A new study by University of Missouri researchers found that advergames with a high thematic connection to the brand elicit stronger positive relationships between consumers and the brand. This suggests that advertisers can use themed advergames to develop favorable consumer attitudes towards their brand.
A study of 215 women who underwent BRCA testing found that personal beliefs about inconclusive results are a strong predictor of psychological adjustment. Women with higher levels of worry and distress were more likely to struggle with the uncertainty of their test results.
Beetles form a mutualistic relationship with bacteria to create an environment for their larvae, but this also allows the beetles to destroy pine forests. The discovery of a specific molecule that neutralizes pathogenic fungi could lead to new medicines for human infections.
Researchers at Salk Institute and Burnham Institute for Medical Research have identified 295 human host cell factors involved in HIV infection. This study may lead to the development of novel therapies aimed at disrupting human-HIV interactions and preventing viral replication.
The structure of the Mre11 protein bound to DNA has been revealed, showing how it recognizes and remodels broken DNA strands. This breakthrough provides insight into the essential function of Mre11 in homologous recombination, a critical method for repairing double-strand breaks.
A genetic risk score was developed from three identified genes associated with increased uric acid levels and a 40-fold increased risk for developing gout. The study analyzed over 20,000 participants and found that more than 3 million US adults have gout due to factors such as obesity, diet, and certain medications.
Research studies reveal strong associations between exposure to Bisphenol A, phthalates and flame retardants and adverse health effects on humans and laboratory animals. Exposure during fetal life or prior to weaning can disrupt brain development, reproductive systems, and behavior.
Researchers from Sony and Max Planck Institute demonstrate bendable optically assessed organic light emitting displays for the first time. The new technology enables flexible computers, televisions, posters, and newspaper display technology, offering advantages over traditional projection displays and TVs.
Research reveals that different wildtype Drosophila species respond selectively to natural odors like bananas and mangos, but not artificial flavors. The behavior is influenced by nutritional conditions and genetic adaptations to environment.
Breast cancer cells can recycle their components to survive antiestrogen therapy, with macroautophagy playing a key role in this survival strategy. Researchers now believe targeting the autophagosome function could significantly improve hormonal treatment for estrogen-positive breast cancer.
A team of scientists has made significant progress in understanding how the brain controls eye movement, particularly when tracking fast-moving objects. The study found that gain control, a phenomenon where the brain adapts eye movement to object speed, is determined by specific neural networks in the frontal eye fields.
Researchers found that commensal bacteria DNA binds to receptors on immune cells, boosting protective T cells and clearing pathogens. This natural adjuvant mechanism enables the immune system to distinguish between harmful and beneficial microbes.
A study of 1,454 youth found that 72% experienced cyberbullying, with online incidents often accompanied by in-school bullying. Most victims kept the abuse secret, fearing parental restrictions on internet use.
A recent study reveals that elite opinion leaders hold varying foreign policy beliefs, including Missionaries, Hegemonists, and Globalizers. The most prevalent orientations are Hegemonists, Globalizers, and Progressive Internationalists. Minority views advocate for cultural approaches to foreign policy, rejecting dominance by US power.
A recent study found that African-American blogs provide a unique platform for discussing HIV and AIDS, allowing individuals to express themselves freely and anonymously. The researchers identified three key risk factors for the Black community: ineffective leadership, Black cultural practices, and individual behaviors.
Scientists trained a species of moth to link specific scents with sugar water rewards, discovering that the interval between odor presentation and reward is crucial for learning. This process allows integration of neural activities and represents a key finding in understanding how associations are built between stimuli and behavior.
Researchers found that inactivating key genes involved in 'fat-burning' can increase energy expenditure and lower diet-induced obesity. By forcing the body to use less efficient methods, mice became resistant to obesity despite consuming a high-fat diet.
A comprehensive review of US Gulf Coast bays suggests they will face dramatic and rapid flooding events in the coming century. Sediment flow from dams and sea-level increases pose a significant threat, with some bays potentially expanding by one-third over 100-200 years.
Researchers found adult beetles store beneficial fungus and bacterium in specialized compartment to aid survival. This symbiotic relationship inhibits competitor fungus growth while promoting nutrition for developing larvae.
Researchers used otolith chemistry to identify individuals from different nurseries and found that over half of juvenile bluefin tuna in North American waters were of Mediterranean origin. The study also shows that over 95% of adult bluefin tuna return to their place of origin to spawn, with critical implications for fisheries management.
A new study published in J Palliative Medicine found that more than half of US hospitals offer palliative care services, but availability varies widely across the country. Not-for-profit hospitals and midwestern/western regions have seen significant growth in palliative care adoption.
Researchers at the MUHC categorized timeframes involved in getting pediatric oncology patients to initial therapy, finding that it takes approximately one month to get a diagnosis from a pediatric oncologist. The study also identified disparities in treatment times based on cancer type and patient age.
A new study shows that most general practice doctors are willing to discuss their own patient care errors with colleagues, but about one in four do not. The findings highlight the importance of learning from mistakes and provide opportunities for emotional support for physicians.
Researchers at Children's National Hospital have developed a novel anti-tumor vaccine that uses the tumor's own protein to induce an immune system response. The vaccine, known as ISAPs, was shown to block tumor growth in mice by activating immune cells that target specific tumor antigens.
The John S. Dunn Research Foundation has awarded Rice University a $3 million grant to support collaborative research studies in biomedical science with potential clinical applications.
Researchers at the University of Michigan are developing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that can return excess energy to the grid, improving sustainability and resilience. This project aims to create a new technology coupling transportation and power grid infrastructures.
A Northwestern University research team developed a nanomaterial-based biomedical device that delivers chemotherapy drugs locally to tumor sites, reducing unnecessary exposure to toxic drugs. The device takes advantage of nanodiamonds for sustained drug release, which was demonstrated to be effective for one month.
Scientists at Leiden University have discovered that receptor models commonly used in drug design may not be accurate, leading to a better understanding of how drugs work. The adenosine A2A receptor's crystal structure has been cracked, revealing a small molecule called ZM241385 with high affinity for the receptor.
A research team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has identified a brain pathway responsible for regulating food intake and body weight. The discovery, published in Cell, suggests that targeting this pathway could lead to new treatments for obesity and related disorders such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers discovered a molecule called ACF7 that helps regulate and power cell movement along the extracellular matrix. Without ACF7, cellular movement slows down, suggesting its importance in preventing cancer cell migration and metastasis.
Researchers from UNC Chapel Hill found that water behaves differently inside carbon nanotubes depending on temperature, with potential implications for ultra-tiny devices and biological structures. The study's findings may lead to new technologies such as nano-fluidic chips and permeable membranes.
The report identifies 11 cultural features that predict levels of violence, including militaristic readiness, glorification of fighters, and socialization of male children towards aggression. These findings highlight the need to alter beliefs about alcohol and respond to violence in a way that addresses the underlying cultural factors.
The 'Rolling Back Malaria' partnership has announced a comprehensive plan to control and eradicate malaria, targeting short-term reduction of mortality and morbidity by half by 2010 and long-term elimination of transmission. The plan is estimated to save 4.2 million lives in Africa, but requires $62 billion in funding by 2020.
Yale researchers have confirmed that plants with fast reproductive cycles exhibit more rapid rates of molecular evolution. Their study analyzed DNA sequence data for five major evolutionary lineages within flowering plants, revealing a clear pattern where shorter-lived species show greater variability in their rates of evolution.
The Penn State MRSEC will continue its research in four areas: nanoscale motors, nanowires, optical metamaterials, and multiferroics. The center aims to design new materials with unprecedented properties and functions.
Researchers found that juvenile bluefin tuna from both regions return to their birthplace to spawn, contradicting previous assumptions about fish migration patterns. This study has significant implications for managing bluefin tuna fisheries in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic.
A new study on Sudanese refugee children separated from their parents during the civil war reveals that they employed various coping mechanisms to deal with uncertainty. The children turned to peers for information about their families and formed alternative families within the camps, showing resilience in the face of adversity.
The Commonwealth Fund report compares Senator McCain and Senator Obama's health reform proposals, revealing divergent approaches to expanding health insurance. While both plans aim to reduce the number of uninsured, their strategies differ: Senator Obama strengthens employer coverage and public programs, while Senator McCain encourages...
Researchers have discovered a link between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) protein and cancer development. EBNA1 protein disrupts structures in the nucleus of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, interfering with tumor-suppressive processes. This finding raises the possibility that EBV could play a role in other cancers.
Research shows corneal epithelium contains stem cells that generate two different epithelial tissues, contradicting prevailing opinion. These cells are activated in everyday renewal, while limbal stem cells respond to serious injuries.
Researchers are developing nanofiber-based probes for medical diagnostics, which may save time and money compared to traditional methods. The probes, 10 times smaller in diameter than a human hair, can extract tiny samples from biological fluids.
Researchers discovered an electromagnetic biomarker that predicts a patient's response to ketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant. Increasing activity in the anterior cingulate cortex hub near the front of the brain while viewing flashing frightful faces correlates with improved symptoms after receiving ketamine.
A study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology confirms that colonoscopy reduces colorectal cancer incidence, with the greatest benefit seen after seven years of follow-up. However, the effectiveness of colonoscopy is reduced for cancers arising in the proximal colon.
A study in the RAND Journal of Economics found that firms distort product sizes to induce different types of customers to buy larger versions. Design distortions decrease with drink size, with products having the largest profit margins being close to efficient.
A two-hour observation using Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics (MCAO) system revealed changes in Jupiter's smog-like haze over the past three years, likely due to a planet-wide upheaval. The images show a major alteration in the brightness of the equatorial haze, indicating an increase in haze or its movement to higher altitudes.
Researchers Jan Schmedes and Ralph J. Archuleta found that locally ground motion increases near the epicenter but not equally along the rupture plane of large earthquakes. A new method for estimating detection capability was also developed, providing a more complete picture of seismicity.
The Temporal Dynamics of Learning Center has received a $12 million NSF award to expand its research on the role of time and timing in learning. The center's unique collaboration with teachers and researchers aims to develop innovative programs that apply laboratory findings to the classroom.
Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered a bacteria cell's 'stressosome', a large molecule that responds to external stress and danger. The stressosomes trigger a cascade of signals within the cell, producing over 150 proteins that enable the cell to adapt and survive.
A new sediment curve derived from Paleozoic Era sediments provides a predictive model for tracking sediment migration. The tool covers the entire Paleozoic Era, spanning 542 to 251 million years ago, and can help the oil industry with discoveries in previously unexplored areas.
A group of international scientists agrees that biofuel production requires environmental standards to prevent harm. The experts recommend incentive programs and sustainable practices like no-till farming to reduce negative impacts on the environment.
Researchers at Queen's University are developing a new robotic system to service distant satellites with ailing mechanical systems. The Autonomous Space Servicing Vehicle (ASSV) uses tracking software and LIDAR technology to grasp and repair satellites in real-time, overcoming the limitations of manned space flight.
Researchers successfully optically detected individual action potentials in brain cells of mice, enabling observation of brain activity over months. This new method provides insights into neural communication and may aid in identifying early onset of neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A US biofuels mandate may benefit energy needs but put environmental sustainability at risk, according to a recent article. The article emphasizes the need for research and sound policy to mitigate climate change while promoting sustainable production systems.
Dr. Elizabeth North's research team will use in-water sampling and computer modeling to identify factors influencing oyster larvae transport in the Choptank River. The study aims to enhance oyster restoration efforts throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay.
Researchers developed a 'slug calorimeter' technique to measure thermal conductivity of fireproofing materials under extreme heat. This new method has been adopted commercially and published as a national standard, with potential applications in steel fireproofing, wood-based materials, and spacecraft insulation.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution resolve solar system formation with detailed model of supernova triggering collapse. The 'Little Bang' theory suggests a supernova shock wave triggered the Sun and planets.
Experts warn that nations blocking humanitarian aid to their people are violating international human rights and potentially committing crimes against humanity. The authors argue that intervention is justified in cases where leaders deliberately block aid, leading to widespread death and suffering.
Researchers developed a complex numerical model to represent the conversion of ion concentrations to electrical impulses in eel cells. They found that artificial cells can generate more energy than natural electrocytes, with potential applications for powering small implant devices.
A new study published in Risk Analysis found that the presence of safety measures has a significantly higher impact on trust than their absence. Researchers surveyed 640 participants and asked about various safety measures such as emergency phone numbers and weather conditions.
A new study published in Health Services Research compared the costs of physician-owned specialty hospitals with those of full-service hospitals. The results show that specialty hospitals, particularly orthopedic and surgical ones, are not more cost-efficient than their full-service counterparts.