A study published in Education found that Transcendental Meditation improved math and English academic achievement in low-performing students. Meditating students showed significant increases in scale scores and performance level scores compared to non-meditating controls.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a single, stationary lens to create 3D images of microscopic objects from nine different angles. The freeform lens, made from thermoplastic material, enables miniaturized products with reduced equipment needs and improved precision.
A new study reveals that people who experience flooding are more likely to perceive climate change as a pressing issue and take action to reduce their energy use. The research found that direct experience of extreme weather events can increase concern about climate change and willingness to engage in energy-saving behavior.
New research suggests that ancient trash mounds, or middens, left behind by prehistoric humans may be responsible for the formation of tree islands in the Florida Everglades. These elevated areas allowed trees to grow and provided a habitat for wildlife. Human disturbance is now threatening the existence of these unique ecosystems.
Jason Julian, a University of Oklahoma geography professor, has been awarded a Fulbright fellowship to research the impact of land use changes on optical water quality in New Zealand rivers. His study will explore connections between landscape characteristics, land use, and water clarity over the past 20 years.
A new study found that primary care doctors are less likely to refer short girls for diagnostic testing compared to boys, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment. Girls with growth faltering may go undiagnosed or be diagnosed later than boys, particularly those with Turner syndrome, a genetic condition that affects height.
Researchers at WashU Medicine successfully grew and manipulated human intestinal microbes, identifying new probiotics and exploring microbe transplants as a treatment for obesity and diseases. The study provides a pipeline for manipulating diverse microbial communities from people of different ages and cultures.
Researchers examine if lowering blood pressure reduces kidney disease progression in a federally funded study. About half of the 100 patients will have their systolic pressure below 120 to measure its impact.
Researchers have developed a new battery structure that allows for faster charging and discharging without sacrificing energy storage capacity. This innovation could enable phones to charge in seconds and laptops to charge in minutes, while also improving performance in electric vehicles and medical devices.
Researchers found that fish exposed to speargun fishing are wary and keep their distance, fleeing earlier than those in protected zones. In some cases, the flight distance increased by 2.6 meters, putting them beyond spear range.
A new study finds that ethnicity, depression, lack of exercise and social support are major risk factors for CFS. Moderate exercise halves the risk, while social status and cultural background play a significant role.
The IOF-AMGEN/GSK Health Professionals Awareness Grants aim to improve knowledge of osteoporosis among clinicians and allied health professionals. The three grants support innovative projects by IOF member societies that focus on improving knowledge and diagnosis of osteoporosis.
A new synchrotron-based imaging technique provides high-resolution pictures of tissue molecular composition with unprecedented speed and quality. The IRENI facility cuts imaging time from hours to minutes while quadrupling sample size range, revealing detailed structure and chemistry.
Researchers found that levels of five amino acids, including isoleucine and leucine, can signal future disease risk and indicate candidates for preventive measures. The study used metabolite measurements to identify individuals at elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have created an organic nanoparticle that uses sound and heat to target tumors, offering a promising new approach to cancer treatment. The nanoparticle's ability to absorb light and accumulate in tumors makes it ideal for photothermal therapy.
Tiny LNA-based compounds developed by Santaris Pharma A/S successfully inhibit entire microRNA families, targeting cancer, viral infections, and cardiovascular diseases. The high affinity and target specificity of these compounds enable functional inhibition without off-target effects.
Researchers discovered a novel regulatory role for lincRNA in determining cell protein selection and identity. The study identifies HOTTIP as a molecule that marks key genes as 'open for business,' allowing cells to maintain their characteristic patterns.
A new study by Cardiff University and Ipsos-MORI found that direct experience of extreme weather events like flooding can significantly affect people's perceptions of climate change. As a result, individuals who have experienced flooding are more prepared to take personal action and reduce their energy use.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered that mutant prions can aid cells in overcoming harmful protein misfolding, a process thought to be catastrophic. The findings suggest that targeted interventions at various stages of the misfolding process can enable cells to overcome the problem.
Biologists from University of Texas at Austin suggest focusing on interactions between climate change and human activities like air pollution, invasive species, and habitat fragmentation. Local factors like host plant competition and water pollution are critical in understanding species decline.
A study of nearly 800 severely mentally ill patients found two-thirds were overweight or obese, and a disproportionate number suffered from diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and raised cholesterol. Life expectancy for these patients is reduced by up to 25 years, with cardiovascular disease being the major cause of death.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found a cascade of signaling molecules that allow brief signals to last for tens of minutes, forming stronger connections in the brain. This discovery could lead to new insights into diseases like Alzheimer's and autism.
A large randomized trial found that preventive antibiotic use significantly reduces the risk of infection with highly resistant microorganisms in intensive care patients. Patients treated with selective digestive tract decontamination (SDD) were 59% less likely to develop bacteraemia and 38% less likely to colonize respiratory tracts.
The Association 'Women without Osteoporosis' of Bulgaria has received the 2011 IOF Linda Edwards Memorial Award for its outstanding campaigns to increase awareness, prevention, and treatment of osteoporosis. The award recognizes the organization's efforts to improve care for patients and its dedication to raising osteoporosis awareness.
Research reveals that Red Nose Day's success lies in its ability to harness public enthusiasm, but major appeals do not contribute to long-term charity giving. Household donations have increased over the past two decades, with 28% of households donating in 2008 compared to 32% in 1978.
Researchers developed biodegradable tooth-binding micelles that effectively bind to teeth and inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans, a primary cause of tooth decay. These micelles showed promising results in reducing biofilm formation on hydroxyapatite particles.
Researchers compared two pulp extraction techniques on dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) quality and quantity. The study found that the second technique resulted in higher stem cell integrity, growth rate, and quality, while also improving quantity.
The Government of Canada has announced a breakthrough in producing an affordable and reliable malaria treatment, expected to treat 200 million cases and prevent over one million deaths annually. The new technology is the result of a public-private partnership led by OneWorld Health and will be made available on a not-for-profit basis.
Researchers have revealed a new single-stage method for recharging the hydrogen storage compound ammonia borane, enabling the potential use of hydrogen in vehicles. This breakthrough could reduce the expense and complexity of the recycle stage, making hydrogen a more attractive fuel option.
Researchers have discovered a unique antibody from llamas that can interfere with the toxins produced by Clostridium difficile, a health problem affecting hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide. This discovery promises to provide a much-needed alternative treatment option for this increasing healthcare problem.
Researchers identified a protein called EspC that triggers a stronger immune response in people infected with TB bacteria, making it a promising new vaccine candidate. The protein could also be used to improve diagnosis of TB and underpin next-generation diagnostic blood tests.
Mouse brains compensate for disrupted neural functioning by enabling existing neurons to be more active and increasing their lifespan. The findings provide new insight into the brain's plasticity and its ability to reroute neural functioning.
Researchers developed SIMBAS, a self-powered chip that can analyze whole blood samples without external components. The device captures blood cells and separates plasma using gravity-driven flow, enabling disease diagnosis within minutes.
A new study found that biochar can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions from intensive grazing systems. The research, conducted in New Zealand, showed a 70% decrease in nitrous oxide fluxes when biochar was added to the soil. This effect was attributed to reduced ammonia formation and its adsorption onto biochar.
Physicists at UCLA found that dividing space into discrete locations like a chessboard explains how point-like electrons manage to carry their intrinsic angular momentum. This concept, inspired by graphene's electronic properties, proposes that space at very small distances is segmented, rather than smooth.
Philanthropists Foster and Lynn Friess are tripling-match donations up to $100,000 for TGen's unTEAL a cure event. The total raised will support groundbreaking research on ovarian cancer cases.
A new study conducted in Eldoret, Kenya found that computer-generated reminders about overdue tests yielded a nearly 50% increase in the appropriate ordering of CD4 blood tests. This improvement in quality of care was made possible through the implementation of just-in-time clinician support within electronic medical records.
Dr. Werner Mueller, a Springer editor and professor at Mainz University, has won the European Research Council's ERC Advanced Grant for his work on biosilicate research. His goal is to develop biological supporting structures made of biosilicates that can produce bone tissue in humans.
The study found delays or advances of up to a week between pollen release and flowering period for certain species, likely caused by resuspension of grains. This understanding can help draw precise pollen prognoses for people with allergies.
Rebeiz aims to understand how regulatory switches change to produce evolutionary novelties, such as the horn on a beetle or the eyespots on a butterfly's wings. His research could apply to human genetics, helping to better understand how genetic alterations lead to disease and deformities.
A study published in Neurology has found that children with a specific gene variation are at higher risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis. The research identifies the HLA-DRB1 allele as a key factor in pediatric-onset MS, which can provide insights into disease causes and potentially lead to earlier diagnoses and new therapies.
Researchers found that acetylation regulates DNA maintenance, favoring protection of genetic information. This discovery may lead to interventions enhancing the body's natural preservation of genetic info, potentially delaying aging-related diseases.
Cognitive impairment in liver disease patients may not be fully reversible and can affect driving safety. Doctors are advised to carefully evaluate cirrhotic patients for hepatic encephalopathy and address driving issues with them.
Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have successfully produced controlled strong interactions between two fermionic elements, exhibiting analogies to the Big Bang's primordial substance. The experiment opens new avenues for investigating cosmic phenomena and novel states of matter in solid-state physics.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have enhanced spontaneous magnetization in special versions of bismuth ferrite, creating a stable nanoscale mixture of rhombohedral and tetragonal phases. This allows for electric control of magnetization at room temperature, opening the door to spintronic devices.
A team of researchers has identified a phenomenon known as 'cotransmission,' where brain neurons use two different methods of communication to exchange information. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind brain diseases such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's, and depression.
Scientists from the University of Oxford developed a new strategy to combat antibiotic resistance by increasing the biological cost of resistant bacteria. The approach aims to reduce the competitiveness of drug-resistant strains and prolong the effectiveness of existing antibiotics.
A study in Indianapolis found that increasing urbanization has led to the loss of native plant species and the introduction of non-native invasive species. Over 70 years, Indianapolis's native plants have declined at a rate of 2.4 species per year, while non-natives arrive at a rate of 1.4 species per year.
Researchers at Lund University found that terms describing male and female traits in animal sexual conflicts vary, with males often described in active terms and females in passive ones. This bias can lead to incorrect interpretations of results.
The Chicago Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Prevention Epicenter (CARPE) program aims to reduce healthcare-associated infections, antibiotic resistance and other adverse events. Researchers will use data from electronic health records to develop practice guidelines and policies to control antibiotic use.
A research team at the University of Pittsburgh is re-engineering the US power grid to deliver electricity from power plants to homes and businesses more efficiently. The goal is to tap into renewable resources like solar and wind power by reducing energy loss and increasing capacity.
Experts have difficulty recalling product features, especially when explaining their logic, according to a study. Novices do not have prior knowledge that can confuse actual recall with other information stored in memory. As a result, novices may outperform experts in product comparisons.
Research reveals vitamin A's dual role in immune response, producing regulatory T cells to dampen inflammation while stimulating pro-inflammatory responses to combat infection. The study highlights the importance of nutritional status in regulating the immune system.
Researchers propose engineered virus-like particles that can subdue HIV infection in individuals and spread to high-risk populations, potentially lowering the prevalence of infection. The treatment could be used in conjunction with current antiretroviral therapies or vaccine campaigns.
Green rust, a type of clay, has been found to effectively capture and contain neptunium, a radioactive waste product that poses a serious health risk. The discovery offers new insights into the disposal of radioactive waste and could lead to safer storage solutions.
A new study found that consumers' predicted consumption time is influenced by their assessment of the experience and its representation. Breaking down pleasurable events into subactivities increases expected time spent, while unpacking unpleasant events decreases it.
Researchers isolated an enzyme from Arabidopsis thaliana that catalyzes glucosinolate formation and found it resembles an enzyme involved in leucine synthesis. This structural similarity enabled the plant to produce toxic compounds as a defense mechanism, highlighting the importance of small genetic changes in evolutionary adaptations.
Researchers validated three salivary mRNA biomarkers (B2M, GIP2, MNDA) and three protein biomarkers (B2M, SSA, SSB) for detecting Sjogren's syndrome in the US population, expanding clinical utility of existing biomarkers.
The company's lead drug candidate, omecamtiv mecarbil, directly activates cardiac myosin, increasing cardiac function without changing contraction rates. This novel mechanism may provide a new therapeutic strategy for improving cardiac performance in patients with systolic heart failure.
Researchers found that asking participants to predict their future behavior breaks their habits, but this only works for behaviors with strong personal goals. For behaviors without personal norms, predicting the past behavior reinforces existing habits.