A new study demonstrates how visual arrangement of alternatives can increase the likelihood of a product being chosen. Grouping options with similar characteristics can emphasize dissimilar options and help them stand out.
General Practitioners (GPs) are still over-prescribing antibiotics for common infections like sore throats and sinusitis, hindering efforts to combat antibiotic resistance. The analysis of the world's largest primary care database found that prescriptions for these conditions rose to 80% despite guidance warnings.
A 30-minute video-based training session is as effective as a three- to four-hour course in teaching laypersons basic life-saving techniques. At six months after training, those who took the shorter course performed CPR and used an AED just as well or better than those who took the traditional training.
A fast and inexpensive test kit has been developed to detect aflatoxin in crops, enabling African farmers to manage the costly naturally occurring poison. The test has improved food safety and increased agricultural exports, particularly for groundnuts.
Research by Dr. Anthony Argentaro has advanced understanding of ATRX mutations that cause blood disorders and genital abnormalities in boys, finding excess or deficiency leads to developmental issues.
People on polar expeditions often experience disturbed sleep, impaired cognitive ability, and interpersonal tension. However, many also report feelings of camaraderie, mutual support, and personal achievement, highlighting the complex impact of these extreme environments on mental health.
A study by Harvard and the University of California, San Diego found that obesity is socially contagious, spreading from person to person in a social network. The greatest effect was seen among friends, with a 171% increase in chances of becoming obese if a mutual friend becomes obese.
A new UCLA study finds that combining diesel exhaust particles with cholesterol fats leads to a dangerous synergy that causes blood vessel inflammation and cardiovascular disease. The researchers discovered that the interaction activates genes promoting cellular inflammation, accelerating the narrowing and blockage of blood vessels.
Physicists at NIST induce thousands of atoms to swap spins, creating logical connections for quantum computing. The demonstration advances prospects for using neutral atoms as qubits, which could provide extraordinary power for applications like encryption code-breaking.
A study found that hand gestures significantly enhance learning, with 90% of students recalling algebraic concepts after three weeks. The method taps into the need to experience information through interacting with the environment, making it a free and effective teaching aid.
Researchers found that when an individual gains weight, their friends and siblings have a significantly increased risk of becoming obese. The closer two people are in a social network, the stronger the effect. Geographical distance appears to have no effect, suggesting that environmental factors play a smaller role.
A new University of Georgia study reveals that sewage-contaminated groundwater is contaminating coral reefs up to six miles offshore in the Upper Florida Keys. The study found common fecal indicator bacteria and human viruses in surface water, groundwater, and corals.
Researchers at Queen's University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the breakdown of vitamin D, revealing that changing a single amino acid in the hydroxylase enzyme can alter its pathway. This finding has significant implications for the treatment of cancer and other diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency.
Immediate license suspension for DWI saves 800 lives each year by deterring drunk driving, with more severe penalties after conviction having little impact. Laws allowing immediate suspensions reduce fatalities among light, moderate and heavy drinkers.
Researchers found that specialized diets of bat species may contribute to their extinction risk. Contrary to previous studies, dietary breadth was not related to geographic range size or wing structure.
Scientists create a surface pair that sticks together in response to an environmental stimulus, allowing for reversible detachment. This discovery could lead to innovative applications in microfluidic systems, actuators, and pharmacological agents.
Researchers have developed a novel approach for rapid identification of malaria vaccine candidates using bioinformatics and peptide synthesis. This approach has been shown to effectively inhibit parasite growth in vitro with purified human antibodies, potentially reducing the time and cost associated with developing new vaccines.
UB researchers discover that certain solvents can significantly impact acid-base interactions, strengthening chemical bonds between molecules. The study suggests a new tool for initiating these interactions in important biological enzymes.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory propose a new model for understanding how autism is acquired, suggesting that spontaneous germ-line mutation is a significant cause. This mutation can be carried by women without severe symptoms and passed on to their children, increasing the risk of sons developing autism.
A recent study found a significant decline in breast cancer incidence in 2003, coinciding with a drop in hormone therapy use. Breast density and sex hormone levels are also independent risk factors for breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
A new study found that immediate suspension of a driver's license upon failure of an alcohol breath test can reduce alcohol-related fatalities by five percent, saving hundreds of lives annually. This effect is seen across all demographics and circumstances, including individuals with just one or two drinks.
Researchers used the Stroop task to test grapheme-color synesthetes, finding that opponent incongruent colors made it difficult for them to respond quickly. However, memories of objects associated with those same colors were not affected by color change. These findings suggest that synesthetic colors are perceived in a realistic way.
The University of Leeds is joining forces with leading Chinese scientists in membrane and neurobiology to enhance research outputs and international profiles. The partnership aims to collaborate on studies focusing on ion channels, membrane transporters, and the flow of membranes between cellular compartments.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that a drug called tetrabenazine (TBZ) prevents death of brain cells in mice genetically engineered to mimic Huntington's disease. The study sheds light on the biochemical mechanisms involved in the disease and suggests new avenues of study for preventing brain-cell death.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that metformin, a widely used diabetes medication, offers distinct advantages over nine other medications in controlling blood sugar levels, weight gain, and bad cholesterol levels. The medication was also found to be less expensive than newer options, with annual treatment costs averaging $100.
A landmark study found that adult Delawareans with disabilities have only fair to poor health, with high rates of obesity, diabetes, and secondary health conditions. The study also highlighted the importance of caregivers and the need for improved health education and awareness.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that adding readings by non-physician technologists to standard mammograms read by two radiologists increased breast cancer detection rates by 6.8%. This improvement was achieved with a minimal increase in false positives.
The NCRR has launched a Translational Research Network to facilitate multi-site clinical and translational research among minority institutions. The network will enable researchers to pool resources and expertise, increasing the productivity and impact of individual centers.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that experienced surgeons perform more successful prostate cancer surgeries, with a steeper learning curve. As surgeons gain experience, patient outcomes improve, but beyond 250 operations, additional experience has little influence on cancer recurrence rates.
A growing number of researchers in the U.S. and abroad are critical of a government-funded report that found no correlation between meditation and improved health. The report's analytical strategy was deemed haphazard and ad hoc, and relevant studies were excluded from the findings.
A study by UC Irvine found that girls in juvenile detention centers face unique psychological issues, including twice as much aggression as boys and high levels of alcohol and drug use. The researchers suggest that training staff to recognize these issues could help improve the situation.
Scientists generate most energetic terahertz pulses ever produced, allowing for the observation of cross-phase modulation and opening up new possibilities for materials research and light source technologies. The breakthrough could lead to innovations in fields such as biological molecule imaging and homeland security.
Researchers found that plastic morphometric characters are associated with branch level and fixed traits with colony level in Stylophora pistillata corals. This adaptive plasticity allows the formation of species-specific architecture through variable developmental routes.
A Johns Hopkins study found that many Baltimore inner-city homes lack essential safety devices, putting infants and toddlers at risk of fires, falls, and poisoning. The study highlights the need for improved home safety measures, including stair-blocking gates, fire detectors, and medication storage, to protect young children.
A nationwide study found that use of pulmonary artery catheters in US hospitals decreased by 65% between 1993 and 2004, likely due to evidence showing no reduction in mortality for critically ill patients. The decline was most prominent for heart attack diagnoses, with a 81% decrease.
A new study using Chandra finds that younger, more distant galaxy clusters contain far more actively growing supermassive black holes than older, nearby ones. This rapid growth allows these black holes to thrive and influence their host galaxies.
Researchers found that guilt initially drives withdrawal motivation but transforms into approach motivation when an opportunity for reparation presents itself. Participants who received negative feedback on racist responses showed increased guilt and approached anti-racist behaviors.
Researchers found that combining radiation therapy and microsurgery can significantly increase the body's ability to repair damaged spinal cords, leading to permanent recovery. The treatment, which involves draining excess fluids and eliminating damaging cells, showed a nearly two-fold improvement in wound healing compared to untreated...
Studies of coral reefs, rocky intertidal areas, and sea grass beds suggest that depletion of top-level consumers is a key driver of ecosystem changes. The authors' findings have major implications for coastal ecosystem management, as reducing nutrient levels may not restore habitats.
A genetic metabolic defect in the liver can lead to obesity in some individuals, a study published in Metabolism reveals. The defect impairs the body's ability to burn fat, leading to increased hunger and overeating.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered a phenomenon that allows measurement of mechanical motion in nanostructures using the AC Josephson effect. The technique enables the identification and characterization of structural and mechanical properties of nanoparticles, including those of biological interest.
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that prostate cancer patients treated by experienced surgeons have a lower risk of recurrence five years after surgery. The study analyzed data from over 7,700 patients and found that surgeons with more experience had better outcomes, with nearly 70% fewer recu...
A new study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that brief motivational interviews are still effective 15 months after initiation for college students sent to alcohol counseling. In-person interventions showed better long-term results than written feedback.
The report outlines practical approaches toward ecosystem-based fishery management, citing the success of Alaska and North Pacific fisheries. The Marine Conservation Alliance recommends 13 best practices to ensure sustainable fishing practices while preserving ecosystem health.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding memory by capturing the physical substrate of newly encoded memories. The study shows that synaptic connections change shape when rats learn to navigate a new environment, and this change is essential for stable memory formation.
A randomized controlled trial involving 1,042 nursing home residents found that wearing an energy-absorbing hip protector did not significantly reduce the incidence of hip fractures. The study's results confirm the growing evidence that current hip protectors are not effective in preventing hip fractures among this population.
A new study found that prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with altered responses in frontal-striatal areas of the brain, leading to cognitive and behavioral deficits. The research also suggests a link between prenatal alcohol exposure and an increased risk of substance-use disorders.
Researchers estimate that less than half of household infections could be prevented with current antiviral drugs, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring. The study provides a method for detecting emerging secondary human-to-human transmission using easily collected data.
High-risk patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy show reduced risk of sudden cardiac death with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. The study analyzed data from 506 patients and found that ICD interventions were effective in preventing life-threatening arrhythmias.
A new Kaiser Permanente study suggests a possible link between breast cancer incidence and postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) use, but concludes that the association is complex and influenced by various factors, including mammography screening rates. Long-term HT may slightly increase breast cancer risk, particularly in younger women.
A new study reveals that blocking NMDA receptors leads to an increase in AMPA activity, which is crucial for ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects. This finding suggests that targeting AMPA directly may lead to the development of faster-acting antidepressants with fewer side effects.
Aging hematopoietic stem cells decline in function due to increased inflammatory response and decreased chromatin remodeling, leading to epigenetic dysregulation. Despite this decline, overall blood production remains stable.
In a study published in PLOS Biology, researchers discovered parietal neurons that respond with increasing activity as the number of items in a display is varied, suggesting an accumulator neuron role. This finding supports computer models separating summing and numerical identification processes.
The new engine technology can improve fuel economy by several miles per gallon, cutting oil demand in the US by a million barrels a day. The mode-switching capability could appear in production models within a few years.
Researchers found that adherence to TB treatment is influenced by structural factors such as poverty and gender discrimination, highlighting the need for tailored support systems. A separate study on ventilatory control reveals evidence of central plasticity in humans, providing insight into the complexities of human physiology.
A national initiative designed to improve heart-failure patient care in hospitals resulted in significant gains, including increased adherence to key quality-of-care performance measures and reduced hospital stays. The initiative also led to favorable trends for in-hospital and post-discharge mortality rates.
A new study from Cornell University found that exposure to smoking-cessation product ads increases the likelihood of quitting, even without purchasing products. The study suggests that 'spillover effects' from advertising may play a significant role in this phenomenon.
A recent study by McMaster University shows that sperm banking can preserve fertility in adolescents and young adult males with cancer. The study found a 36% success rate using intrauterine insemination and a 50% success rate using in vitro fertilization.
A meta-analysis of previous studies finds that both unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin are effective in preventing blood clots in hospitalized patients. Venous thromboembolism is a major cause of complications and death, with most cases occurring outside the hospital.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new type of laser that can emit over 700 milli-Watts of continuous output power, a factor of two increase from competing technology. The Quantum Cascade Laser has a 10-18% wall-plug efficiency, making it suitable for widespread deployment and low-cost production.