Researchers aim to combat diseases like zoonoses, transmitted from animals to humans, using models to predict and control outbreaks. Projects funded by $17M in US-UK collaboration will draw on biological and social sciences expertise.
The IADR/AADR published the proceedings of the 3rd AADR Fall Focused Symposium on Salivary Diagnostics, featuring scientific posters and invited speakers from leading institutions. The symposium explored cutting-edge technology and techniques in salivary diagnostics research.
The FASEB MARC Program has announced travel awards for the 2011 SACNAS Annual Meeting, aiming to increase diversity in biomedical research. Thirteen awards totaling $21,450 were given to poster presenters and faculty mentors supporting underrepresented minority students.
A new plant breeding approach developed at the University of California, Davis, could significantly improve crop yields and disease resistance for staple foods like cassava and banana. The method allows breeders to create hybrid seeds that carry DNA from only one parent, dramatically reducing the time required to develop new crops.
Researchers engineered a computer-designed yeast chromosome with an inducible evolution system, allowing them to rapidly introduce genetic changes. This allows for the custom design of organisms that can grow better in adverse environments or produce more ethanol.
The 2011 Science in Society Journalism Awards honored Maryn McKenna, Katy Butler, Barbara Moran, and Charles Homans for their critical reporting on MRSA, climate change, nuclear power, and more. The awards celebrate innovative work that considers the social effects of science.
A new genre of pasta made with barley is being developed, offering a potential solution for consumers seeking healthier alternatives. The barley spaghetti contains more fiber and antioxidant activity than traditional semolina-based spaghettis, making it a promising option for those looking to reduce their risk of heart disease.
Researchers describe a new 20-foot extinct species found in the same coal mine as Titanoboa, shedding light on the diversity of animals in the oldest known rainforest ecosystem. The discovery reveals that these ancient crocodile relatives competed with giant snakes for food and habitat.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that over 25% of women in the metro Detroit area have experienced ongoing vulvar pain, while only 2% sought treatment. The study sheds light on the demographics and characteristics of vulvodynia, a condition causing unexplained pain at the vagina's opening.
A recent study has reclassified cowpox virus into distinct species, challenging the long-held assumption of a single causative agent. The research also found that commercial smallpox vaccines are derived from central or eastern Europe, rather than Jenner's original English strain.
The ASPB Education Foundation has awarded $105,700 to four recipients to enhance the public's understanding of plant science. The grants support projects such as the Plants iView initiative, which aims to communicate plant science to a general audience, and the development of educational resources for K-12 education.
Two Wayne State University research groups will lead projects on reducing driver distraction and improving the safety of children, teens, seniors, and pedestrians. The Collaborative Safety Research Center will invest $50 million over five years to enhance vehicle safety.
The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants is set to undergo significant changes allowing scientists to publish new species discoveries entirely online. This shift aims to increase the efficiency and accessibility of scientific research in the digital age.
A small clinical trial suggests that cognitive bias modification (CBM) may be as effective as in-person therapy or drugs in treating social anxiety disorder. Participants showed significant improvements on a standardized measure of anxiety and public speaking task after completing two exercises twice a week for four weeks.
Researchers aim to determine optimal Vitamin C dosing schedule and test therapy in septic patients to moderate organ dysfunction and improve outcomes. A potential new treatment for sepsis may be on the horizon thanks to a significant grant.
The Division of Pain Medicine at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center received a 2011 Medical & Academic Partnerships Fellowship Award from Pfizer Inc. The Epilepsy Center also received an award for its nationally competitive research. The fellowships support patient-oriented research to improve healthcare outcomes.
A new mouse genetic blueprint accelerates human genetics research by identifying 56.7 million unique sites of variation associated with over 700 biological differences, including markers for diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
The Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) aims to develop innovative solutions for wastewater processing and greenhouse gas trapping. Led by Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the centre will harness the power of microbial biofilms to address environmental challenges.
A new study from Kennedy Krieger Institute found that preschoolers' ability to estimate quantities correlates with their mathematics achievement in elementary school. The research, published in PLoS ONE, suggests that early number skills may serve as a foundation for school-age math abilities.
A new diagnostic method using exome deep sequencing can identify genetic causes of hearing loss in under a week for under $500. This breakthrough technology has the potential to improve the quality of care for patients with hearing loss and lead to more effective treatments.
Researchers are working with major UK retailers to reduce bacterial infections in chickens and lower food poisoning cases. The study focuses on improving chicken welfare to combat Campylobacter infection, a leading cause of food poisoning.
Researchers created an artificial blood protein inspired by woolly mammoths' ability to conserve heat. The new hemoglobin can unload oxygen to tissues in cold conditions, making it suitable for use in hypothermia treatments during heart and brain surgeries.
A new study suggests that harboring overconfidence can be beneficial in various situations, including sports and business. The research reveals that accurate assessments are often outweighed by overconfident strategies when the rewards of conflict are high enough to justify the risks.
Joseph Kakande, a PhD student at the University of Southampton, has been selected as one of three Marconi Young Scholars for his groundbreaking research on all-optical signal processing. His work aims to develop novel methods for processing high spectral efficiency phase encoded optical signals using nonlinear fibre optic technologies.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found no association between sickle cell trait and risk of non-diabetic or diabetic end-stage kidney disease. The study contradicts earlier findings that suggested having one copy of the sickle cell gene increased kidney disease risk.
A recent study by University of Chicago Press Journals found that political debate can sometimes decrease the impact of subsequent ads. Researchers discovered that inducing supportive elaborations increased ad effectiveness, while counterarguing mindset decreased it. This suggests context plays a significant role in advertising efficacy
A new study analyzing over 3 million tweets, YouTube content, and blog posts finds that social media played a central role in the Arab Spring. Conversations about freedom and democracy were carried across international borders, inspiring stories of protest and organizing political action.
Researchers at UC Irvine discovered that the Milky Way's spiral arms are a result of an intergalactic collision course with a dwarf galaxy named Sagittarius. The force of the impact sent stars streaming from both galaxies into long loops, which were then swelled and tugged outward by the Milky Way's rotation.
The study estimates 1.6 million new breast cancer cases and 425,000 new cervical cancer cases worldwide in 2010. Most cases occurred in developing countries, with a significant increase in women of reproductive age diagnosed with the diseases.
Russian engineer Vladimir G. Shukhov invented a lattice design that supports structures with minimum materials while maintaining stability. The researchers are studying his works to identify previously unknown projects and raise awareness of their preservation.
Research finds racial differences in head and neck cancer disparities can be traced to access to care barriers, including insurance and socioeconomic factors. African Americans are more likely to receive radiation therapy and have worse five-year survival rates than Caucasians.
A campus smoking ban significantly reduced student smoking rates and altered attitudes toward smoking regulations over two years. The study found that the policy change also influenced students' norms and behaviors even with weak enforcement.
Geoscientists Kyle Nichols and Paul Bierman observed vast flooding in Namibia's western mountains and coastal plain. The rivers flowed for weeks, carrying sediment and leaving behind a landscape transformed by heavy rainfall. The researchers are studying the effects of mega-floods on erosion rates and sediment sources.
A group of international medical bodies urge doctors to take a lead in addressing alcohol misuse, citing 76 million people affected and a lack of global remediable action. The statement calls for governments to recognize and adopt health policies to reduce harm from alcohol.
A new study examining direct-to-consumer drug ads on TV aims to determine whether these ads educate patients and improve health or drive up sales. The researchers will analyze data from millions of patients using Nielsen Media Research and healthcare utilization data.
A new study found that people's 'no' responses can reveal hidden memories, suggesting everything we see may make its way into our memory
The XVIII International Botanical Congress approved sweeping changes to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, allowing e-publication and using Latin or English descriptions. These changes will take effect on January 1, 2012, and are being disseminated in five languages through leading academic journals.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that TV watching has a negative impact on parent-child communication and literacy. Maternal responsiveness plays a key role in child literacy and development, with mothers who read books with their children engaging in more active communication styles.
Researchers have discovered the fossil of a newborn nodosaur, the youngest known species, in Maryland. The discovery sheds light on the development of limbs and skulls early in a dinosaur's life, as well as dinosaur parenting and reproductive biology.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that a widely used pacemaker for heart failure works by raising regulator of G-protein-signaling proteins in the heart. This helps restore balance between two proteins, allowing the heart muscle to respond to hormones like adrenaline more effectively.
A Maine registered dietitian is speaking out against the proposed limitation of potatoes in school lunch programs, citing their nutritional value and low caloric contribution. According to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, French fried potatoes comprise only 1.5% of total daily calories consumed by Americans.
The number of sea turtles accidentally caught and killed in US fishing gear has declined by 90% since 1990, according to a new study. This drop is attributed to measures reducing bycatch in many fisheries and overall declines in US fishing activity, which have led to fewer turtle deaths annually, from over 300,000 to around 460.
Scientists found an antidepressant and antipsychotic that effectively combat prion infections in mice, potentially treating human prion diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The compounds also reduced disease symptoms and delayed symptom onset.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients with hepatitis C who received a telaprevir-based regimen for 24 weeks had a high cure rate. This suggests that extended treatment is unnecessary and may lead to better medication adherence and reduced side effects.
Researchers found that voting induces emotional arousal and raises cortisol levels, which can influence decision making. The study suggests a link between stress and voter turnout, particularly among those with unpopular candidates.
Researchers identified six critical mutations in Israeli Jewish and Palestinian Arab families using exome sequencing, revealing new insights into hereditary deafness. The study also found a specific TMC1 mutation associated with hearing loss in the Moroccan Jewish population.
The FASEB MARC Program has selected 18 poster/platform presenters and faculty mentors to receive travel awards totaling $29,700. This award promotes the entry of underrepresented minorities into the basic science community, with a focus on increasing diversity in biomedical research.
A new study by Keisha Cutright found that consumers who feel a lack of control over their lives seek tangible boundaries to restore order and structure. This includes aesthetic elements like frames around paintings or fences around yards, which provide a sense of comfort and control.
The Mars rover Opportunity is poised on a rock that may yield clues to the planet's environment when running rivers coursed the surface. The rover is sampling an impact crater produced during heavy bombardment, which could indicate conditions conducive to life.
A new study found that money reminders lead consumers to react against people who influence their decisions, boosting the importance of autonomy. Participants in three studies reacted oppositely when reminded of money compared to those not reminded, with money-reminded consumers responding more strongly to social influences
A comprehensive assessment of tropical forests found primary forests sustain the highest levels of biodiversity and are vital to many species. Human activities like logging and agricultural expansion have transformed most remaining primary forests, leaving little unaltered.
A study at University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that college students talk about hookups more than they actually engage in them, leading to a normalized view of the practice and riskier behavior. Students who frequently discuss hookups with peers are more likely to participate in casual sex.
A protein discovered by Dr. Suresh Alahari's laboratory can inhibit breast cancer cell growth and reduce tumor progression. The research found that Nischarin, a novel protein regulating breast cancer cell migration, acts as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer.
A Ghanaian PhD student has developed a new chemical analysis technique to determine the exact contents of drugs, helping to tackle uneven medicine quality and unauthorized drug sales in Africa. The technique will also be used for environmental investigations to combat antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments.
A new study reveals that consumers are influenced by people with lower socioeconomic status, particularly when they aspire to a desirable trait. The 'low status user effect' suggests that observing a person from a lower status group using a product can lead to interest and emulation among higher-status individuals.
Researchers found that telestroke, a two-way audio-video telemedicine system, is cost-effective for rural hospitals without around-the-clock neurologists. The study calculated the cost-effectiveness of telestroke by comparing costs and quality-adjusted life years of stroke patients treated with telestroke versus usual care.
A recent Harvard University study found that milk-drinking teens had a 43% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes as adults. The research also showed that maintaining dairy habits through adulthood can lead to less weight gain and a reduced risk of the disease.
Researchers at MIT have designed a tiny energy harvester that can generate 100 times the power of similar devices, making it a potential solution to the power constraint in wireless sensors. The device uses a single layer of PZT and responds to a wide range of low-frequency vibrations.
Researchers discovered that desert seed beetles use a strategy of stacking their eggs as shields against parasitic wasps. The beetles lay their eggs on seed pods, then stack multiple layers to protect them from the wasp species. This behavior prevents the wasp larvae from developing and allows the beetle offspring to survive.
Research finds that benzene and BTEX emissions remained dissolved in the Gulf of Mexico, posing a potential health risk to cleanup workers. However, other substances released by crude oil could become airborne, threatening worker health if inhaled.