Geochemical analysis of rare ancient soils provides new data on Central Africa's paleoclimate during the Late Jurassic period. The findings indicate an extremely arid climate with minimal rainfall and few vegetation species, contrasting with the lush tropical rainforest it is today.
Researchers found that skunks' distinctive black-and-white coloration is not enough to deter predators, but rather it's the combination of color and body shape. In areas where skunks are common, predators avoid animals with similar shapes or colors, highlighting a stronger learning component in prey recognition.
Research by Temple University's Judith Gold suggests that excessive texting among college students can lead to neck and shoulder pain, a condition typically associated with prolonged computer use. The study uses infrared cameras and motion analysis to track the body's position during texting simulations.
NASA's GOES satellite captures images of Tropical Storm Ida's landfall on Dauphin Island, Alabama. The storm is expected to produce heavy rainfall and flash flooding across the southeastern US.
A study found higher Anisakis spp presence in anchovies from Atlantic South East coast and Mediterranean North West coast. Freezing or cooking fish can reduce the risk of anisakiasis.
A new study published in Psychology of Women Quarterly found a significant gender-based pay gap among US faculty members, with women earning an average of 30% less than men. The study analyzed salaries at a large American university and controlled for factors such as education level, experience, and rank.
Purdue researchers have developed finFETs using indium-gallium-arsenide, enabling faster and more compact circuits. The new technology may replace conventional silicon transistors and solve the industry's transistor limitations.
A new study linked erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to a higher risk of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients. The analysis, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, suggests that ESAs may not be worth the increased risk of blood clots.
Researchers aim to understand how neurons navigate to form synapses, a process guided by molecular cues within growth cones. The development of sensitive probes could provide vital information on nervous system development and repair.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers found that people with less education are more likely to get H1N1 and the flu vaccine may be less effective in them. The study suggests that lower socioeconomic status can make it harder for adults of all ages to fight off new infections.
A University of Florida team has identified a protein that contributes to age-related hearing loss in the elderly. The findings suggest that enhancing antioxidant defenses may reduce damage and delay onset of hearing loss, offering new targets for therapy.
Scientists at Durham University discovered rapid star formation in 'stellar nurseries' of infant galaxies, creating new stars at a rate 100 times faster than expected. This finding provides insight into the birth of our own galaxy and how it formed its first stars.
A new study found that foreign subtitles can enhance second-language listening ability, particularly when the subtitles are in the same language as the film. English subtitling was associated with improved recognition of both familiar and unfamiliar words, while Dutch subtitling reduced this effect on new materials.
A study suggests that many dinosaurs were probably endothermic, athletic animals due to their high energy requirements during walking and running. This trait may have enabled them to thrive in various habitats, including colder regions, allowing them to cover the entire Mesozoic landscape.
Researchers found that managers tend to downplay the significance of their past forecasting mistakes when predicting future earnings. This underestimation can influence how investors respond to new forecast announcements, contributing to persistent price drift after an earnings announcement. Further study is needed to determine if this...
University of Miami engineer Mohamed Abdel-Mottaleb develops state-of-the-art systems for 3-D face and ear biometric identification, surpassing conventional shape matching methods in computational efficiency. His techniques achieve high recognition rates, including 100% accuracy when combining facial and ear data.
A recent study found that female plants are more likely to be colonized by mycorrhizal fungi than male plants, leading to a shift in population dynamics. This sex-specific interaction may contribute to the spatial segregation of males and females in certain plant species.
Tropical Cyclone 4A has developed with maximum sustained winds near 37 mph, moving north at 13 mph over the Arabian Sea. High-powered thunderstorms are expected to continue intensifying as the storm moves north and makes landfall east of the India-Pakistan border.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new adsorption technology that makes carbon a key material in green heating products, reducing domestic fuel bills and CO2 emissions. The technology can create heat pumps that are up to 20 times smaller than previously possible, with potential savings of 30% or more.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography are developing autonomous underwater explorers, or AUEs, to trace small-scale ocean processes vital to tiny marine inhabitants. The miniature robots will provide new information about marine protected areas, harmful algal blooms, and oil spills.
Researchers discuss imaging techniques that may contribute to early diagnosis and advancements in treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The study highlights the potential of biomarkers like MRI and PET to identify underlying structural and functional pathology in AD, MCI, and related diseases.
Researchers at Queen's University have found a significant connection between two genes involved in human cancer formation by studying their behavior in worms. Increasing Eph receptor levels in worms led to decreased PTEN levels and premature death, highlighting the potential for targeted cancer therapy.
Researchers found that copper and zinc toxicity in soybeans is additive, with high copper inhibiting zinc adsorption and causing more extractable zinc. Soil texture also influenced the degree of toxicity, with coarse-textured soils being more susceptible.
The University of Colorado is launching a butterfly experiment on the International Space Station on November 16, monitoring the growth and development of monarch and painted lady butterflies in weightless conditions. Thousands of K-12 students across the nation will compare the results with similar experiments on Earth.
A new lab machine developed by Iowa State University professor Neal Iverson can simulate key elements of glacier sliding, helping researchers understand how glaciers react to climate change. The machine uses a ring of ice and hydraulic press to apply pressures equal to those beneath a 1,300-foot-thick glacier.
The study found that terrestrial ecosystems and oceans have a much greater capacity to absorb CO2 than previously thought, with the airborne fraction of CO2 remaining stable at 0.7% per decade since 1850. This challenges recent research suggesting a decrease in absorption capacity as CO2 emissions rise.
A Universite de Montréal study published in PNAS found that negative emotions amplify pain, while positive emotions reduce it. The research used fMRI scans to measure brain activity in subjects exposed to painful electric shocks while viewing pleasant or unpleasant images.
Researchers found that Impatiens pallida, also known as yellow jewelweed, can recognize its relatives and adjust its resource allocation accordingly. The plant responds differently to aboveground cues depending on whether it's competing with a relative or a stranger.
A Mayo Clinic study found that routine annual evaluation of prostate growth is not a reliable predictor for prostate cancer development. However, if PSA levels are rising quickly, a prostate biopsy is recommended to determine if prostate cancer exists.
Researchers used DNA origami to create molecular breadboards, solving the challenge of organizing carbon nanotubes into nanoscale electronic circuits. The innovative technique exploits DNA's sequence-recognition properties and stickiness to 'stick' carbon nanotubes onto its surface.
Researchers have discovered that ancient penguin DNA can significantly challenge the accuracy of traditional genetic aging measurements, suggesting that many specimens may be up to 600% younger than reported. This finding has major implications for our understanding of evolutionary rates and the history of evolution.
Researchers at Georgia Tech are developing methods to identify and remotely repair infected mobile devices and improve the security of cellular networks. They plan to investigate whether service providers can detect infected devices on their networks and will build a test bed to simulate how devices communicate over a network.
A study comparing optical diagnosis with conventional histopathology found that optical methods accurately identified up to 93% of small colorectal polyps. The method also enabled quicker follow-up colonoscopies and saved patients an estimated £6560 in clinical appointments.
The International Forum for Acute Care Trialists (InFACT) H1N1 Collaboration aims to develop coordinated, long-term approaches to treating severe H1N1 infection. Clinical trials will evaluate corticosteroids and statins as potential treatments for patients with severe H1N1 infection.
The project aims to create a communication network capable of supporting various military platforms and devices, while ensuring security and trustworthiness.
The 2009 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards honored excellence in science reporting, including a story about probability told through a drifting balloon and a series on a rare genetic disorder affecting a family in rural Montana. The winners will receive $3000 and a plaque at the 2010 AAAS Annual Meeting.
A new study shows that a single hour of mindfulness meditation training can significantly reduce pain awareness and sensitivity. The research found that meditation subjects experienced less pain while meditating and after the activity was concluded, compared to control groups.
Research suggests that many dinosaur species were probably endothermic, with the potential for athletic abilities rivalling those of present-day birds and mammals. This would have allowed them to inhabit colder habitats, but also required a constant supply of fuel due to rapid metabolisms.
Researchers found that nutlin-3 activates the p53 pathway and suppresses tumor growth in mice models of chemoresistant neuroblastoma. Oral administration of nutlin-3 as a single agent reduced tumor growth and metastasis, providing a potential treatment option for advanced-stage and chemoresistant neuroblastoma.
A virtual reality game called FearNot! was tested on 1,129 children aged eight to nine in the UK and Germany. The result: a 26% decrease in bullying victimization over a three-week period.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has published a new cookbook featuring 75 heart-healthy recipes from various cuisines. The recipes are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and are limited in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
A fossil plant discovery by Peter Wilf and colleagues has reassigned the species Libocedrus prechilensis to Papuacedrus, indicating that Patagonia was once a warm, wet tropical place. This find also establishes a connection between tropical West Pacific regions and Australia via a forested Antarctic land bridge during the Eocene.
Researchers analyzed stalagmites from a cave in the Sierra Nevada and found that past global warming coincided with centuries-long droughts in California. The study suggests that Arctic sea ice disappearance may lead to changes in precipitation patterns over California.
A new study published in Cancer Research found that a potential drug for lung cancer eliminated tumours in 50% of mice and stopped growth and resistance to treatment. The researchers are planning to take the drug into clinical trials to establish its effectiveness for patients with small cell lung cancer.
Researchers at University of Missouri have developed a pupil response test that is 92.5 percent accurate in separating children with autism from those with typical development. Children with autism show slower pupil responses to light change, a potential biomarker for early screening and improved developmental outcomes.
A meta-analysis of over 28,000 toxicological tests challenges the notion that amphibians are uniquely susceptible to pollution. Researchers found that frogs range from moderately susceptible to 'bullet-proof' against environmental threats, with other factors contributing to their decline.
A randomized controlled trial found that prone positioning in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) did not significantly reduce mortality rates compared to supine positioning. Despite higher complication rates in the prone group, outcomes were similar for both groups at 28 days and 6 months.
The university is leading an NIH-funded study to create avatar doctors for role-playing practice, aiming to bridge communication gaps between patients and healthcare providers of different backgrounds. The technology aims to empower patients with the skills needed to manage chronic illnesses.
A survey of patients who experienced adverse events during hospitalization found that those disclosed to were twice as likely to rank their care as good or excellent. Disclosure was associated with improved patient perceptions of higher-quality care, even when the event was preventable.
Researchers found that transplanted stem cells restored learning and memory to normal levels in rats four months after radiotherapy. The treatment showed promise in reversing radiation-induced damage of healthy tissue in the brain.
Between 1997 and 2006, median wait times increased by 36%, with emergent patients waiting 87% longer to be seen. The percentage of patients seen within the triage target time declined an average of 0.8% per year, particularly for emergent patients.
The TRMM satellite revealed most of Ida's heaviest rainfall was located just off the coasts of Nicaragua, Honduras, and Belize. The satellite data also showed that the heavy rainfall tapered off except for a few intense thunderstorms near the northeastern coast of Honduras.
A new study suggests that progression-free survival (PFS) is a reasonable primary endpoint for clinical trials of metastatic cancer when the median survival post-progression (SPP) is less than 6 months. However, PFS benefit does not always translate to overall survival (OS) benefit in cases where SPP is longer than 12 months.
African Americans are less likely to receive kidney/pancreas transplants than similar patients in other racial groups, despite increased Medicare coverage. Physician bias may be a contributing factor, with doctors assuming African Americans have type 2 diabetes when they may actually qualify for type 1 diabetes.
NASA's TRMM and QuikScat satellites provide critical data on Tropical Storm Ida's rainfall and wind patterns. The storm's center is expected to make landfall along the northern Gulf coast Tuesday morning.
Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute found that children with autism have poor handwriting quality due to fine motor control issues, particularly in letter formation. The study suggests training children on letter formation and fine motor skills can improve handwriting performance.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed nanocrystalline diamond probes that outperform commercially available silicon nitride probes by 10 times in terms of durability. The new probes can accurately predict wear and have applications in atomic force microscopy.
Research suggests that NSAIDs can prevent the early appearance of neuronal cell cycle events in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. However, treatment with NSAIDs does not reverse existing neuronal CCEs. Additionally, interstitial macrophages may play a role in preventing asthma by inhibiting LPS-induced immune responses.
A meta-analysis of major clinical trials found that clopidogrel significantly reduces cardiovascular events by 16% in men and 7% in women, with a greater benefit for women in reducing heart attack risk. However, both sexes experience a small but real increased risk of major bleeding.
Researchers from Australia and the UK call for a new approach to sports sponsorship debates, shifting the burden of proof to the alcohol industry. They argue that the industry should show that sponsorship does not cause unhealthy alcohol use among adults or encourage children to drink.