A growing body of evidence suggests that global phosphorus reserves are declining, threatening food security. The Arizona State University Sustainable P Initiative aims to develop solutions through technological innovation, conservation strategies, and recycling measures.
Researchers found that a solid-state illuminator decreases nitrate concentrations by 44-65% while increasing beneficial nutrients. The technology allows for short-term preharvest treatment, making it suitable for northern countries with poor lighting conditions.
Harvard researchers found that life and health insurance companies hold significant investments in the fast-food industry, totaling nearly $2 billion. This raises concerns about prioritizing profits over public health and the potential expansion of private insurers in the healthcare system.
The Bunya soybean variety is gaining popularity in Japan due to its enhanced suitability as an ingredient in traditional Japanese dishes. Its unique gelation properties make it ideal for producing a range of soy-based foods like tofu and custard.
A Tel Aviv University security expert has identified serious security drawbacks in US passports, credit cards, and e-voting systems. The researcher, Prof. Avishai Wool, found that hackers can access the chip embedded in passports using simple devices, while smart card vulnerabilities allow for easy jamming of radio frequencies.
A new study from UC Berkeley concludes that younger Americans are getting the better deal when factoring in public education as an intergenerational entitlement program. The researchers found that people born between 1972 and 2060 will make net gains of 4 to 6 percent over their lifetimes, while those now aged 63 to 80 have paid out mo...
Pitt Dental School researchers discovered a link between genetic variations and increased rates of tooth decay and aggressive periodontitis. The study found that individuals with specific polymorphisms in the DEFB1 gene had higher DMFT and DMFS scores, indicating a higher risk of developing these conditions.
A University of Illinois professor argues that teaching young children to write without borrowing from popular culture is problematic and contradictory. She advocates for allowing children to copy or borrow plotlines, narratives, and characters from media stories to prepare them for a highly mediated world.
A new Lancet editorial promotes the 'eat 5 fruit and veg a day' message despite recent findings suggesting a lower protective effect against cancer. Four key benefits remain: heart disease prevention, strong protection against specific cancers, weight management, and bowel cancer prevention.
A University of Michigan Health System study found black men with chronic pain experience more severe symptoms, leading to increased disability and depression. The study highlights the need for a culturally appropriate approach to caring for black men with chronic pain.
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center discovered a strong link between rare gene variants on chromosome 16 and the development of various seizure disorders. The study found that deletions in this region can cause a wide range of neurological disorders, including schizophrenia and specific forms of epilepsy.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have discovered a genetic framework that can explain and predict adverse drug reactions, including heart arrhythmias. The framework, developed by Ravi Iyengar and his team, uses genetic information to identify potential risks for arrhythmias in patients taking certain medications.
Researchers found that US women living along the US-Mexico border prefer buying over-the-counter oral contraceptives from Mexican pharmacies due to their convenience and affordability. The study also showed that older women and those born in Mexico were more likely to take advantage of this option.
A new study published in the journal Obesity found that medical and allied health professions need to present a balanced view of obesity causes and treatment when training young professionals. This approach resulted in significant reductions in obesity prejudice. The research suggests that health educators should deliver convincing, ba...
A genetic study has pinpointed the role of LIN28B in regulating height growth from birth to adulthood in a complex and sex-specific manner. The research found that two variants of the gene influence growth, with one having a more prominent effect on males.
Researchers discovered that regions of the brain with increased amyloid-beta deposits are not the same as those with atrophy due to neuron loss. The study found that these regions can disrupt connections with the hippocampus, leading to neuron death.
Researchers have isolated a portion of the adenovirus responsible for causing pink eye, finding that its protein coating is the key to inflammation in the eyes. This discovery offers new hope for developing a treatment for this highly contagious and common condition.
A University of Utah researcher helped discover how a protein motor works with two other proteins to move nerve cells and components inside them. Mutant LIS1 has been linked to the classic form of lissencephaly, a devastating brain malformation due to defective migration of nerve cells within the developing brain.
Researchers have developed a new technique that combines hot water treatment, rachis removal, and modified atmosphere packaging to extend shelf life of table grapes. This alternative method maintains higher oxygen retention, lower carbon dioxide accumulation, and reduced microbial populations compared to conventional packing methods.
A new study by North Carolina State University researchers links the number of diseases in a region to its climate and biodiversity, with hot, wet climates having more pathogens. The prevalence of diseases, however, is influenced by health-care spending, particularly in regions with low spending.
A new strategy for reprogramming human adult cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has been successfully developed, eliminating the need for oncogenes. This innovation offers improved safety and efficiency for producing patient-specific stem cells for therapeutic applications.
Researchers found that calorie restriction influences the same molecular pathways related to aging in all animals studied, leading to improved health and reduced chronic diseases. By understanding these pathways, scientists may develop interventions or medicines to promote healthy aging.
Researchers at Salk Institute found that genetic region determining sex in green alga Volvox carteri has changed dramatically relative to its unicellular cousin Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The team discovered new genes added to the expanded mating locus, which control male/female reproductive cell development.
Researchers developed an algorithm that enables eNoses to rate novel odors on a scale of pleasantness, achieving high accuracy in predictions, and suggesting a fundamental cross-cultural similarity in odorant pleasantness. The study's findings may lead to new methods for odor screening and environmental monitoring.
Researchers grew two populations of neurons in microfluidic platforms, forming synaptic connections and enabling manipulation with drugs or neurotransmitters. The system allows for visualization and control of synapse dynamics, shedding light on memory formation and pharmaceutical development.
Two scientific teams at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center are receiving a total of $2.3 million in research funding to continue studies on novel treatments for leukemia and bone marrow failure. The researchers aim to develop new therapeutic strategies targeting CDC42 and FA protein complexes to eliminate leukemia stem cells.
Researchers use the GeoViz Toolkit to analyze disease statistics and identify trends in geographic patterns. This allows for better understanding of complex events like the spread of Swine flu.
Researchers have discovered two compounds that allow cells to survive attacks from ricin and Shiga-like toxins, rendering them immune to these deadly threats. These compounds work by blocking the toxins' escape via cellular components, providing potential countermeasures against bioterrorism.
Research at National Jewish Health found low vitamin D levels in children with asthma were associated with poorer lung function, higher allergy markers, and increased medication use. Vitamin D supplementation may help reverse steroid resistance and reduce medication needed for asthmatic patients.
A new study reveals that a Martian meteorite, ALH84001, is approximately 4.091 billion years old, significantly younger than previously estimated ages. This finding suggests that volcanic activity was ongoing in Mars for much of its history and has implications for understanding the planet's evolution.
A TGen and VARI program is studying naturally occurring cancers in dogs to better understand the causes of disease and develop new treatments. The goal is to translate knowledge into therapeutics that can help both humans and animals, with a focus on rare sarcomas and osteosarcoma.
New research identifies Jupiter Family comets as the primary source of the zodiacal cloud's eerie glow, contradicting previous theories that pointed to asteroid dust.
A new switch has been discovered that enables Salmonella bacteria to sabotage host cells, allowing it to replicate and establish an infection. This finding could lead to the development of drugs to combat Salmonella-related diseases.
Researchers found that moderate physical loading, such as carrying one's own body weight, may actually delay disc degeneration and reduce severe back symptoms. The study contradicts the long-held assumption that routine lifting is bad for your back.
Arthritis disproportionately affects African Americans and Hispanics, with higher prevalence of activity limitation, work limitation, and severe joint pain. Simple steps like weight loss and physical activity can make a big difference in managing arthritis.
A new study by Tadahisa Higashide predicts greenhouse tomato yield fluctuations based on solar radiation, improving predictability and profitability. The model strongly correlates fluctuations in fruit number and yield with solar radiation before anthesis.
Researchers found that switchgrass can provide a suitable substrate for short-production-cycle woody crops, with fine-milled switchgrass being more consistent with normal nursery container substrates. The study showed that roses grown in switchgrass substrate had low to moderate levels of calcium and iron but were of high quality.
A MSU study of over 3,300 future US teachers and 23,244 across 16 countries reveals that math teacher preparation is crucial for student achievement. The study's findings highlight the need for more rigorous K-12 math standards and better training for US math teachers.
A new study finds that trinexapac-ethyl reduces water depletion, evapotranspiration rates, and improves turf quality in creeping bentgrass during drought stress. The treatment maintains higher leaf relative water content and osmotic adjustment under drought conditions.
A US study finds that church attendance has held relatively constant over three decades, but the demographics of attendees have shifted, with women, Catholics, and southerners seeing their influence wane. Education levels and rising minority populations are linked to these changes.
Weizmann scientists trained an electronic system to predict the pleasantness of novel odors, similar to human perception. The eNose achieved high accuracy rates, regardless of cultural background, suggesting a fundamental biological property in odorant pleasantness.
A Caltech-led team discovered that mitochondrial fusion is highly protective against high loads of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations. Without fusion, mtDNA levels drop, and the remaining mtDNA contains more mistakes, suggesting that fusion is necessary for mtDNA stability.
A study found that playing a video game before bedtime had only a small impact on the sleep of older male teens, with no significant differences in sleep latency or physiologic arousal. However, playing the game led to a slight increase in cognitive alertness and reduced subjective sleepiness.
The March 2010 issue of Clinics in Perinatology focuses on Quality Improvement (QI) methodology and its application in neonatal and perinatal practice. QI leaders share their expertise on various topics, including QI methodologies, human factors, and quality-assurance procedures.
Researchers identified childhood cancer survivors at increased risk for deteriorating lung health due to bone marrow transplants. Long-term monitoring and early intervention, as well as educating high-risk patients on avoiding tobacco smoke and air pollution, are recommended to prevent respiratory problems.
A new report suggests that low solar activity is associated with colder UK winters due to changes in jet stream patterns. The researchers found correlations between weak solar activity and 'blocking' events, leading to north-easterly winds from the Arctic.
A recent study by UCI astrophysicists refines predictions for the detection of dark matter, suggesting that current models cannot account for excess high-energy positrons. The research leaves room for future experiments to potentially detect dark-matter evidence in the near future.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has identified a potential new therapy for brain tumors by analyzing DNA methylation patterns. The discovery may help identify patients with more favorable outcomes and offer a targeted treatment approach.
A new study led by Ohio University scientists suggests that early Native Americans left a bigger carbon footprint than previously thought. By analyzing chemical composition of stalagmites, the researchers found evidence of greenhouse gas emissions due to land use practices such as burning trees for nut production.
Research finds disabled children in the UK face higher levels of poverty and personal and social disadvantage compared to their non-disabled peers. The study, published in BMC Pediatrics, found that households with disabled children are more likely to rely on social security benefits and experience additional financial costs.
The study found a strong association between the Human Development Index and rates of stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia patients. Countries with higher HDI scores had significantly better outcomes, including reduced risk of relapse and improved leukemia-free survival.
A new study by the University of Edinburgh found that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) claims the lives of up to 200,000 children globally each year. The research also showed that about 3.4 million children require hospital treatment for severe lung infection caused by RSV.
The Penn State faculty team, led by Renee Diehl, received a $2.85 million NSF grant to develop innovative open-inquiry science curriculum elements related to energy, matter, and materials. The project will foster collaboration and communication skills among STEM graduate fellows and support teacher application of science content.
A team of researchers from Université Laval has proven that it is possible to repair the defective gene responsible for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. They developed enzymes called meganucleases that can correct the dystrophin gene and restore its expression in muscle cells.
Researchers found that mice lacking the FIH protein process fat differently, resulting in improved health outcomes on a high-fat diet. The lean mice exhibit enhanced insulin sensitivity and lower cholesterol levels compared to their normal littermates.
A study found that children with ADHD exhibit more symptoms when they experience high levels of self-blame during inter-parental conflict, which is associated with genetic variations related to serotonin activity. The study suggests a synergistic effect between genetic and environmental factors in the development of ADHD.
Researchers at NCAR suggest that half of the heat believed to have built up on Earth is unaccounted for due to inadequate measurement tools. The scientists call for additional ocean sensors and better data analysis to track the flow of energy through the climate system.
A RAND Corporation study found that reducing preventable patient injuries in California hospitals from 2001 to 2005 led to a corresponding drop in malpractice claims against physicians. The study suggests that improving safety performance in healthcare settings could benefit both providers and patients.
Researchers found that only a small percentage of children with abnormal urine dipstick results actually developed chronic kidney disease. The high cost of the test, estimated at $3.47 per patient, made it an ineffective screening method. The study validated American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations to discontinue routine screening.
Researchers validate short version of WHO-DAS II as reliable and valid tool to assess disability in patients with depression. The new scale is more suitable for primary care due to its speed and accuracy.