A new study by Brown University finds that voter ID requirements in the US are associated with lower levels of political participation, especially among minority groups. The research also reveals that these policies can discourage legal immigrants from becoming citizens, particularly among blacks and Hispanics.
Researchers used industrial modeling to examine access to head cooling devices and found better availability can reduce permanent damage from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy by 23%, saving lives and reducing severe neurodevelopment impairment. The study also estimated annual savings of $4.4 million in Massachusetts.
A study investigated intensive forestry's effects on water quality in eastern Texas. Fertilization resulted in small increases of nitrogen and phosphorus in watersheds, but these losses were a fraction of what was applied. Streamside buffers and natural regeneration helped minimize impacts.
Researchers at NYU have found that hybridizing blind cave fish from different populations can partially restore their vision. The study suggests that genetic engineering can override centuries of evolutionary change in one generation.
Researchers have identified a new clock gene, CRY2, that provides insight into the biology of monarch butterfly migration and evolution of circadian clocks. The discovery reveals a dual function of CRY2 as a core clock component and an output molecule linking the clock to the sun compass.
Researchers studied yeast cells to understand actin network regulation, which is crucial for cell movement. The study found that Arp2/3 regulatory proteins have distinct roles in actin assembly and endocytosis, shedding light on the immune system's ability to target disease-causing invaders and cancer cells' migration.
The American Mathematical Society awarded prizes in various categories including lifetime achievement, seminal contributions, mathematical exposition, and outstanding research by an undergraduate student. Notable winners include George Lusztig, Endre Szemerédi, Neil Trudinger, Alberto Bressan, and Hiroshi Ooguri.
A new study found that racial disparities in cancer care have persisted despite efforts to mitigate them. Black patients are significantly less likely than white patients to receive therapy for certain types of cancer, including lung, breast, colon, and prostate cancer.
A new study from Michigan Medicine finds that congestive heart failure patients experience high disability rates and increased need for nursing-home care. The condition imposes substantial burdens on patients, families and the long-term care system.
Researchers at Purdue University have mathematically described precisely how droplets form when liquids are exposed to electric fields, a discovery that contradicts conventional wisdom. The study found that a liquid's viscosity plays a vital role in drop formation and size.
A study found that individuals who experienced severe stress-related symptoms after terrorist attacks were more likely to be diagnosed with heart problems over the following three years. High levels of acute stress immediately after the attacks predicted increased risk of physician-diagnosed heart problems.
Scientists at UAB have identified a new lung cancer marker, AKR1B10, which can appear even before cancer develops. The enzyme's activity may play a role in the development of lung cancer and could be targeted by future treatments.
Researchers found that cancer stem cells are stuck at an early developmental stage due to epigenetic repression of BMPR1B, leading to aberrant cell division and tumor growth. Forced expression of silenced BMPR1B restored normal differentiation capacity, offering new therapeutic approaches for glioma patients.
A study found that a small portion of chromosome 16, known as 16p11.2, is significantly associated with autism. The deletion occurs in only four out of 712 subjects with autism, yet it is the second most common recurrent genomic disorder linked to the condition.
An international team of scientists discovered 480 genes that regulate human cell division and identified over 100 genes with abnormal patterns of activation in cancer cells. These findings provide insights into how cancers develop and potentially lead to new treatments.
The Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health has received a DISCOVER grant to conduct four related studies on the effects of prenatal and early postnatal exposure to air pollutants on lung development and immune system function. The research aims to better prevent childhood asthma and improve clinical treatment.
Researchers at Duke University developed a high-energy form of ultrasound imaging that produces clearer images of liver tumors. The Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) method uses sound waves to push on tissues, capturing their elasticity and stiffness, which can help distinguish between hard and soft tumors.
Researchers found that brief periods of blocked blood flow activate a protective molecular pathway in the heart, protecting it from damage caused by restored blood flow. The study suggests that these 'mini stress tests' may help precondition and protect the heart from future attacks.
A new study reveals that approximately 10% of EMTs and paramedics in the US miss work because of job-related injuries and illnesses. The study found that responding to high call volumes, working in urban areas, and having a history of back problems increase the risk of injury.
Swedish researchers used a computer to simulate ice melting after heating with a short light pulse. The simulation showed that the energy causes OH bonds to oscillate and eventually breaks bridging hydrogen bonds, leading to crystal collapse.
Researchers found that teens who remained sexually inexperienced reported fewer positive benefits from refraining from sex, while those who were sexually experienced valued refraining more. The study suggests that adults should guide teens on coping with both positive and negative outcomes of sexual behaviors.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have achieved optical waveguiding of near-infrared light through self-assembled, three-dimensional photonic crystals. By using multi-photon polymerization and a laser scanning confocal microscope, they created optically active crystals that can produce low-loss waveguides and low-threshold lasers.
New research reveals that Pleistocene cave bears were as omnivorous as modern bears, eating both plants and animals. This challenges previous studies that suggested they were largely vegetarian.
A large study found that identifying youth with risk factors for psychosis can lead to accurate predictions, with a 65-80% accuracy rate. Combinations of risk factors include social decline, family history, unusual thoughts, and past drug abuse. This ability to predict psychosis will help determine the most effective time to intervene.
Scientists have successfully used magnetic fields and nanoparticles to deliver healthy cells to targeted sites in blood vessels. The research, done in animals, may lead to a new method of delivering cells and genes to repair injured or diseased organs in people.
Research by University College London scientists reveals that BERT and ERNI proteins control brain development timing in vertebrates. By binding to the Sox2 gene, these proteins create a timing mechanism that gives the green light for neural cells to form the brain and nervous system.
A study by Dr Alan Grainger found no convincing evidence for a decline in tropical forests over the past 40 years. Despite local evidence of deforestation, long-term data is plagued by errors and inconsistencies that raise questions about predictions of species extinctions and global climate change.
The study found that autism cases continued to increase in California despite the elimination of thimerosal from most childhood vaccines. Exposure to thimerosal was estimated to have contributed to the upswing in reported cases, but this link was not proven by the study.
A recent study found that participating in school-based physical education and certain extracurricular activities during adolescence may lower the risk of becoming overweight as a young adult. The likelihood of being overweight was reduced by 48% for teens who performed wheel-related activities more than four times a week.
A study found that adopting four healthy behaviors, including quitting smoking and exercising regularly, can add 14 extra years to a person's life. Researchers analyzed data from over 20,000 participants and found that those who adopted all four behaviors had a significantly lower risk of death compared to those who did not.
A 90-minute daytime nap significantly speeds up memory consolidation, with participants showing improved performance in tasks requiring motor skills. This discovery may enable the development of methods to accelerate memory consolidation and create stable memories.
Participation in physical education decreases the likelihood of being an overweight adult by 5-28%. Wheel-related extracurricular activities show the most significant impact on maintaining a healthy weight into young adulthood. Regular physical activity is crucial for reducing obesity risk, especially during adolescence.
China's health biotech industry boasts daring medical science innovation and stunning breakthroughs, including the world's first commercialized gene therapy product. However, firms face an uphill battle in attracting high-risk venture capital needed for innovative projects due to uncertain financial systems and export restrictions.
A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that 23% of neonates born between 23 and 32 weeks gestation have positive umbilical blood cultures for genital mycoplasmas, a frequent cause of congenital fetal infection. These infections are associated with increased risk of neonatal systemic inflammatory resp...
A recent study found that soil erosion in northern Mexico is accelerating due to overgrazing, leading to the loss of fertile land and vegetation. The research team used a rainfall index type hydrological model to simulate soil moisture levels and runoff rates, revealing that areas with low rainfall are most prone to sheet erosion.
Teen girls who frequently eat meals with their families are less likely to use extreme measures to control their weight. Regular family meals may offer protective benefits for adolescent girls, reducing the risk of disordered eating behaviors.
A study published in Pediatric Dermatology reveals that infants who developed hemangiomas had lower levels of oxygen in their placentas compared to healthy preterm infants. The research suggests that disturbed placental circulation may have contributed to the development of infantile hemangioma.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a new model that matches real-world measurements of saltation better than classical theory. This new knowledge helps scientists understand how aerosols are released, affecting Earth's climate by blocking and absorbing sunlight.
A new 11-year solar cycle is expected to bring increased risks for power grids, communications, GPS signals, and cell phones. The first sunspot appeared in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the beginning of Solar Cycle 24.
A study found that older adults with declining imagination are less able to recall detailed memories, hindering their ability to create imagined future events. Researchers discovered a link between episodic memory and the constructive-episodic-simulation process.
A study found that teen girls who perceive themselves as lower on the social ladder are more likely to gain weight over time. The research suggests that low school subjective social status may contribute to increases in BMI among adolescent girls.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have developed a mathematical model that proves it is possible to gain full control of sound waves using meta-materials. This could lead to improved medical scans, such as ultrasound technology used in pregnancy tests, and quieter noisy machines by trapping sound.
Researchers at Iowa State University are developing technologies to fight cyber crime and make online activities more secure. They have filed a patent on a technology that detects 'click fraud', which falsely drives up hits to ads posted on Web sites, resulting in higher costs for pay-per-click advertising.
Researchers have identified a key factor that determines influenza virus ability to infect human upper respiratory tract cells. The H5N1 avian flu virus must adapt to bind to specific sugar molecules coating the cells of our noses and throats.
Scientists have found that avian flu viruses must bind to umbrella-shaped alpha 2-6 glycan receptors to infect humans. This new interpretation explains inconsistencies in previous models and could aid in the development of vaccines against a deadly flu pandemic.
Researchers connected to the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven have been able to prevent muscular tissue with severe hypoxia from dying, enabling new therapeutic possibilities for heart attacks, strokes, and organ preservation. They discovered that a metabolic shift allows muscles to use less oxygen in safer manner.
Researchers discovered that the central nervous system can reorganize itself and follow new pathways to restore cellular communication required for movement. The study, published in Nature Medicine, shows that most mice regained mobility within eight weeks after spinal cord damage was induced.
A new study by Queensland University of Technology scientists found that exposure to air pollution significantly reduces foetus size during pregnancy. Mothers with higher exposure to air pollution had foetuses that were smaller in terms of abdominal circumference, head circumference and femur length.
The journal has added several Asian researchers to its Editorial Board, including Professor Huan-Yao Lei as the first Asian Editor. An Asian office will open at NCKU Medical Center in Taiwan, increasing visibility of EBM and SEBM throughout Asia Pacific scientific communities.
A comprehensive gene atlas has been created to understand drug addiction, revealing five molecular pathways common to four different addictive substances. The atlas is based on an integrative meta-analysis of scientific literature and provides a more complete picture of the genetic factors underlying addiction.
A recent study found that individuals who purchase contact lenses online are less likely to follow FDA-recommended eye care practices. Online purchasers are also more likely to experience discomfort and vision problems due to incorrect prescriptions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have created a three-dimensional picture of the PIK3CA enzyme, often mutated in various cancers. The study reveals how mutations affect the enzyme's activity and interactions with other proteins.
The study evaluated the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program's effects on managing arthritis through exercise. The results showed significant improvements in pain, fatigue, and physical function, with continued benefits when participants maintained program participation at home.
Researchers at Princeton University found a new biological mechanism that enables ciliate cells to pass on acquired traits to their offspring, bypassing their DNA genetic program. This discovery has implications for understanding cellular processes and natural regulatory mechanisms.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that educational programs can significantly lower cardiac symptoms, help with weight loss and physical activity in female heart patients over 60. The research suggests that group programs are more effective for weight loss and self-directed programs are better for symptom management.
A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University, VA and NASA Glenn Research Center has unveiled a method for developing mechanically-reinforced polymer nanocomposites. The approach uses a process to assemble nanoparticles into a three-dimensional network before filling it with a polymer, resulting in compatible materials. Th...
A new UCLA AIDS Institute study found that newly homeless youth are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior if they lack supervision and social support. Drug use also plays a significant role in this behavior, particularly among females living in nonfamily settings.
A new study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that specific strength training exercises led to significant prolonged relief of neck muscle pain in women. In contrast, general fitness training resulted in only a small amount of pain reduction. The study suggests that supervised high-intensity dynamic strength training may be ...
The amfAR Mathilde Krim Fellowship program awards $1 million to bright young scientists working on prevention and treatment solutions for HIV/AIDS. Recipients include researchers studying HIV Tat-mediated transfer, TRIM5 modulation, biophysical studies of integrase-DNA complex, and morphogenesis of HIV-1 particles.
Research identifies variations in cancer, enabling more precise treatment; childhood cancer experience differs from adults, with teens facing stigma and discrimination.