A new study identifies an effective training program to help children overcome reading-comprehension difficulties. The Oral Language training program showed the largest long-term gains, suggesting that deficits in oral vocabulary may be a key underlying cause of these problems.
Researchers found that small male spiders can carry out the 'bridging' maneuver, a common mode of locomotion for vegetation-inhabiting spiders. This efficiency allows them to have more mating opportunities and compete better for receptive females, leading to selective pressure for smaller size.
A new study examining the effects of drought in the Amazon found that relatively undisturbed forests are tolerant of seasonal drought. The research used remote sensing and field-based studies to demonstrate this resilience and identified potential mechanisms controlling vegetation productivity across the Amazon Basin.
A protocol for detecting targeted chromosomal deletions induced by zinc finger nucleases allows researchers to estimate the frequency of ZFN-induced genomic deletions using PCR-based methods. Immunoprecipitation is also optimized with detailed instructions for lysis conditions, protease inhibitor cocktails, and general preparation.
Individuals with Parkinson's disease who were told they had a higher chance of receiving an active drug showed a stronger neurochemical response to placebo. The expectation of symptom improvement is associated with the release of dopamine in patients with Parkinson's disease and can affect motor performance.
The Caltech-Canadian Space Agency partnership aims to detect signs of microbial life and geological activity on Mars. The MATMOS instrument will analyze gases in the Martian atmosphere with high sensitivity.
Researchers studied plant toxin detection in bushbabies, lizard defense from invasive fire ants, and antioxidant defenses in barn swallows exposed to radiation. These studies highlight the importance of understanding animal behavior and adaptations to environmental changes.
A University of Colorado School of Medicine study found that incorporating mentoring and group skill-building intervention programs for children in foster care may help improve mental health outcomes. The study demonstrated that treatment groups reported fewer symptoms of depression, dissociation, and posttraumatic stress, and better q...
Most pediatricians and family physicians administer the HPV vaccine, but fewer strongly encourage it for preteens. The study found that many physicians are not using effective strategies to ensure patients complete the full vaccination series.
The ESA has elected ten new Fellows for their outstanding research, teaching, and extension work in entomology. Dr. Gary Blomquist and Dr. David Boethel are recognized for their research on pheromones and insect IPM, respectively.
A study by Wake Forest University psychologist Dustin Wood found that people's positive ratings of others are linked to their own well-being and personality traits. Positive perceptions of others are associated with being happy, kind-hearted, and emotionally stable.
The new model incorporates data on the carbon cycle, including ocean and forest absorption and release of CO2, to simulate future changes in global climate and carbon dioxide emissions. By reducing emissions by 56% by 2050, global warming would remain under the two-degree threshold until 2100.
The MultiSTEPS project at Virginia Tech aims to educate graduate students on the intersection of engineering and biological sciences, addressing issues like fluid motion, transport processes, and environmental problems.
A new study found that socioeconomic status predicts survival of Canadian cancer patients, with those from poorer backgrounds facing higher mortality rates. The study also suggests that factors such as cancer biology and access to treatment may play a role in these disparities.
Two new studies challenge the CCSVI theory, concluding that blood flow insufficiency does not contribute to MS development. The research refutes the controversial hypothesis, suggesting that venous congestion plays no significant role in MS formation.
Researchers developed a Hurricane Risk Calculator to estimate extreme wind speeds at specific locations in Florida. The calculator found that cities like Miami are more vulnerable to strong winds due to their geography and location.
Scientists have discovered that neuroglobin protects cells from stroke damage, amyloid toxicity, and lack of oxygen. High levels of neuroglobin in brain neurons may buffer them against the effects of Alzheimer's disease-causing protein accumulation.
A literature review confirms that hand therapy addresses key factors in hand injury recovery, including swelling control, wound management, range of motion, strengthening of the hand, and work conditioning. Finding a qualified therapist is essential for optimal outcomes.
A team of scientists believes extreme weather may have caused the disappearance of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine during their historic 1924 Everest expedition. Researchers analyzed newly uncovered historical data, including barometric pressure measurements, to conclude that a very intense storm likely contributed to their death.
A study of 156 foster care children found that those participating in a mentoring and skill-building program had fewer mental health problems six months after the intervention. The treatment group also reported better quality of life and lower symptoms of dissociation.
Ancient corals consisted of mostly separate sexes and required a brooding period to evolve into spawning hermaphrodites. The evolutionary origins of coral sex are complex, likely related to the challenges of shallow tropical reefs.
A new solar energy conversion process called photon enhanced thermionic emission (PETE) has the potential to surpass existing photovoltaic and thermal conversion technologies. The process excels at higher temperatures, making it ideal for use in solar concentrators.
A recent study found that hungry children are more likely to experience poor health, with repeated episodes of hunger being particularly toxic. The association holds even after adjusting for other factors such as low income and lack of home ownership, highlighting the need for policy interventions to address food insecurity.
Scientists at Cornell University have discovered a new catalyst that could make fuel cells more stable and conk-out free, using platinum nanoparticles on titanium oxide with added tungsten. The material is more stable and less expensive than pure platinum, allowing it to work with hydrogen fuels containing up to 2% carbon monoxide.
Patients with severe heart failure who request withdrawal of ventricular assist device (VAD) support have the right to do so, according to Mayo Clinic investigators. The VAD is a long-term treatment option for patients with severe heart failure, but some experience complications that lead them to request its removal.
A University of Houston researcher is using a vacuum device to study the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on insects and spiders in salt marshes along the Gulf Coast. The goal is to understand how the food web is structured and affected by the oil spill.
Researchers will focus on exploring chemical processes that enable the spontaneous formation of functional polymers, such as proteins and DNA. The five-year grant will support research in over 15 laboratories at top institutions, aiming to understand the chemistry behind life's origins.
A new study found that higher body weight is significantly linked to reduced risk of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) in postmenopausal women, but not in men. Severe myopia may be predicted by a specific map that identifies patients at risk of vision loss.
A single ketamine dose significantly reduces depressive symptoms within 40 minutes in patients with bipolar disorder who have not responded to other treatments. Approximately 71% of participants experienced a response to ketamine, highlighting its potential as a rapid-acting therapy for treatment-resistant bipolar depression.
Indiana University has been awarded $9.2 million from the National Science Foundation to lead two high-speed international network services: TransPAC3 and ACE. These connections will facilitate direct U.S.-Asia research interactions and provide significant economies of scale in trans-Atlantic connectivity.
Researchers at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus discover bone marrow progenitor-derived adipocytes, a new type of fat cell that poses health threats. The discovery may help explain the link between obesity and heart disease.
A team of 300 scientists and students from 14 countries drilled over 1.5 miles into the North Greenland ice sheet, recovering ice from the Eemian interglacial period. The cores will provide crucial information on past temperatures and greenhouse gas concentrations, helping to predict future climate change.
Researchers have created a material for bone grafts that attracts stem cells and growth factors to promote bone regrowth and integration. The synthetic graft heals similarly to natural bone implants in animal tests, suggesting potential as a replacement for traditional grafts.
A sociological study found that state tax credit programs can reduce the incidence of low-birth-weight babies and help break cycles of childhood poor health. The study also suggests that these programs can improve prenatal health, higher birth weights, and reduced maternal smoking.
A recent study led by University of Georgia biogeochemist Wei-Jun Cai found that the Canada Basin's potential as a carbon dioxide sink is short-lived and minor. The research indicates that the waters become acidic and unsuitable for calcium-carbonate shell-bearing marine organisms due to rapid CO2 uptake.
Researchers at MIT create a material that exhibits 'retrograde melting' at lower temperatures than normal, allowing for potentially cheaper production of solar cells and other devices. The discovery enables the creation of liquid droplets to purify silicon and could lead to new methods for making arrays of silicon nanowires.
A new study found that a gene variant may increase the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, with those having the AA genotype experiencing earlier relapses and increased disease activity. The GG genotype was associated with less disease activity and fewer relapses.
A non-human primate study generated antibodies capable of neutralizing diverse strains of HIV-1. The research found that methods to boost neutralizing antibody abundance in rectal and vaginal tissues are needed to prevent HIV-1 transmission.
A study by Yale researchers found that a high-fat diet influences the brain's development, making some individuals more prone to obesity and others resistant. The study suggests that genetic and environmental factors, particularly maternal impact on the developing brain, play a critical role in determining vulnerability to obesity.
A 20-year study found that young adults with even modestly elevated cholesterol levels are more likely to develop coronary artery calcium and atherosclerosis. Cholesterol levels found in the majority of young adults in their 20s and 30s are associated with damage to coronary arteries, which can accumulate over time.
Research found that adults diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 50 or later had better disease outcomes, including higher remission rates, compared to those diagnosed earlier in life. The study suggests changes in the aging immune system and environmental factors like smoking may contribute to this phenomenon.
A study by University of Nottingham researcher found that patients' coping styles and depression levels impact the healing process. Confrontational coping was linked to slower healing, while clinical depression resulted in reduced improvement.
Researchers have demonstrated the use of iron oxide nanoparticles to deliver antibodies to implanted brain tumors, enhancing tumor visibility via MRI while killing cancer cells. The particles also show potential for targeted therapy against glioblastoma multiforme, a common and aggressive primary brain tumor.
Scientists have obtained the closest look yet at how a gargantuan molecular machine breaks down unwanted proteins in cells, a critical housekeeping chore that helps prevent diseases such as cancer. The research provides valuable clues on how the enzyme, tripeptidyl peptidase II, keeps cells tidy and disease-free.
Researchers developed an alphavirus vector to overcome neutralizing antibodies and induce immune responses in humans with advanced cancer. Genetic mutations determined breast cancer subtype by influencing Rb gene expression.
A study suggests that chronic sleep restriction can have lasting effects on neurobehavioral deficits, even with adequate recovery sleep. Researchers found that participants who experienced severe sleep restriction showed persistent impairments in attention and reaction times after a single night of extended sleep.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method called beam-pen lithography, which uses tiny beams of light to draw patterns on surfaces. This technology offers a means to rapidly and inexpensively make and prototype circuits, optoelectronics, and medical diagnostics.
Professor Varda Shoshan-Barmatz has developed a peptide that targets and kills cancer cells while sparing normal cells. The grant will be used to develop therapeutic peptides for B-CLL, one of the most common and incurable hematological malignancies.
Researchers found that short-snouted dog breeds have rotating brains up to 15 degrees, while the olfactory lobe has relocated, affecting smell perception. The study highlights unique plasticity in the canine genome due to human intervention through breeding.
A new study has found that male infants are easier to arouse from sleep than female infants at 2-4 weeks of age, but this difference resolves by 2-3 months. The study suggests that the increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in males may not be due to differences in arousability.
The researchers created a library of micromolded, hexagonally spaced elastomeric micropost arrays to study the effects of substrate flexibility on stem cell development and adhesion. The system allowed them to modulate the rigidity and flexibility of the substrate surface without changing its adhesive properties.
Research suggests that both short and long sleep durations are independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Adults who sleep less than seven hours per day or more than nine hours per night have a higher risk of heart problems compared to those who get average sleep duration.
Researchers identify an ancient gene family regulating nerve excitability in the brain, which may contribute to epileptic seizures. Studies on mice suggest that activating this potassium channel can block seizures, opening up potential new drug targets with fewer side effects.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered how protein Mec1 acts as a 'guardian of the genome' in yeast cells. The study shows that Mec1 monitors and repairs machinery responsible for replicating DNA, allowing it to restart and continue replicating.
Two studies found that US adults who used nutritional labels consumed healthier nutrients, with significant differences in calorie and fat intake. A pilot study also showed that point-of-purchase nutrition information influenced college students' purchasing behaviors, promoting the sale of healthful food items.
Stem cell differentiation is a crucial process that can be accelerated using a novel type of matrix, adjusting its stiffness without altering its chemical composition. By analyzing traction forces and cellular behavior, researchers predict stem cell differentiation as early as Day 1.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine identify microRNA miR-132 as the 'gas pedal' controlling uncontrolled blood vessel growth. They develop an anti-miR therapy to restore functionality to the 'brake,' halting disease progression in mouse models of cancer and retinal disorders.
Researchers at University of Rochester developed a unique light-controlled membrane that can block gas flow when ultraviolet light is applied and allow it to flow when purple light is used. This innovation has potential applications in controlled drug delivery and industrial processing tasks.
Scientists used genome mining to discover a novel antibiotic in Streptomyces coelicolor, effective against several bacterial strains. The approach also unlocks potential for discovering new antimicrobials and antitumor agents from other micro-organisms.