Manufacturers are designing products with an end-of-life perspective, incorporating biodegradable materials and easy disassembly. This approach to product stewardship fosters take-back programs and recycling, reducing environmental pollution risks.
Researchers created a novel solution to generate high-quality schedules for MLB umpires, minimizing travel time and adhering to league rules. The method, developed in collaboration with experts from Carnegie Mellon University and Michigan State University, reduced the creation time from weeks to just a few days.
The American Psychological Association will feature public demonstrations of psychological science applications, including a device that enables 'seeing' with one's ears. The Science Showcase also includes an interactive home energy-use feedback system and a test to determine on-the-job fatigue associated with sleep loss.
Scientists have developed a battery-powered skin patch that can deliver medication for peripheral artery disease (PAD) and healing stubborn skin ulcers and burns. The patch uses transdermal iontophoresis to deliver fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), larger proteins that were previously ineffective when given by mouth or injected, result...
A new strain of bacteria infecting humans with ehrlichiosis has been found in Wisconsin and Minnesota, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The discovery highlights the importance of testing for tick-borne diseases in these states.
A study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that 25% of people hospitalized for depression in Ontario needed emergency care or were readmitted within 30 days. The research highlights the need for better integration of care and transition planning for patients with mental illness.
A study found that a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids and methyl nutrients may reduce the risk of breast cancer in female offspring. Researchers also discovered that supplementing a mother's diet with lipotropic nutrients during pregnancy may induce epigenetic changes, altering gene expression permanently.
The Geological Society of America recognizes Paul F. Hoffman, Susan L. Brantley, Jasper A. Vrugt, Naomi E. Levin, A. Wesley Ward, Scott F. Burns, Richard C. Berg, and Brendan Murphy for their exceptional contributions to geology, hydrogeology, paleoclimate, and public service.
University of Guam scientist Dr. Gadi V.P. Reddy is developing an integrated control strategy to manage sweetpotato weevil populations using pheromone traps and lethal fungi, eliminating toxic pesticides.
The World Health Organization has released updated guidelines for managing drug-resistant tuberculosis, highlighting the need for more research to improve disease management. Key recommendations include wider use of rapid drug susceptibility testing and ambulatory models of care.
A six-month study in Kenya found that daily text-message reminders improved correct malaria treatment management by 23.7%, with significant effects on patient adherence to medication. The intervention is cheap and can be scaled up nationally, making it a promising low-cost strategy for improving health worker performance.
A comprehensive review article found that positive activity interventions (PAIs) may offer hope to individuals with depressive disorders who do not respond to medical therapy. PAIs, such as counting blessings and practicing optimism, teach patients ways to increase their positive cognitions and emotions without professional help.
A recent NIH study found that ATGAM significantly improved blood cell counts and survival rates for patients with severe aplastic anemia compared to Thymoglobulin. The study enrolled 120 patients and showed improved outcomes after six months, with 96% of ATGAM patients surviving after three years.
A Wayne State University researcher has received a $475,000 grant to develop graphene-based neural implants that could improve the quality of life for millions. The technology aims to overcome limitations of current implantable devices by using a flexible material and biodegradable backing.
Research presented at the Era of Hope conference explores genes that contribute to breast cancer risk in African Americans and the possibility of mitigating it through vitamin D intake. Additionally, studies examine how daughters of BRCA mutation carriers manage their own risk of breast cancer.
Researchers are studying biomarkers in the blood of TBI patients to improve diagnosis and treatment. The study aims to validate biomarkers as predictors of clinical outcome and evaluate the relationship between progesterone treatment and biomarker levels.
23andMe's Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) research initiative aims to recruit 1,000 individuals with these rare blood cancers to participate in genetic analysis and online discussions. The program will advance research and create a community for those affected by MPNs.
A new study shows natural killer cells can contribute to HIV immune response, suggesting an additional cell type with anti-HIV activity. Researchers found that HIV strains infecting individuals with specific NK cell receptors had variant forms of viral proteins, implying the virus mutates to avoid NK cell activity.
A study funded by the Wellcome Trust found that sending text message reminders to healthcare workers in rural Africa improved the implementation of national guidelines for treating malaria. The intervention resulted in a 25% improvement in health workers' practices, leading to more patients receiving accurate antimalarial treatment.
A study by USDA and university scientists found that higher CO2 levels can reverse the drying effects of predicted higher temperatures on semi-arid rangelands. This is because CO2 causes leaf stomatal pores to partly close, lessening water loss and increasing plant growth for warm-season grasses.
The ONR-funded Build A Bird app has been downloaded over 10,000 times a week, teaching players about flight dynamics and the Navy's commitment to K-12 STEM education. The app is part of a larger effort to engage underserved youth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Researchers from University College London and Imperial College London developed an algorithm to search for signatures of other universes in cosmic microwave background radiation. They found an observational upper limit on the number of bubble collision signatures, providing a test of the multiverse theory.
Researchers have discovered a compound that attacks cancer cells by depriving them of glucose, a process found in most rapidly dividing cells. The team tested the compound on kidney cancer cells and found it nearly halved glucose uptake and slowed tumor growth, with minimal side effects.
A study on human bellybutton microbiomes found diverse bacterial communities, similar to those on the skin, but also stable over time and between family members. The research used citizen science to collect and analyze 391 samples, shedding light on human health and environmental interactions.
Researchers found that combining six common quality assurance measures can prevent more than 90% of potential patient-harming incidents. A checklist of relatively low-tech measures and use of film-based radiation-dose measurements were key to safety.
Researchers used human hearts to replicate a mouse study on KATP ion channel drug targets, finding one target ineffective in humans. The findings underscore the importance of translating results from animal models to clinical trials in cardiovascular research.
Scientists have found a heat-detecting molecule called TRPV1 on the noses of vampire bats, which helps guide their bites to veins. This discovery highlights how small genetic changes can lead to major evolutionary adaptations.
A unique collection of onion varieties with enhanced disease resistance has been developed, providing crucial information for commercial growers and seed producers. This research will contribute significantly to global food security, particularly in situations where rising temperatures are an issue.
A new study provides a detailed account of the natural carbon cycle in agriculture, revealing that regions dependent on others for food release more carbon than they take in. The researchers developed a national crop carbon budget, finding that the crops absorb and return about 37% of the US's total annual carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers found that playing videogames allows people to try on different identities, reducing negative emotions and increasing motivation. The study suggests that games enable players to act as their ideal selves, leading to improved self-esteem and enjoyment.
Dr. Ray Semlitsch has been awarded the 2011 Fitch Award for Excellence in Herpetology for his groundbreaking research on amphibian ecology and wetland conservation. His studies have shown that tolerance to contaminants varies among species, and he established the importance of aquatic environments for semi-aquatic amphibians.
Researchers present novel approaches to breast cancer treatment, including reconstituted cholesterol as a drug delivery model and heat-activated peptide therapy. These methods aim to improve patient outcomes by reducing side effects and increasing targeted treatments.
Researchers at NIST and Texas A&M University developed a coating made of carbon nanofibers and polymers that significantly reduces flammability in polyurethane foam. The coating achieved reductions of up to 158 percent better than nonhalogen flame retardants and 1,138 percent better than halogen-phosphorous flame retardants.
A survey of 4,639 Virginia Tech students found that 15.4% experienced high levels of posttraumatic stress three to four months after the shootings. The study suggests that social relationships and anxiety about friend safety were key factors in symptoms of posttraumatic stress.
A new urine test uses a portable 'electronic nose' to detect tuberculosis (TB) by analyzing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in patient urine. The test shows promise as a fast and inexpensive diagnostic tool for TB, which affects millions worldwide.
The NSF has launched a national synthesis center, SESYNC, to develop solutions for pressing environmental issues. The center will bring together natural and social scientists to identify synergies and create effective, workable solutions.
North Carolina State University is leading a $25 million project to study human noroviruses across the food supply chain. The goal is to design effective control measures and reduce virus-caused food-borne illnesses, which affect over 5 million people in the US annually.
A multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Isidore Rigoutsos will investigate pyknon-marked non-coding RNAs in various diseases, including cancers, autoimmune disorders, and type-1 diabetes. The grant aims to uncover the functional relevance of these motifs and their role in human disease.
A new NOAA study shows that cutting emissions of non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases could slow changes in climate. By reducing emissions of these gases, warming influence could be diminished substantially within a couple of decades.
Breeding crops with deeper and bushier root systems could double the amount of carbon captured from the environment, potentially reducing CO2 levels. This approach could also improve soil structure and water retention while enhancing sustainable plant yields.
Kenneth Ferraro, a renowned sociologist and gerontologist, has been awarded the 2011 Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award by the Gerontological Society of America. He is recognized for his significant impact on fostering excellence in the field through mentoring and inspiring students and colleagues.
Scientists used ancient soil to measure prehistoric tree cover and found that grassy, tree-dotted savannas prevailed for over 6 million years in eastern Africa. This discovery contradicts previous theories suggesting a shift towards forested environments during human evolution.
Advances in nanotechnology are driving innovation in mass spectrometry instrumentation, enabling faster and more precise biomarker validation. Researchers have developed novel nanoflow separation methodologies that ramp up the speed and precision of validating biomarkers.
Researchers found opal-like crystals in a 2000 Canadian meteorite, suggesting conditions existed for their formation 4.6 billion years ago. The discovery implies magnetite colloidal crystals have promising potential as novel functional materials.
A new urine test can help identify men at high risk of clinically significant prostate cancer, potentially delaying or avoiding needle biopsies. The test supplements an elevated PSA screening result and combines genetic markers to predict cancer presence.
Researchers developed a method to predict which areas of the coronary arteries will develop more atherosclerotic plaque over time. The method calculates shear stress based on artery geometry and blood flow, identifying vulnerable plaque that is likely to cause a heart attack or stroke.
Mayo Clinic researchers are investigating why knee osteoarthritis disproportionately affects women. The study will analyze human tissues discarded during knee replacement surgery for possible biological differences in pain fibers and hormone receptors between female and male patients.
A UI biologist found that Candida albicans can form two types of biofilms: a traditional pathogenic one and a second sexual one. The discovery reveals that 90% of cells colonizing humans make resistant, non-sexually competent biofilms. A minority of cells form highly permeable and penetrable biofilms that support mating
A new study finds that large river discharges carrying nutrients contribute to increased phytoplankton blooms, which in turn lead to cholera outbreaks. The research analyzed data from four major river basins and suggests that predicting global warming's impact on cholera will be more complicated than initially thought.
Researchers at NIST discover that bacteria feeding on ethanol can boost fatigue crack growth rates by up to 25 times. The study highlights the importance of controlling bacterial growth during ethanol transport to prevent pipeline degradation.
Researchers have identified new genetic markers for patients at high risk for bone metastasis, which may provide additional targets for preventing and treating the disease. A novel vaccine for HER2+ breast cancer is also being developed to address a particularly aggressive form of the disease.
Researchers launch pioneering study to create human platelet cells from stem cells to study inherited blood clotting abnormalities and genetic variations affecting platelet function. The goal is to develop a new approach to generating blood cells for patients in need of chronic infusions.
A recent national survey found that many Americans hold incorrect beliefs about memory, diverging from scientific research. These misconceptions can impact legal proceedings and everyday life.
A new device, called 'Watermark ink,' can identify unknown liquids by exploiting their surface tension and changes in optical properties. The device, which fits in the palm of a hand, has potential applications in quality control tests, contaminant identification, and forensic analysis.
A new study suggests that a collision between the moon and a smaller companion moon could have formed the lunar farside highlands. The model proposes that the impact did not form a crater, but instead piled material onto one side, creating a mountainous region.
Researchers at NIST describe using tailored DNA strands to purify armchair carbon nanotubes, essential for 'quantum wires'. This breakthrough enables mass production of these nanotubes, promising 10x better conductivity and lower loss.
A review of five studies found that monitoring procalcitonin levels can guide the duration of antibiotic treatment, reducing courses by two days without affecting patient health. This could lead to significant cost savings for healthcare systems.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory identify Brd4 as a novel drug target for acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer. The new therapeutic agent, JQ1, shows remarkable anti-leukemia activity and minimal toxicity to non-cancerous cells.
Researchers found that coccolithophores form thinner calcite skeletons in acidic ocean water, with significant implications for marine ecosystems and the global carbon cycle. However, some coastal areas exhibit highly calcified species, suggesting potential adaptations to environmental changes.
The NTU-JTC I3 Centre will focus on four areas: reclamation & marine infrastructure, sustainable infrastructure, underground infrastructure, and infrastructure systems & materials. The Centre aims to attract top students and faculty to pursue projects and careers in industrial infrastructure.