A review of 19 studies on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in maternity care found diverse attitudes among healthcare professionals. While many have a positive view of CAM, there is a need for formal evidence-based education and guidance on its use.
Scientists have developed a new high-performance lithium-ion battery that stores large amounts of energy in a small space, making it suitable for powering electric vehicles. The innovative battery has a high rate capacity, enabling it to provide current even in extreme temperatures.
Researchers discover that bacteria associated with mosses on tree branches are essential for nutrient dynamics, enabling the long-term productivity of coastal temperate rainforests. The study highlights the importance of preserving large old-growth trees to maintain these forests' health.
Researchers found that hand-raised wolves can follow a gaze around an obstacle, indicating a more cognitively advanced task than previously observed. The wolves' ability to detour an obstacle suggests that gaze following is not exclusive to primates and corvids.
A new study from the University of Montreal found that a short burst of oral steroids may temporarily depress the immune system in children with asthma, leading to reduced antibody production. However, this effect is considered transient and rare, occurring only when exposed to new antigens during an asthma attack.
A University of Minnesota researcher discovered that negative stereotyping can cause consumers to avoid purchases, fearing being duped. Introducing calming scents like vanilla into the transaction environment can mitigate this effect and improve purchasing intentions.
Physicists at NIST successfully coupled two beryllium ions, exchanging quanta and demonstrating linked motion. The technique has the potential to simplify information processing in future quantum computers and simulations.
A large proportion of Asians are underweight, but research found that those with a BMI in the range of 22.6 to 27.5 had the lowest risk of death, while severely underweight individuals were more than twice as likely to die.
Researchers describe the mechanism of blockade and reactivation in molecular detail, revealing TFIIS's role in facilitating mRNA excision. This process is essential for cell survival and regulates gene activity in stem and tumor cells.
A study by the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital found that the hemoglobin A1c test is not as reliable for diagnosing diabetes in children as it is for adults, potentially leading to missed cases. The authors suggest using a fasting plasma glucose test instead.
A study found that bunion deformity progressively reduces health-related quality of life (HRQOL), affecting general and foot-specific well-being. Hallux valgus severity is linked to increased impairment and lower scores in pain and function subscales.
McGill researchers develop a cheap, portable paper-based filter to produce clean drinking water in emergency situations. The filter, coated with silver nanoparticles, is able to kill nearly all bacteria and produce water that meets EPA standards.
Stevens researchers create reliable nano-actuators that can benefit diverse applications, including biomaterials and nano robots. The precise arrangement of nanowires is crucial for practical applications, but current techniques face limitations.
A recent special issue of Neuron examines the complexities of addiction research, highlighting genetic vulnerability, neuronal transmission, and behavioral treatments. The study reveals profound changes in behavior and suggests that therapeutic strategies should focus on reversing cognitive deficits.
A USGS report found that 68 percent of beaches in the region are eroding at an average rate of 1.6 feet per year. The study used historical data to assess coastal change over 150 years and provides valuable information for managing the impacts of sea-level rise.
A study by Rimma Teper and colleagues found that people's predicted moral actions don't always align with their actual behavior. The researchers discovered that emotions play a crucial role in driving moral decisions, particularly when individuals are contemplating their actions rather than facing the consequences of those actions.
Researchers at UC Berkeley found that practitioners of Vipassana or mindfulness meditation have a stronger mind-body connection than professional ballet and modern dancers. This discovery sheds new light on the mystery of the mind-body connection, which has been linked to various medical and psychiatric diseases.
A team of researchers from Kent State University has studied the history of drought in the Pacific Northwest over the past 6,000 years. They used sediment records and tree-ring data to find that drought duration increased in response to decadal oscillations driven by marine processes.
Solar panel manufacturers are transitioning towards more environmentally friendly manufacturing processes to replace toxic materials with eco-friendly alternatives. The goal is to ensure that photovoltaics not only produce renewable energy but are also renewably produced.
A new long-acting local anesthetic, neosaxitoxin, has been shown to significantly reduce postoperative pain and speed up recovery in surgical patients. The compound, derived from algae, provides local anesthesia for more than 24 hours, potentially eliminating the need for opioid analgesics.
Researchers at NIST have developed a precise method to shape and position quantum dots, enabling them to emit individual photons. This breakthrough has significant implications for powering new types of devices in quantum communications.
A Stanford study reveals how metaphors influence attitudes towards crime, finding that 'beast' and 'virus' framings lead to different proposed solutions. The researchers found that people are more likely to support increased policing if crime is described as a 'beast', while social reform approaches are favored when crime is seen as a ...
Iowa State researchers have identified and described two parts of the three-part system that pumps toxins from bacteria and allows them to resist antibiotics. The discoveries provide novel insights into how the transporter functions and could lead to ways to block its activity, heightening bacteria's sensitivity to antibiotics.
The Wellcome Image Awards 2011 highlight the diversity of images available through the Wellcome Library's image repository. The winners use various techniques to capture the wonder of medicine and the life sciences.
The study completes the film frame of transporters' conformations, enabling understanding of diseases like cistinuria and design of drugs targeting cancer cells. New knowledge will help design inhibitors to affect amino acid uptake by cancer cells.
Researchers have identified a genetic variation linked to bipolar disorder, suggesting that Piccolo contributes to the condition. The study used postmortem tissue and genome-wide association studies to find this link.
A Rice University lab has created a technique to disperse single-walled carbon nanotubes in water using ruthenium complexes, keeping their unique properties intact. The new approach allows for the simultaneous addition of functionalities, advancing applications in imaging sensors, catalysis, and solar-activated hydrogen fuel cells.
A study published in The Lancet found that air pollution increases the risk of triggering a heart attack by 5%, while cocaine use increases the risk by 23 times. Air pollution poses a significant public health risk, with substantial decreases needed to meet WHO standards.
Scientists have discovered a new sauropod dinosaur, Brontomerus mcintoshi, with enormous thigh muscles and unique hip structure, suggesting it may have used its kick as defense against predators. The discovery challenges the previous idea that sauropods began to disappear in the Early Cretaceous period.
Researchers have found direct evidence of a superfluid state at the core of a neutron star using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory data. This discovery has important implications for understanding nuclear interactions in matter at high densities.
Children living on farms are significantly less likely to develop asthma than others due to exposure to a greater variety of microorganisms. The physiological mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear, but researchers have identified several species that may be responsible for the reduction in asthma risk.
A team of scientists at Karolinska Institutet has successfully created an illusion of having three arms by using a realistic prosthetic arm. Healthy volunteers were tested and found to experience a third arm as part of their body image, even when it was threatened with harm.
A study by UBC researchers found that US patients search for prescription drugs on government-run websites, while Canadians are directed to Wikipedia or industry-sponsored sites. The discrepancy highlights the importance of verifying online drug information.
Scientists at Emory Vaccine Center developed nanoparticles that mimic viruses to induce lifelong immunity in mice. The particles, made of biodegradable polymers, activate two different parts of the innate immune system and can be used with material from various bacteria or viruses.
Recent analysis by University of Maryland astronomer Stacy McGaugh confirms MOND's prediction for gas-rich galaxies, performing better than dark matter models. This finding raises new questions about the accuracy of the reigning cosmological model and the nature of gravity on small scales.
The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument on Glory will study short- and long-term fluctuations in the sun's energy output, influencing Earth's climate. A tiny CU-Boulder satellite, Hermes, also launched on Taurus XL, aims to improve communications systems in tiny satellites.
At least one dengue vaccine could be licensed within the next 4 years. Developing countries' national regulatory authorities (NRAs) have a crucial role in accelerating the licensure process when a new dengue vaccine becomes available.
A UC Irvine study reveals that activities like physical activity, nutrition, relationships, fun, and spirituality can significantly improve mental health. The study found that these therapeutic lifestyle changes can offer advantages over medications, including fewer side effects and complications.
A new analysis found that female scientists face sexism in award competitions, with women winning fewer research awards than men but more service and teaching awards. The study suggests that the selection process is biased against women, with committees favoring male-dominated language and stereotypes.
Women with prior breast cancer have lower sensitivity and specificity for detecting second cancers through mammography screening, which may lead to over- or under-diagnosis. Screening outcomes also depend on the treatment of the first cancer.
A study found that nitroglycerin ointment increased bone mineral density and decreased bone resorption in postmenopausal women. The researchers also observed increases in bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and decreases in urine N-telopeptide, markers of bone formation and resorption.
Scientists have designed a new type of nanoparticle that can deliver synthetic versions of proteins normally produced by viruses, eliciting a strong immune response comparable to live virus vaccines. The nanoparticles consist of concentric fatty spheres that can be used to develop vaccines against cancer and infectious diseases.
A Northwestern University study found that over one-third of paid caregivers struggled with reading and understanding health-related information, while 60% made errors when sorting medications. The study aims to develop standardized tests to evaluate caregiver skills and improve senior care.
Researchers designed nanoparticles by engineering the support structure, exposing stable crystal faces for enhanced selectivity and yield in catalytic reactions. The discovery could lead to better catalysts with a significant impact.
A blood test can accurately detect biomolecular markers of bladder cancer risk linked to environmental exposures like cigarette smoke and industrial pollutants. The test measures methylation patterns in immune system cells, which are associated with an increased likelihood of disease.
A recent review by Dr. Rany Shamloul reveals a potential link between cannabis use and negative impacts on male sexual health and performance. Cannabis may have an antagonizing effect on receptors in the penis, making it harder to achieve and maintain erections.
Millimeter-scale computing systems are being developed for medical applications, such as an implantable eye pressure monitor that tracks glaucoma progress. A compact radio with integrated antenna enables wireless sensor networks, allowing for tracking of pollution and structural integrity.
A significant decline in new cases of sleeping sickness has sparked renewed efforts to eliminate the disease as a public health problem. Recent literature highlights promising signs of progress, including leadership from the WHO and coordinated control activities in endemic countries.
A new free web-based tool calculates an individual's nitrogen footprint, measuring its impact on the environment and providing recommendations for reducing it. The tool aims to raise awareness about the nitrogen dilemma and encourage people to take action to mitigate its effects.
A study published in CMAJ found patients with COPD are at a greater risk of developing shingles compared to the general population. The risk is highest for those taking oral steroids to treat COPD.
Researchers found that the Stripe of Gennari develops in blind individuals from birth and remains intact, suggesting a role in processing tactile stimuli. This could contribute to improved Braille reading abilities and enhanced sense of touch.
A study published in the Annals of Surgery found that high-quality trauma hospitals have significantly lower death rates and spending compared to average-quality hospitals. The research suggests that achieving better quality may be less expensive in the long run, with fewer patient complications translating into cost savings.
A study by Michigan State University found that employees who fake smile for customer interactions worsen their mood and withdraw from work. In contrast, those who cultivate positive thoughts improve their mood and withdraw less. The study also showed gender differences, with women being more affected by fake smiling.
A cancer-causing retrovirus exploits key proteins in host cells to extend cell life and spread. The study found that the viral protein targets ATM and REG-gamma, leading to prolonged cell survival and increased virus transmission.
Researchers study Ohio STEM Learning Network's implementation, spread, and sustainability to understand how networks produce gains and apply innovative approaches to education. The study aims to identify effective components of networking needed to establish STEM schools and explore how these innovations are translated locally.
A study found that participants acted more morally than they predicted, with emotion playing a central role in moral behavior. The researchers suggest that people misjudge their emotional responses when considering moral dilemmas, leading to unexpected actions.
A recent study found that radiologists who interpret a high volume of mammograms are better at detecting non-malignant lesions, resulting in lower false-positive rates. However, the number of cancers detected did not increase with volume, suggesting that a balance between screening and diagnostic mammogram interpretation is key.
A secret online society is found to promote the pro-anorexia movement, using social networks to encourage self-loathing and thinness obsession. The study highlights the dangers of anonymity on the internet, allowing extreme views to be exchanged and potentially dangerous behaviors to co-construct.
A recent study found that racial and ethnic minority adolescents are less likely to receive treatment for major depression. The research analyzed data from over 7,700 adolescents aged 12-17 and found significant disparities in treatment rates across different racial/ethnic groups.
A USDA study found that ragweed pollen season in North America has increased by almost a month, correlating with seasonal warming shifts and climate change. The study supports the impact of climate change on public health and agriculture.