A three-year study reveals that children engage more in learning when given responsibility for decision making and planning. The 'Greener Voices' project found that adults often make assumptions about children's involvement in gardening, neglecting their creative thinking.
New insights into the co-evolutionary relationship between sawflies and their parasites show that parasitism promotes ecological divergence in herbivorous insects. The study reveals a food web involving willow trees, sawflies, and parasites feeding on sawfly larvae.
The National Center for Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University will investigate the relationship between family structure and well-being. Researchers will examine various aspects of marriage, including its role in child development and the impact of cohabitation, to inform policies and promote healthy marriages.
Researchers studied voltage-gated potassium channels, revealing features that could lead to medical breakthroughs in synthetic drug design. In contrast, a study found that large lipid rafts are not observed in live cells due to protein obstacles.
Researchers found that using 0-8 millimeter pumice in pots higher than 15 centimeters significantly increases yields for gypsophila and cucumber plants. The most balanced and safe type of pumice, the two finest grades, provide optimal moisture retention.
New research estimates that US fires release around 290 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The study found that large fires can release enormous pulses of CO2 rapidly into the atmosphere, complicating efforts to understand and combat global warming.
The domestic cat genome has been successfully sequenced, revealing approximately 65% of its euchromatic regions. The analysis identified 20,285 putative genes and hundreds of chromosomal rearrangements among mammals, shedding light on feline health and human disease.
A new study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that massage therapy decreases pain levels for patients after heart surgery. In a pilot study of 58 patients, those who received massage had mean pain scores less than 1 on a scale of 1 to 10, compared to an average rating of 3 among the control group.
A team of scientists has developed a tissue-engineered, organotypic 3D culture system of esophageal squamous cell cancer, revealing the genetic mutations and tumor microenvironment driving the disease. The model also highlights the critical role of stromal fibroblasts in cancer progression.
A recent study published in Nature finds good agreement between species richness of tropical forests and coral reefs and a simple mathematical model based on the neutral theory of biodiversity. The researchers argue that interactions between species can be largely ignored, contradicting previous claims from other scientific teams.
The US government is facing criticism for its lack of oversight on nanotechnology products, with expert Andrew Maynard warning of potential risks to the environment, health and workers. Maynard recommends establishing a clear risk research strategy and allocating funding for safety research and oversight.
Researchers found that support cells in developing ears show robust electrical activity similar to nerve cells, which helps explain how the auditory system generates brain activity without sound. This discovery may also contribute to tinnitus and sounds perceived from nowhere.
A team of researchers created the first fully functional radio from a single carbon nanotube, enabling tiny wireless communication devices. The nanotube radio works by detecting incoming radio waves and vibrating at its flexural resonance frequency to receive signals, offering a new approach to making radios.
A team of researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia has discovered a clean process for making gold nanoparticles using gold salts, soybeans, and water. The new process eliminates the need for synthetic or man-made chemicals, which can have negative environmental impacts.
The American College of Physicians has released comprehensive guidelines for diagnosing and treating stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A new study also found that a nutrient supplement can reduce the need for steroids in patients with stubborn ulcerative colitis. Additionally, an atypical antipsychotic drug has been shown t...
A study of over 11,000 men found that those receiving radiation seed implants had a significant reduction in mortality risk compared to those on watchful waiting/active surveillance within six months of diagnosis. Brachytherapy was shown to be as effective as radical prostatectomy and surgery in extending life expectancy.
Scientists at The Wistar Institute have solved the three-dimensional structure of a molecular complex of pRb and E1A, revealing how the viral protein disrupts normal cell growth. This discovery sheds light on related mechanisms used by other viruses to trigger cancers.
A new study by political scientists found that early voting measures have a negligible or negative impact on voter turnout. The study assessed three primary means of early voting and found that they result in a more accurate count, but do not increase turnout.
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that women who followed a combination of five or more lifestyle factors experienced significantly lower rates of infertility due to ovulatory disorders. The key factors included dietary choices and physical activity, with higher scores associated with a lower risk of infertility.
Researchers have discovered a new genetic variant, rs7008482, strongly associated with increased prostate cancer risk in African-American men. This variation is located within a gene involved in DNA repair and may confer an inherited predisposition to genetic instability.
Physicists at UC Berkeley have built the world's smallest radio using a single carbon nanotube, detecting radio signals through mechanical vibration. The nanoradio can tune in to FM broadcasts and even transmit music pieces from over a century old.
A new gene, GPD1-L, has been identified as responsible for a rare form of cardiac arrest known as Brugada syndrome. The mutation impairs the heart's natural electrical ability to beat in a coordinated manner and maintain a stable rhythm.
Researchers warn that Caribbean coral reefs will decline permanently unless measures are taken to address overgrowth with seaweed and protect key grazers like parrotfish. The study suggests a need for policy changes to control fish traps and promote reef regeneration.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that only 40% of heart attack patients received recommended aspirin therapy, and 69% of pneumonia patients got recommended antibiotics, highlighting racial, geographic, and financial disparities in access to care.
A new study using the Driving Reliability and Error Analysis Method (DREAM) found that four scenarios contribute to single-vehicle crashes: driver fatigue, loss of traction on slippery roads, overestimation of driving skills, and panicked steering. Vehicle safety features can now be designed to compensate for these unpredictable factors.
A recent study found that forest fires in boreal forests have a greater direct impact on carbon emissions than climate change. The researchers used a computer model to simulate the carbon balance of one million square kilometers of Canadian forest over the past 60 years, determining that fires are the primary driver of carbon emissions.
A University of Georgia study found that 17% of middle school students in rural areas drove after drinking. The study also revealed that nearly half of the students rode with a driver who had been drinking in the past 30 days. Researchers hope their findings will spur more research and awareness on this overlooked behavior.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Clemson University researchers nearly $1 million to develop polymer dot nanoparticles for tracking single molecules in live cells. This technology could help determine the body's defenses against viruses and bacteria, as well as pinpoint cancer cells for more effective treatment.
Scientists at Northwestern University are mapping parts of lethal bacteria in three dimensions, exposing a fresh opening into the bacteria's vulnerabilities. This view will enable scientists to create drugs to disable or vaccines to prevent deadly infectious diseases such as anthrax, plague, and Ebola.
Researchers have identified a unique pattern of gene expression in the blood that can indicate toxic levels of acetaminophen. This finding could lead to the development of a simple procedure for clinicians to estimate liver damage and prevent or treat resulting liver damage.
The University of Minnesota is building a new international physics laboratory near Ash River, Minn., to study neutrinos and their role in the Universe's formation and future development. The $45.6 million lab will be part of an estimated $250 million project funded by the Department of Energy.
A team from Rochester Institute of Technology has confirmed that supermassive black holes launch rotating winds that shape galaxies and regulate their growth. The findings, reported in Nature, provide direct observational confirmation of a long-standing theory about quasar winds.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new technique called Brainbow that allows for the imaging of neurons in a wide range of colors, enabling scientists to better map the complex wiring diagram of the brain and nervous system. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding brain disorders and development.
The American College of Physicians has released a new clinical practice guideline on diagnosing and treating stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The guidelines recommend the use of spirometry in patients with respiratory symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, to diagnose airflow obstruction. For symptomatic patien...
A randomized phase III trial found that minocycline accelerates the deterioration of ALS patients, contradicting previous positive results in animal models. The study suggests reassessing trials of minocycline in other neurological conditions.
Researchers develop unconventional metal hydrides to produce water through oxygen reduction, a process essential for making water. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient hydrogen fuel cells and lower production costs.
A new study by University of Washington researchers found that a mastery motivational climate, focusing on personal improvement and having fun, has a greater impact on young athletes than winning. Athletes who played for coaches with this approach reported higher enjoyment, better relationships with the coach, and improved skills.
Research explores how imagining performances from first-person and third-person perspectives affects motivation. Third-person perspective was found to increase motivation to succeed, especially when envisioning success.
SPOC, a technology company at Stevens Institute of Technology, has developed a proprietary point-of-care medical diagnostic system to pinpoint specific myofascial trigger points causing pain. The $300,000 investment from Connecticut Innovations will help SPOC continue its development and reach its market potential.
BioDelivery Sciences International has submitted its New Drug Application for BEMA Fentanyl, a treatment for breakthrough cancer pain, to the FDA. The application is based on positive results from clinical trials, including a Phase III efficacy trial that demonstrated significant pain reduction and low discontinuation rates.
Scientists at NC State University have identified genes that contribute to fruit fly alcohol sensitivity, with 72% of these genes having human counterparts. The study could lead to the development of a drug for people with higher genetic risk factors for alcoholism.
A genetic variant on chromosome 8q24 is associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer in African Americans. The study found that common genetic variants are linked to elevated prostate cancer risk, particularly among this high-risk population.
Researchers have developed a way to use carbon nanotubes to stop bullets from penetrating material and even rebound their force. This could lead to more effective bulletproof materials that avoid blunt force trauma and critical organ damage.
A new booklet by the ESRC argues that human rights should play a role in improving public services and addressing social injustices in the UK. The publication suggests introducing economic, social, and cultural rights into British law to give citizens the dignity and self-confidence needed to lead full lives.
A comprehensive survey of Hurricane Katrina survivors found a significant increase in mental disorders, including depression and anxiety-mood disorders. The prevalence of PTSD also doubled in some areas, with no change in others.
Researchers at Princeton University have invented a new computer architecture that allows for 'transient trust' in transmitting sensitive information to parties on an as-needed basis. This design enables the secure transmission of crucial rescue information during events such as natural disasters, fires or terrorist attacks.
A large-scale analysis of over 2,000 patients reveals that men with high-risk prostate cancer who receive radiation therapy after a prostatectomy are less likely to experience disease recurrence. Additionally, men whose cancer persists after surgery benefit from reduced cancer spread if they receive salvage therapy.
A recent study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals that government-imposed restrictions on bariatric surgeries in the US significantly limit access to these life-saving procedures for low-income and underinsured populations. Despite high-volume centers performing better, low-volume centers with higher-risk patients achieve co...
Researchers have discovered a novel approach to developing treatments for Chagas disease by targeting the parasite's triosephosphate isomerase enzyme. By identifying specific binding sites, they found that dithiodianiline can selectively inactivate the parasitic form of the enzyme without affecting its human counterpart.
Fossilized body imprints of three previously unknown, foot-long salamander-like critters have been found in 330 million-year-old rocks. The imprints provide rare information about the animals' webbed feet, skin proportions and outer skin characteristics.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found a positive correlation between TV time and the severity of obesity in children. The researchers determined that children watching more than 2 hours of TV per day were 2.5-3.3 times more likely to have hypertension compared to those watching less than 2 hours.
Berkeley researchers have created a copper-free version of click chemistry, allowing for the first time to label and image glycans, proteins, and lipids in live cells. The technique, developed by Carolyn Bertozzi and her team, proceeds at physiologically acceptable temperatures without toxic copper catalysts.
A prospective study found that quality of life surpasses classic predictors like disease stage and tumor size in determining survival. Patients with better quality of life scores had a significantly higher rate of survival.
A new study found that approximately 13.9 percent of the population aged 71 and older have some form of dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause. The prevalence of dementia increased dramatically with age, from five percent of those aged 71 to 79 to 37.4 percent of those age 90 and older.
Visceral leishmaniasis has seen a significant rise in admissions at Médecins Sans Frontières treatment center in Somalia, highlighting the need for improved healthcare access. The true magnitude of the problem is likely unknown due to underreporting, and effective interventions will be limited without safe access to populations.
A Buck Institute study found that lithium increases lifespan in nematode worms by reducing the activity of a gene that modulates chromosome structure. The research highlights the potential for using C. elegans as a model organism to study drug toxicity and genetic impacts of compounds.
A series of massive volcanic eruptions in India may have killed the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, rather than a meteor impact. Microscopic marine fossils found in sediments near the Bay of Bengal support this theory, directly linking the Deccan Traps to the mass extinction event.
Rice scientists have successfully grown hairy roots for 4-and-a-half years, a breakthrough that could lead to mass production of medicines like vincristine and vinblastine. The transgenic roots contain genes from both the host plant and bacteria, offering a stable alternative to traditional cell cultures.
Researchers discovered that high doses of red wine polyphenols can shut down and prevent cancerous tumors, while low doses facilitate blood vessel growth for those with diseased hearts. A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables containing polyphenols is sufficient to achieve this effect.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that physicians who self-refer or refer patients to colleagues in their own specialty are more likely to order imaging studies, with variations ranging from 12% to over 200%. This economic motivation may lead to unnecessary referrals and excess utilization of imaging procedures.