A study published in American Journal of Infection Control found that MRSA screening in ICUs can be cost-effective and save hospitals money. The research estimated that the screening could result in savings of almost $500 per hospital admission under optimal assumptions.
Researchers discovered a direct link between Late Ordovician mass extinction and cooling climate, contradicting previous theories. They used new paleothermometer method to determine average temperatures during glacial periods, marking the first time overcoming ice-volume effect for ancient ocean analysis.
Researchers have found that cognitive training can improve working memory and reduce addiction by teaching individuals to think ahead. The study, published in Biological Psychiatry, used an approach borrowed from rehabilitation of stroke or traumatic brain injury patients.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill pinpointed Erk as crucial for nerve fiber insulation with myelin, allowing signals to be sent between brain and limbs. This discovery informs study of neurodevelopmental disorders like neurofibromatosis, where Schwann cells grow unregulated.
New research from the University of Copenhagen and Harvard University found that infants as young as 8 months old can recognize and respond to social dominance, using size cues to predict outcomes. This potentially instinctive knowledge suggests we may be born with an understanding of social hierarchy.
Multisystemic therapy (MST) is more effective and costs less than current approaches to juvenile crime treatment, according to a new study. The research, led by University of Missouri professor Charles Borduin, found that MST results in significant cost savings for taxpayers and crime victims.
The ESRC report 'Recovery Britain' examines challenges to the UK's economic recovery, including innovation, trade, finance for small businesses, management practices, and financial regulation. The report provides 20 key challenge areas and policy solutions.
A review of 93 wild and aquaculture fish populations found that regional variance affects reproduction, growth, and stress response in trout, salmon, charr, whitefishes, and graylings. The research highlights the importance of considering local adaptation when transplanting species to new habitats.
A UCLA study reveals HIV causes rapid aging in CD4+ T-cells, leading to accelerated aging and increased risk of age-related diseases. Researchers found that infected individuals exhibit premature telomere shortening, a hallmark of cellular aging.
A new study found that couples with shared childcare experience more conflict than those with the mother as primary caregiver. Fathers' involvement in play activities with their children, rather than caregiving duties, is associated with more supportive co-parenting relationships.
A recent study found that nearly 18% of patients are perceived as 'difficult' by their physicians, leading to lower satisfaction and trust. These difficult encounters also result in worsening symptoms two weeks after the consultation.
Cancer researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital discovered targeting the enzyme UROD can sensitize diseased tissue to radiation and chemotherapy, reducing side effects. Lower UROD levels before treatment are associated with improved clinical outcomes.
Researchers confirm waterhemp's first evolution of resistance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides, requiring a more integrated approach to management. The development of new options and changing practices are needed to combat the increasing threat of multiple-herbicide resistant weed populations.
A naturally occurring growth factor called IGF-II has been found to enhance retention and prevent forgetting of fear memories in rats. The study suggests that IGF-II could become a potential drug target for boosting memory, with the potential to address clinical problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
A new international research centre for telepresence and telecollaboration has been established with a $23m investment by NTU, ETH Zurich, and UNC-Chapel Hill. The BeingThere Centre aims to develop advanced communication technologies that will revolutionize human interaction in the 21st century.
The article discusses recent movements and past deformation in Central America, California, Turkey, and Canada. Key findings include the present rates and directions of movement between El Salvador and Nicaragua, as well as the role of low-angle normal faulting in active tectonics in the northern Owens Valley.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new method for rapidly prototyping nanoscale devices and structures, combining the benefits of scanning-probe lithography and polymer pen lithography. The technique, called hard-tip, soft-spring lithography, produces patterns with sub-50-nanometer resolution and scalability.
The February issue of Cold Spring Harbor Protocols features a method for quantitative proteomic profiling using laser capture microdissection and nanoscale liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Immunoimaging is also explored, with methods for studying immune system dynamics using two-photon microscopy.
The Hubble Space Telescope has detected a compact galaxy made of blue stars 480 million years after the Big Bang, providing best insights yet into the universe's birth and evolution.
A new study reveals complex molecular mechanisms associated with chronic stress and its link to depression. The research found that genetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, play a crucial role in determining susceptibility to depression.
A six-year study of 12,059 volunteers found that high intake of trans-fats increased the risk of depression by up to 48%, while polyunsaturated fats and olive oil were associated with a lower risk. The researchers suggest that diet may play a key role in both depression and cardiovascular disease.
A study found that US death certificates exhibit racial stereotyping, with discrepancies in racial classifications varying across the population. The researchers' review of 22,905 death certificates revealed patterns reflecting long-running stereotypes about violence and alcoholism.
A comprehensive NIH study found that cardiac arrests in public settings had a higher percentage of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, the types of abnormal heart rhythms treatable by electric shock. More than one-third of public cardiac arrests treated with an AED survived, compared to 12 percent at home.
Research reveals how Staphylococcus aureus bacteria adapt to evade the immune system and antibiotic treatments by forming small colony variants. These 'dormant forms' can persist within host cells for weeks, leading to relapsing infections.
The smart sensor system recognizes spatio-temporal patterns of perimeter intrusion by foot, fence, or vehicle to protect remote perimeters against unauthorized access. It actively raises alerts for fence climbing and human footsteps while ignoring typical visitor activity.
Scientists discovered that broccoli's cancer-fighting compounds target the p53 gene, which is often mutated in human cancers. Isothiocyanates from broccoli may remove the defective protein, leaving normal cells intact, paving the way for new cancer treatments.
Researchers have recorded a 0.15°C drop in subtropical Atlantic water temperature between 1998 and 2006, attributed to wind-induced circulation. This finding challenges climate change theories, highlighting the significance of ocean natural variability.
Scientists found that birds' hormone levels, particularly corticosterone and prolactin, play a crucial role in determining their reproductive success. Birds with low corticosterone values before breeding raised the most offspring, while those with high prolactin levels started laying eggs earlier and produced more offspring.
A recent study published in BMC Public Health found that wounded veterans are more likely to die from coronary heart disease due to war-time stress. The research, conducted by Dr. Seppo Nikkari and his team, surveyed 55-year-old Finnish WW2 veterans and found a significant correlation between physical trauma and an increased risk of CHD.
Researchers confirmed that citric acid reacts with sunlight to harvest energy and form purple-colored nanoparticles, a potential green energy source.
Scientists will launch two NASA sounding rockets to study the Whirlpool Galaxy and measure nitric oxide in the upper atmosphere. The launches are scheduled for January 26 and January 30, with researchers using ultraviolet instruments to capture images of distant galaxies and stars.
Massachusetts General Hospital researchers developed nanoparticles containing keratinocyte growth factor that accelerate wound healing in diabetic mice. The fusion protein retained wound-healing properties and efficiently delivered growth factors to deeper tissues.
Astronomers have found the most distant galaxy candidate yet seen, about 13.2 billion light-years away, in ultra-deep imaging data from the Hubble Space Telescope. The study reveals a rapid build-up of early galaxies around 480 million years after the Big Bang, with a tenfold increase in star birth rate over 170 million years.
New research suggests that hotter summers may slow down Greenland ice flow, contrary to previous fears. The internal drainage system of the ice sheet adapts to more melt-water, reducing ice speeds.
Researchers develop an innovative genetic strategy that transfers a bacterial gene into CD4+ T-cells, making them resistant to HIV infection. The MazF protein destroys gene transcripts, preventing protein synthesis and effectively blocking HIV replication.
Researchers recommend six key points for alternative-to-dismissal strategies to protect patient safety and encourage treatment. ATD programmes provide non-judgemental support and treatment that enables nurses to seek help and improve their chances of staying in the profession.
A new system developed by researchers at North Carolina State University utilizes hardware and software advances to restore an operating system if it is attacked. The system includes attack detection, security fault isolation, and recovery mechanisms to prevent attackers from gaining control of the OS.
Scientists have identified a 24-hour internal clock in red blood cells, which works independently of DNA and gene activity. This discovery sheds light on the ancient mechanism that controls daily and seasonal activities across all living organisms.
The study reveals that orangutan DNA is more diverse than humans, with a unique genetic stability that has remained unchanged for 15 million years. The researchers found deep diversity in both Bornean and Sumatran orangutans, which can aid conservation efforts and inform studies of human evolution.
USF researchers identified CD45 as a critical component in dampening harmful inflammation in the brain's immune response. The study found that a loss of CD45 led to increased microglial inflammation and neurotoxin accumulation in Alzheimer's mouse models.
A recent study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists found that a major component of the dispersant used in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill remained intact in an oil-gas-laden plume three months after application. The study's results raise questions about the potential toxic effects of deep-water residue on marine life and...
Tropical Storm Bianca intensified into a storm just off the northern coast of Western Australia, with NASA's TRMM satellite capturing moderate to heavy rainfall rates. The storm is expected to curve to the southeast and weaken as it enters cooler waters.
Researchers analyzed 40 years of safety training studies to find that highly interactive training is most effective for improving safe work behavior in hazardous jobs. Less engaging training can also be effective when the risk of death or injury is low, according to the American Psychological Association.
Researcher Sharyn Clough suggests that societal expectations of cleanliness may contribute to higher rates of allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disorders in adult women. By examining the impact of hygiene on health through a gender lens, Clough proposes new ways of understanding the 'hygiene hypothesis'.
A recent study found that low socioeconomic status is associated with higher rates of depressive symptoms in RA patients. Researchers analyzed data from 466 patients and found significant disparities in mental health outcomes between those with high and low SES.
Scientists have discovered a new group of sensory neurons in the mouse liver that mediate blood pressure regulation and metabolism. Drinking water triggers an elevation in blood pressure in sick and elderly people, and this effect is mediated by the TRPV4 ion channel.
UT Southwestern researchers found that eliminating glucagon action can restore glucose tolerance to normal in mice with type 1 diabetes. This suggests a potential 'cure' for the disease, as insulin would no longer be necessary.
Researchers at Florida State University and the University of Tennessee found that viewers are more tolerant of swearing on premium channels and cable than on broadcast channels. The study also discovered that sexually suggestive words are the most offensive, while mild language is less so.
The orangutan genome sequence provides unique insights into human evolution, revealing genetic similarities with a putative ancestral great ape. The study also highlights the importance of conserving genetic diversity in orangutan populations, particularly for the critically endangered Sumatran species.
Researchers found people on ships are steadier when focusing on the horizon, unlike on land where they sway more when gazing far away. This phenomenon may help differentiate between body movement and ship movement, potentially predicting motion sickness.
Researchers found a significant reduction in middle ear infection cases among children aged 6 and younger, associated with increased smoke-free households. The study suggests that avoiding secondhand smoking at home can protect children from the most common cause of visits to physicians and hospitals.
The study defines similarities and differences between the two populations, highlighting a neocentromere that appears in both populations. Orangutans have more genetic variation within themselves than humans, with less structural rearrangement in their genome.
Tropical Depression Anthony, weakened but still forecasted to strengthen, is moving west toward Queensland, Australia. The storm's convection is currently weak, but may change in the next 24-36 hours as it moves into a more favorable area.
A new Scripps Research study has mapped the dynamic changes in brain connectivity during development, revealing that connections are constantly forming and dissolving. The research highlights the importance of understanding these mechanisms to better comprehend conditions such as autism and schizophrenia.
Scientists have developed a new material consisting of copper-coated silica nanoparticles that can eliminate unpleasant odors. These nanoparticles are up to twice as effective as the current gold standard, activated carbon, in removing foul-smelling substances like ethyl mercaptan.
A study published in Nature Reviews: Microbiology examines the cellular mechanisms of microbial dormancy and its implications for ecosystems. Dormant microbes can have a significant impact on biodiversity, carbon emissions, and nutrient cycling, making them a key component of ecosystem resilience.
A recent study published in Genome Research found that certain regions of the human genome are more similar to those of orangutans than chimpanzees, contrary to previous assumptions. This suggests that humans and orangutans shared a common ancestor with high genetic diversity, while chimpanzees may have experienced a genetic bottleneck.
Researchers found DOSS, a dispersant ingredient, concentrated in deepwater plumes at depths up to three-quarters of a mile after the spill; it was detected over 200 miles from the well two months later. The study's findings are inconclusive on the effectiveness of dispersants in breaking up oil coming out of the wellhead.
Researchers have identified a complex brain navigation system in migrating monarch butterflies that integrates internal compass, sun compass, and skylight cues to guide their long-distance migrations. The study reveals the integration of seemingly contradictory signals into a consistent neural representation of the environment.
Researchers recorded neuron activity in adolescent rat brains during a reward-driven task, showing that teen brains react with erratic excitement above adult levels. This finding could explain why teenagers are more prone to rash behavior, addiction, and mental diseases.