revolution.'
The Pennsylvania Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology Partnership provides a flexible nanotechnology education program for students across the state, offering a capstone semester at Penn State's University Park campus. The program focuses on broadening the scope of nanotechnology applications and social, health, and environmental i...
Computer interface design should respect the real world, considering human intuitions and tactile experiences. Design principles emphasize balancing physical and virtual interactions to deliver information technology benefits without sacrificing physical advantages.
Kumta's team is developing nanostructured catalyst compositions to improve the efficiency of direct methanol fuel cells. The goal is to create a fuel cell system small enough for portable electronic devices.
A recent study suggests a connection between red tide toxins and human respiratory problems, as well as manatee fatalities, highlighting the need for greater awareness of the impacts of brevetoxins on both humans and marine life.
Margaret Turnbull has shortlisted five stars for radio signal detection and five for direct imaging of Earth-like planets. Her criteria include age, metallicity, and residency on the main sequence, favoring Sun-like stars with stable orbits.
Computer interface design should prioritize physical interactions, taking into account the physical world's intuitions and fidelity of control. Prototyping is key to gathering user feedback for continuous improvement, ensuring interfaces augment rather than replace human experiences.
A Washington University partnership created a data analysis course for urban high school students, raising cognitive demand and improving math and science test scores. The pilot study found that quizzes were not a harmful activity and may be an effective teaching tool.
Computers are transforming mathematical proof, with complex problems requiring hundreds of pages of data. Mathematicians face challenges in validating and verifying these proofs, raising concerns about the erosion of traditional publishing practices.
As neuroimaging technologies advance, researchers must consider how to handle sensitive data and balance individual privacy with the potential benefits of discovery. Neuroethicist Judy Illes emphasizes the need for informed consent protocols and clear guidelines for handling incidental findings in imaging studies.
The current science education system fails to convey a comprehensive narrative account of the origins and evolution of the universe, planet, and life. This results in students lacking a robust grasp of the scientific worldview, leading to scientific illiteracy and poor understanding of scientific concepts.
Key findings suggest that modern mathematical proofs are becoming increasingly difficult to verify, as they often rely on preprint servers and lack peer review. This shift may lead to a new generation of mathematicians following a paradigm that prioritizes dissemination over validation.
Marine mammals like otters and manatees are providing early clues of our impact on the oceans. Research suggests that their deaths from diseases like Toxoplasma may be linked to human activities such as cat ownership and algal blooms.
Primates, including early humans, evolved to avoid predators, not hunt them. This theory suggests that intelligence and social skills developed as a result of outsmarting predators, leading to modern human traits like cooperation and socialization.
Thomas C. Hales famously proved Johannes Kepler's 400-year-old conjecture on sphere-packing using a computer-assisted proof, which was initially met with skepticism by reviewers. Hales is now using his problem-solving skills to 'prove the proof' using a specially written computer language in the Flyspeck Project.
The Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics offers a pioneering 'benchside' consultation program to help basic-science researchers identify ethical and social impacts of their work. The program advises ways to minimize risks and maximize benefits, with seven Stanford researchers having sought consults since its inception.
A modification to the patent application process could provide comprehensive legal protection for genetic resources and prevent biopiracy. Creating a new system is deemed too challenging, whereas modifying current patents to require disclosure of origin and prior consent is considered feasible.
Mathematician Devlin discusses the shift from intuitive proofs to formal systems, highlighting the limitations of traditional methods. He also explores the impact of computer analysis on proof validity, demonstrating how new techniques have increased mathematical accuracy.
Scientists simulated the cores of giant planets and exoplanets to understand how they formed and evolved. They found that extreme temperatures and pressures lead to the formation of metallic crystals, affecting a planet's magnetic field and surface activity.
Astrobiologist Carol Cleland suggests that the search for alien life should focus on physical systems that challenge our current concept of life, rather than relying on familiar definitions. She argues that detecting life beyond Earth is likely to be difficult due to the vast differences in genetic material between known and unknown or...
Scientists can reproduce terra preta using bio-char, reducing greenhouse gases and increasing crop yields in impoverished regions. This technique also helps reduce environmental pollution by retaining nitrogen and promoting sustained fertility.
Lifelong calorie restraint is crucial for preventing excess weight and age-related health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Studies with rhesus monkeys show that maintaining a constant healthy body weight can improve overall health and prolong lifespan.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that using open-ended questions to collect patient-reported data on ethnicity resulted in lower rates of missing values and unusable data compared to traditional closed-ended methods. This method also better captured the nuances of patients' self-identified ethnicities.
A recent study published by the University of South Florida has found that drug use is linked to an increased risk of brain hemorrhage in young adults. The study analyzed data from 307 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and found that cocaine, marijuana, and amphetamines were common substances of abuse among those under 50.
A new 'active cookie' helps protect against online scams by redirecting users to secure sites, preventing attacks like pharming and man-in-the-middle. The technology is especially useful for financial service providers and individuals concerned about Wi-Fi hijacking.
A study published by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that ocean temperatures in the Atlantic region were significantly warmer in the past than current levels, with estimates ranging from 91°F to 107°F. This finding contradicts current climate models and suggests that future warming may be more extreme than predicted.
A study by Dr. Rebecca Ichord found that delays in diagnosing stroke in children are common, and improved knowledge of stroke symptoms could lead to better outcomes. Strokes in children may be caused by underlying illnesses like sickle cell disease or whiplash injuries.
Kereos is developing a nanotechnology program to diagnose and treat cancer, detecting solid tumors as small as 1-2 mm. The technology can deliver high concentrations of chemotherapeutic agents to tumors with low standard doses.
Adaptive environmental management aims to integrate local community involvement in policy-making and assessment, a concept popular in Europe but only recently tested in the US. The Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico serves as a case study, examining strategies that have improved local acceptability and ecosystem health.
Researchers found that patients with elevated tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels at seven days post-transplant were more likely to develop graft vs. host disease and had lower one-year survival rates. Elevated TNF levels were tied to a higher risk of this deadly complication, suggesting potential targets for prevention and treatment.
Researchers have sequenced 99% of a cyanobacterium's genome, mapped its proteome, and analyzed global transcriptional activity. The study aims to understand the biological processes governing carbon fixation and hydrogen production in these organisms.
The new ACM report outlines best practices for managing voter registration databases to prevent hacking attacks, massive failures, severe privacy violations, and erosion of confidence. The guidelines aim to ensure the reliability and usability of voter databases by adopting transparent policies, setting clear accountabilities, establis...
The Valles Caldera Trust employs science-based adaptive management to monitor natural resources and adjust management activities in response to changing conditions. This approach, pioneered by forest ecologist Thomas Swetnam, aims to improve the long-term sustainability of federal lands like national parks and forests.
Scientists from 20 institutions collaborate on three grand challenges to study membrane proteins in cyanobacteria and subsurface metal-reducing bacteria. Early results show promising insights into environmental remediation, energy transfer, and natural processes.
Researchers found that anthrax spores can tolerate water treatment and attach to pipes, potentially allowing them to pass through the system. Higher chlorine concentrations were more effective in killing the spores, but at high levels could make water undrinkable.
A recent study found that using anabolic steroids for performance can lead to serious health risks, including a significant increase in heart attack risk and liver damage. The research suggests that even healthy individuals may experience these adverse effects due to the toxic nature of the drugs.
Dr. Pauly's research reveals that the world passed its peak fish in the late 1980s and has been gradually sinking since then. To prevent a collapse, he advocates for reducing excess fishing capacity, creating no-take zones, and enforcing sustainable fishing levels.
The USF College of Public Health is collaborating with 12 institutions to develop and implement strategies focused on eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities. The initiative aims to build a model for the nation, leveraging partnerships between communities and institutions to address health disparities.
Liver injuries continue to plague the nation's drug development system, causing costly problems for pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Navarro proposes that patients speak with their physicians about their medications to detect liver injury early, as certain individuals are more likely to develop problems due to genetic makeup.
Researchers have developed virtual peers that can interact with children, helping them develop language and literacy skills. The virtual playmates engage in collaborative storytelling and are capable of adapting to individual children's needs.
A collaboration between Princeton University and the Saint Louis Zoo is bringing effective conservation of Grevy's zebras within reach for Samburu pastoral cooperatives, led by Dr. Daniel Rubenstein.
Researchers have identified a mutant protein as a key culprit molecule in causing heart disease, including atherosclerosis, which is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. The study also sheds light on the progression of progeria, a rare genetic condition that accelerates aging in children.
A new study published in AIDS and Behavior found that pregnancy, rather than high-risk behavior, was the primary predictor of STD testing among newly homeless youth. The study, conducted at UCLA, surveyed 261 homeless youth aged 12-20 and found a 32% STD rate among those who had received an STD test in the past three months.
A six-week program combining a nicotine patch and group support significantly increased the chances of women in public housing quitting smoking. The study found nearly 50% of women in the treatment group quit smoking by the end of the program, compared to less than 8% in the comparison group.
Researchers have developed a strategy to overcome biological obstacles in cell therapy for cancer by stimulating tumor-reactive T cells with interleukin-15. This approach has shown promise in treating disseminated forms of leukemia in mice without damaging other tissues.
A new theory published in Geophysical Research Letters explains the energization of anomalous cosmic rays by including a realistic termination shock shape. The model shows that particles are accelerated on the flanks of the termination shock, contradicting previous assumptions.
A committee presented a framework for evaluating mathematics curricula, suggesting that both comparative study and content analysis are necessary. Despite methodological weaknesses in existing studies, the committee recommends an integrated judgment involving values, theory, and empirical evidence to determine curriculum effectiveness.
A new study suggests that lower doses of the clot-busting drug tPA can effectively treat intracerebral hemorrhage without increasing bleeding risks, with mortality rates dropping to 13 percent in some cases. The findings are promising for patients who suffer from this type of stroke, which affects over 100,000 Americans annually.
Computer science has a profound impact on various scientific fields, including biology and physics. Chazelle emphasizes the importance of understanding algorithms in capturing complex realities, rather than traditional mathematical formulas.
Researchers are using electronic tags on marine animals to collect data on oceanographic conditions, such as water temperature and salinity. This data is being used to improve ocean circulation models and gain insights into the lives of California sea lions and other apex predators.
A student group at the University of Washington has developed a successful grassroots effort to create science policy dialogue, bringing together experts and policymakers to discuss key issues. The Forum on Science Ethics and Policy (FOSEP) aims to increase public engagement in science and policy discussions.
Human activities are disrupting the balance of diseases in oceans, causing harm to sea lions, marine mammals, and humans. Coral diseases, linked to sugars from sewage and run-off, are also on the rise, threatening coral reefs.
A Harvard University study found that high school AP courses do not contribute substantially to student success in college. Mathematical fluency is the single best predictor of college performance in biology, chemistry, and physics, with depth over breadth coursework performing better in college courses.
Researchers used mathematical modeling tools to document the spread of sea lice from commercial salmon farms to wild Pacific salmon. The study found that a single farm could lead to a massive increase in parasite load, affecting the health of young fish.
A large cohort of post-menopausal women was studied to examine the relationship between physical activity and colon cancer risk. The results show no association between physical activity levels and a lower incidence of colon cancer.
Researchers found that newborns (10-72 hours old) prefer speech over nonsensical words in a study led by Dr. Athena Vouloumanos. The infants showed increased sucking behavior when hearing human speech compared to speech-like analogues, suggesting an experience-independent component to their preference for speech.
A new experimental TB drug, FAS20013, has demonstrated effective treatment against both resistant and latent mycobacterium tuberculosis. The compound's potent killing activity targets slow-growing mycobacteria without enhancing resistance, offering a potential breakthrough in treating MDR-TB with up to 80% fatality rate.
Research by Kline at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that high levels of sugar in seawater can kill corals by encouraging bacterial growth. This discovery underscores the need to consider the impact of carbon compounds on coral reefs when developing conservation efforts.