Research at University of Illinois found that physically fit children have a bigger hippocampus and perform better on tests of memory. A study using MRI measures found associations between aerobic fitness and improved cognitive tasks in pre-adolescent children.
Researchers used a particle model to explain how birds make decisions when landing on foraging flights. The collective switching from flying to landing state overrides individual intentions, heavily influenced by bird position within the flock and perturbations.
A study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that cancer patients who die in hospitals or ICUs have worse quality of life, compared to those dying at home with hospice services. Caregivers of patients who died in ICUs are also at higher risk for developing PTSD and prolonged grief disorder.
Researchers identified a gene network tied to high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B levels, which predict downstream cardiovascular disease. The study exposes potential targets for the treatment of heart disease and highlights the importance of understanding biological networks in disease prevention.
The Arctic sea ice cover reached its minimum extent for the year in September, marking the third-lowest recorded since satellites started measuring sea ice extent in 1979. The 2010 minimum ice extent is significantly below the long-term average and outside natural climate variability.
Researchers found that plants growing in contaminated soil near Chernobyl have limited biochemical changes, suggesting adaptations to withstand radiation. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms enabling plant survival in highly radioactive environments.
Researchers at Purdue University are working on a project to develop a system for generating large quantities of synthetic fuel from agricultural wastes, other biomass or coal. The goal is to create a sustainable synthetic fuel economy by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and increasing the yield of liquid fuel.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists have identified cells in mice that prevent the immune system from attacking own cells, potentially leading to improved therapies for autoimmune diseases. The discovery highlights the importance of balancing the immune response, with CD8+ Treg cells playing a key role.
A new study finds that training can eliminate the gender gap in spatial abilities in first graders, a promising direction for improving girls' math and science skills. The research suggests that early intervention programs can help level the playing field and provide equal opportunities for girls to excel in these areas.
A new study found that adults who drank the most milk and had high vitamin D levels lost more weight than those with low dairy calcium intake. The researchers also discovered that boosting key milk nutrients could aid in successful weight loss.
A recent study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that physician rating systems are not consistent across insurance companies, leading to confusion among consumers. The study also revealed that board certification, Medicaid acceptance, and practice location were independent factors associated with a top-tier ratin...
Research found that chronic stress increases cancer spread by 30-fold in stressed mice compared to unstressed controls. Stress alters the biology of immune cells, promoting metastasis to distant organs. Beta blockers blocked this effect, suggesting potential prevention strategies.
A recent study published by the American Chemical Society found that cranberry juice is effective in preventing urinary tract infections. The study revealed that cranberry juice cocktail can prevent E. coli bacteria from sticking to other bacteria and surfaces, allowing it to be flushed out of the urinary tract more easily.
The completed cacao genome project provides genetic information to improve planting stocks and protect fragile incomes of West African, Asian, and South American cocoa farmers. The dataset is publicly available, enabling breeders and researchers around the world to share tools and fight disease in their crops.
Researchers from Michigan State University are creating a new wearable sensor network to assess physical activity and well-being. The system uses three small wireless sensors that measure frequency, intensity, time, and type of activity, providing valuable information for remote assessment and management.
A multi-center team of scientists from OHSU is part of the prestigious Beta Cell Biology Consortium, aiming to develop a cell-based therapy for insulin delivery in type 1 diabetes patients. The researchers hope to produce abundant quantities of functional human insulin-producing beta cells that can be used for transplantation.
A new study examines how Dutch and Japanese people assess others' emotions, finding that Japanese participants rely more on vocal tone than facial expressions. This cultural difference in perception can lead to misunderstandings between individuals from different backgrounds.
A new computational method, ChIP Enrichment Analysis (ChEA), helps streamline gene expression experiment analysis and identifies potential drug targets. The database integrates results from ChIP-seq and ChIP-chip experiments, providing a better understanding of transcription factor regulation and disease development.
Research reveals that glaciers in cold climates protect mountain tops and sides from erosion, allowing them to grow higher. By analyzing rocks exposed on remote glaciers in Patagonia, scientists found that the protective effect of glaciers reverses the conventional view of them as powerful agents of erosion.
Research published online in journal Gut found that taking even a very low dose of regular aspirin (75 mg) can reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer. After one year, daily low-dose aspirin was associated with a 22% reduced risk of developing bowel cancer, which increased to 30% after five years.
New studies on carbon nanotubes indicate they are at least 117 times stronger than steel and 30 times stronger than Kevlar, expanding commercial and industrial applications.
A new study has found that alcohol consumption after a breast cancer diagnosis may increase the risk of cancer recurrence. The study followed 1,897 women with early-stage breast cancer and found that those who consumed 3 to 4 drinks per week had a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence and death compared to non-drinkers.
A new area of study called the 'science of team science' (SciTS) aims to resolve problems facing interdisciplinary research teams. The study focuses on what works and what doesn't when teams of scientists work together to achieve a common goal.
Researchers have successfully tested a potential vaccine against Ichthyophthirius, a parasitic disease causing significant losses in commercial fish farming and home aquarium hobbyists. The study showed that vaccination with live Ich theronts stimulated production of protective antibodies in channel catfish.
Astronomer Joel Kastner finds evidence that a variable star in the Pisces constellation is a one billion-year-old red giant that has swallowed a companion star, forming an orbiting disk that may contain second-generation planets. The star's extreme properties and X-ray production rate point to its advanced age.
A study found that medical students experiencing burnout are more likely to engage in unprofessional conduct, such as dishonest behaviors and neglecting patient care. This association suggests a link between personal distress and professional behavior, highlighting the importance of addressing burnout in medical education.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have discovered a new mechanism behind craniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS) and cleft palate. A mutation in the ephrin-B1 gene causes cell proliferation anomalies, leading to facial malformations.
Nine Plant Feedstocks Genomics for Bioenergy awards have been given to ASPB members, who will explore ways to enhance productivity, yield and sustainability of plants as sources of biofuels. Researchers will investigate the role of microRNAs, small RNA molecules and genetic diversity in improving bioenergy crops.
Researchers found that medical students who attended workshops on contextual clues during patient examinations showed significant improvement in treating patients with unique contexts. The study suggests that individualized care is something that can be taught and should be part of medical training.
Researchers developed population-specific identification criteria for the Chilean population to determine stature and biological sex of skeletal remains. This will help identify victims of political violence under Pinochet's regime and aid in contemporary body identification efforts in Chile.
A new microfluidic chip developed by Taiwanese researchers uses surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy to sort and identify bacteria. The technique creates unique spectral fingerprints for different bacterial species, enabling efficient identification.
Scientists used fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to investigate the processes at the surface of growing crystals. They found that when single tetragonal crystals formed, there was no concentration gradient between the solution and the crystal surface. However, in formation of clumps of needle-like branched crystals, called spherul...
Researchers found that people who watched videos of someone else performing simple actions were more likely to falsely remember doing the same action themselves two weeks later. This phenomenon, known as observation inflation, may be due to internal simulation of what others are doing while observing them.
A large prospective cohort study found that healthier lifestyle-related factors were independently associated with a lower risk of total and cause-specific mortality among Chinese women. These factors included normal weight, lower waist-hip ratio, exercise participation and higher daily fruit and vegetable intake.
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a new manufacturing approach to reduce solar energy costs using continuous electronic sheets and roll-to-roll processing techniques. The hybrid material enables high-quality production with lower costs, making it competitive with silicon-based products.
The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder captured icy cold cloud top temperatures in Hurricane Igor, with readings as low as -90F. The storm's eye showed a warmer, open area with sea surface temperatures powering it.
Researchers have identified neuroimaging techniques that can predict Parkinson's disease in patients with REM sleep disturbances, enabling early neuroprotective treatment strategies. A study found that 19% of patients developed a neurodegenerative disorder within two and a half years, with 5 cases of Parkinson's disease among those sho...
A JAMA article recommends integrating biomedical informatics into medical education to improve physicians' ability to manage information and make informed decisions. The field of biomedical informatics has four major areas of applications, including bioinformatics, imaging informatics, clinical informatics, and public health informatics.
Brown University researchers have created an artificial human ovary, enabling them to mature human eggs in a lab setting. The innovation could lead to fertility research and infertility treatments for cancer patients.
Neuralstem's spinal cord stem cells survive and differentiate into neurons in rat brains affected by stroke, leading to improved motor skill and strength measurements. The study shows significant promise for treating post-stroke symptoms and paralysis.
A legal analysis by Lawrence O. Gostin asserts the health insurance mandate is constitutional due to federal powers regulating interstate commerce and taxation. The mandate's tax penalty is seen as essential for expanding healthcare access and correcting market failures, making it a key component of health reform.
Research suggests that heart patients with Type D personality are at a higher risk of developing future cardiovascular issues. A three-fold increase in such risks was observed among Type D patients compared to those without this personality profile.
Nautilus provides cutting-edge capabilities for analyzing large datasets in various fields, including life sciences and astrophysics. The system is designed to process vast amounts of data using its shared-memory architecture with four terabytes of memory.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon researchers found that doctors rationalize accepting gifts from pharmaceutical companies as a form of reward for their educational sacrifices. This rationalization increased their willingness to accept gifts, with the most significant impact when physicians were reminded of their medical training burdens.
The study found no link between ethnic diversity and high levels of perceived antisocial behaviour, contradicting previous research. Residents in ethnically diverse areas were actually less likely to believe the national crime rate was increasing.
A study found that depressed medical students are more likely to endorse depression stigma attitudes and experience suicidal thoughts. The authors suggest new approaches may be needed to reduce stigma and enhance prevention, detection, and treatment of mental illness in medical education.
A nationwide study of over 84,000 students found that those with high debt levels or low MCAT scores were more likely to face difficulties in medical school, including graduation or licensing exam failure. Students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups also faced higher dropout rates.
A study led by Professor Graham Packham of the University of Southampton shows that watercress compounds can block a critical pathway linked to cancer development. The research found that eating watercress may interfere with the function of protein HIF, which plays a role in tumor growth.
Reading food labels can improve weight loss chances for middle-aged Americans, with women and overweight/obese individuals seeing better success rates. The analysis also highlights the value of standardized nutrition facts on packaged foods and calls for posting nutritional information in restaurants and vending machines.
A recent study by Yale University law professor Dan Kahan and others found that scientific consensus on issues like climate change and nuclear waste disposal is not enough to persuade people with competing cultural values. Instead, individuals tend to evaluate expert opinions based on their own cultural predispositions.
A study published in NeuroImage found that tranquil scenes with natural features stimulate brain activity, whereas man-made environments disrupt connections. The research aimed to understand the brain's response to tranquility and may inform the design of more calming public spaces.
A US clinical trial demonstrated the strong safety profile of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells in patients after a severe heart attack. The study found improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction and volumes at six months, suggesting potential benefits for cell therapy trials.
J. Robert Selman, a leading expert in electrochemical engineering of batteries and fuel cells, will receive the prestigious Grove Medal for his valuable contributions to fuel cell technology. He has written over 135 journal papers and holds six patents, including those for phase change material in Li-ion batteries.
A new peer-reviewed paper reveals most of the world's remaining tigers are clustered in just six percent of their available habitat. Effective conservation efforts focused on these 42 'source sites' can prevent extinction and seed a recovery of the wild tiger, requiring an additional $35 million annually.
Researchers at UNC Charlotte are using Charlotte as an ideal living laboratory to study urban growth and sustainability. The project aims to determine if there are possibilities for alternative futures where urbanization, forest, and working lands can co-exist in an economic and environmentally sustainable fashion.
A study found that non-white students and those with lower Medical College Admission Test scores are more likely to drop out of medical school. The research, conducted by Washington University in St. Louis, analyzed data from over 97,000 students who were accepted between 1994-1999.
Researchers have developed a new generation of antibiotics that can overcome drug-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA. By harnessing the enzymes that inactivate antibiotics, the team created modified drugs that are effective against resistant bacterial strains.
A study by the Congenital Cardiovascular Interventional Study Consortium found that stent implantation for aortic coarctation had an 86% intermediate success rate and 77% long-term success rate. The procedure was associated with a need for antihypertensive medication in 32% of patients.
A study by Imperial College London and others found that a mix of cooperative and selfish yeast strains grew faster than a population of only cooperators. The 'cheats' ate broken-down sugar without producing it themselves, saving energy and improving efficiency when sugar was scarce.
New research reveals that early plants overcame an evolutionary hurdle by utilizing sugars from the environment, contrary to previous assumptions. This discovery has significant implications for global carbon cycling models, suggesting a more complex role for mixotrophy in plant growth and development.