A new study finds that intervening early can help young children develop language, with those placed in better care by 15 months showing language skills similar to biological parents. Early foster care intervention is also crucial for preventing severe language delays.
Tropical Depression 06W has developed near the Philippines with heavy rainfall detected by NASA's TRMM satellite. The storm is expected to intensify into a tropical storm, skirt the eastern coast of the Philippines and head toward Taiwan.
A study from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that two-parent families, regardless of gender or marital status, are crucial to children's social and academic success. The researchers found that couples who participated in a 16-week program reported higher satisfaction in their marriages and kids were doing better in school.
A new study by Temple University researchers found that teens still struggle to plan ahead, leading to riskier decisions. The study tested 890 individuals between 10-30 years old and showed improvements in impulse control with age, allowing for better problem-solving skills.
Researchers use computerized 3-D models to estimate plant yield based on measurable attributes, enabling rapid and accurate prediction of large numbers of plants' potential yields. The project aims to improve Australian agriculture's efficiency and competitiveness by producing more food for a growing population.
Researchers develop a way to duplicate the neural mechanism of learning in rats, restoring memory function. The team's artificial hippocampal system can strengthen internal brain memory and enhance cognitive processes, paving the way for potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.
A longitudinal study found that children from low-income households who experienced consistently high-quality home learning environments were more ready for school. The quality of their environment over time predicted their readiness skills.
A study published in Personal Relationships found that daily couple conflict can have lasting implications for physical and mental well-being. Individuals with high anxiety in their relationships experienced greater sleep disruption after conflict, while those who avoided emotional attachment had lower levels of disturbance.
University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist Don Hampton analyzed the comet Hartley 2's nucleus, revealing a dynamic mass of ice and dust emitting gases through cracks. This research provides valuable insights into the composition and unique behavior of comets, shedding light on their role in the solar system's history.
Researchers from the UK, South Africa, and China are collaborating on 12 Pathfinder projects to address global challenges. The joint data project aims to provide new perspectives on UK issues and tackle topics such as wellbeing, social mobility, and economic growth.
Researchers have successfully performed a new surgical procedure that uses a patient's own stem cells to line man-made bypass grafts, aiming to improve the long-term results of peripheral artery disease treatment. The first three patients enrolled in the clinical trial are doing well and report relief from symptoms almost immediately.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation calls for improved strategies to close the treatment gap and reduce the future burden of fractures. A new report estimates that increasing treatment uptake could avoid 13% of projected fractures by 2025, resulting in 95,000 fewer fractures annually.
A comprehensive quality improvement programme implemented in 103 Michigan ICUs reduced central line bloodstream infections to a record low. The programme's success was attributed to its community-driven approach and emphasis on storytelling, hard data, and checklists.
Researchers have developed a minimally invasive brain implant that wirelessly transmits brain signals to control computers and reactivate paralyzed limbs. The BioBolt implant uses the skin as a conductor to reduce power consumption and enable potential applications in controlling epilepsy and diagnosing diseases like Parkinson's.
Scientists at Carnegie's Geophysical Laboratory have discovered a metallic glass that demonstrates long-range order among its atoms, a key characteristic of the elusive 'perfect glass' state. By applying high pressure, they were able to create a single crystal and preserve its structural order.
A study of over 200 pregnant women found that nearly half used alternative methods such as walking, sex, or spicy food to try to bring on labor. These techniques were often tried despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness, and some may pose risks to mother and baby.
Researchers found that resistant horseweed has a pump in the tonoplast membrane that actively moves glyphosate into the vacuole, making it unavailable for translocation. Sensitive plants can't keep up with this rapid shuttle of glyphosate, allowing them to be killed by the herbicide.
A recent Penn study discovered that microbes open and pass through the initial cellular barrier in a programmed and efficient way, suggesting a normal physiological event. This finding supports a general mechanism for epithelial opening exploited by invasive pathogens.
New guidelines for social media use in healthcare emphasize education over prescriptive advice. Researchers explore the potential benefits of social networking in breaking down barriers to reform, as seen in a Taiwan case study where the Minister of Health engaged with stakeholders through Facebook.
Research finds one-third of pregnant women with depression have a history of eating disorders, while many others have experienced physical or sexual abuse. Mental health screenings are crucial to identify at-risk patients and provide early treatment.
Researchers at USC have found that the energy difference between two alpha-synuclein structures is less than previously thought, offering new insights into the protein's role in Parkinson's disease. This discovery could help explain why the protein misfolds and becomes toxic to surrounding nerve cells.
A University of Michigan study found that a heightened immune response to colds can exacerbate asthma symptoms. By tempering the immune response, asthma patients may experience reduced inflammation and bronchoconstriction following a cold infection.
Researchers will use a quantitative proteomics approach to identify biomarkers for bile duct cancer in patients infected with Opisthorchis viverrini. The study aims to develop early diagnostic tools for this deadly disease, which affects over 40 million people in Southeast Asia.
Simon Chan and Jorge Dubcovsky, two UC Davis plant biologists, have been selected as HHMI-GBMF Investigators, funded by $75 million over five years to support their research on plant breeding and wheat improvement. Their work has the potential to help avert a looming global food crisis.
A genetic and biochemical test has been developed to diagnose Idiopathic Infantile Hypercalcemia (IIH), a rare inherited disease affecting 600 Canadians. The test detects the defect behind vitamin D breakdown, resulting in excess calcium in the blood and calcification of organs.
A UBC study found that over 75% of tree holes used by birds and mammals worldwide are created by damage and decay, emphasizing the importance of preserving older, larger trees. This contrasts with North American forests where woodpeckers dominate hole creation.
A new study reveals that ocean low-oxygen zones are expanding and contracting in response to climate changes, posing a significant threat to marine ecosystems. The research, led by UCLA scientists, found that these oxygen-depleted regions can have devastating effects on marine populations.
Scientists have discovered a protein marker on the surface of adipose stromal cells (ASCs), which drive fat expansion in the body. The finding may lead to developing a method to inactivate these cells, potentially treating obesity and improving regenerative therapies.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that African Americans with dental insurance still experience barriers to quality care, including limited coverage and inadequate provider availability. This leads to postponed treatment, worsening symptoms, and increased public health expenses.
A team of Canadian scientists discovered that specific mixtures of antimicrobial agents presented in lipid (fatty) mixtures can significantly boost the effectiveness of those agents to kill multidrug-resistant bacteria. This new therapy has the potential to combat bacterial multidrug resistance, a growing clinical problem.
The University of Colorado Boulder has been awarded a six-year, $5.9 million grant to continue its long-term ecological studies in Colorado's high mountains, focusing on climate change and human-caused changes. The research at the Niwot Ridge Long-Term Ecological Research site will investigate the effects of warming temperatures, nitro...
Researchers at Oregon State University have confirmed that ultrawideband technology could enable the development of body-area networks for continuous health monitoring. The technology has the potential to reduce healthcare costs and improve medical care by providing non-invasive, low-cost solutions for real-time health diagnosis.
Sheng Yang He, a plant biologist at Michigan State University, has been recognized as one of the nation's most-innovative plant scientists. He will receive funding for his research on the Type III secretion system, a bacterial weapon that affects plant cells.
Elliot Meyerowitz, a plant genetics expert at Caltech, has received a $5 million grant from the HHMI and GBMF to study computational morphodynamics in plants. This funding represents an unprecedented influx of cash for basic plant research, which is critical for food production, human health, and environmental protection.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered that larger fungal spores are more virulent and can cause worse infections. The study suggests a new way to categorize fungi based on spore size, which could lead to developing new treatments for mucor infections.
Scientists have found a mid-season decline in wildflowers at high-altitude meadows, affecting pollinator populations. This shift is attributed to climate change, which alters moisture availability and flowering timing, leading to ecosystem-wide impacts on animals that feed on pollen and nectar.
Pediatric hematologist Mitchell J. Weiss and colleagues identified a rare hemoglobin mutation, named after the patient's hometown of Toms River, N.J., that causes temporary blue coloration and anemia. The mutation has mild effects and disappears within months of birth.
Researchers create the world's first three-dimensional plasmon rulers, capable of measuring spatial changes in macrmolecular systems, providing a new tool for understanding critical biological events. The 3D plasmon rulers enable scientists to retrieve complete spatial configuration and track dynamic evolution of complex processes.
Researchers found that shorter, less strenuous warm-ups resulted in less muscle fatigue yet more peak power output compared to traditional warm-ups. This suggests that a better approach would be to aim for just enough activity to promote post-activation potentiation without creating fatigue.
Astronomers discovered a massive black hole in a distant galaxy that ripped apart a star, creating a powerful beam of energy that crossed 3.8 billion light years to Earth. The extreme brightness of this event was due to the small fraction of the sky illuminated by the jet of light towards the Milky Way.
A recent study has identified the brain regions responsible for our sense of body ownership, revealing a unified view of the body as a single entity. The findings suggest that multisensory neurons integrate visual, tactile, and proprioceptive information to facilitate full-body ownership.
The Wallow North and Horseshoe 2 fires in eastern Arizona have burned over 487,016 acres, with the Landsat 5 satellite capturing images of the blazes. The satellite's false-colored imagery helps emergency managers plan containment strategies.
Researchers propose reclassifying osteoarthritis into distinct divisions based on clinical and structural phenotypes. This could enable targeted treatments for specific patient groups, such as those affected by obesity or trauma. Improved imaging and biomarker technologies are needed to support this new classification system.
A new sealant gel has been found to be effective in closing spinal wounds following surgery, achieving a watertight seal 100% of the time. The polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel sealant plugs miniscule leaks in the spinal column's sheath, reducing the risk of infection and meningitis.
Researchers at UTHealth are exploring the link between Adenovirus-36 and obesity, with a focus on firefighters who are more likely to be overweight or obese. The study aims to design health and wellness strategies for this high-risk population.
The Navy plans to double its investment in STEM education over the next five years, aiming to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. The initiative will increase funding to more than $100 million by 2015, with a focus on under-represented communities.
The galaxy Centaurus A is home to a firestorm of new star formation triggered by shockwaves from a past collision and merger with another galaxy. Hubble's image reveals the birth of vibrant blue star clusters and compresses hydrogen gas clouds.
Physicians at Washington University used an artificial lung to treat a two-year-old boy with severe pulmonary hypertension, saving his life. The boy, Owen Stark, was initially treated with medication and a ventilator before being placed on the life-support machine called ECMO.
A University of Arizona study found that having health insurance does not protect Arizonans from accumulating medical debt, which can delay or forego necessary medical care. The research also highlights the importance of portable and universal healthcare to prevent coverage gaps and reduce medical debt.
A large study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that patients with Barrett's esophagus have a lower risk of esophageal cancer than previously thought. Men and individuals aged 60-69 were found to be at higher risk, highlighting the importance of personalized risk scores.
Researchers discovered a unique regulatory circuit in plants that controls their immune sensor, which could lead to new ways to understand and treat autoimmune diseases. By studying this mechanism, scientists hope to develop treatments for allergies and other ailments.
Researchers have discovered how ketamine produces a fast-acting antidepressant effect, shedding light on its potential as an emergency room treatment for high-risk patients. The study's findings could lead to the development of faster-acting and longer-lasting antidepressants.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered that Lyme disease bacteria accumulate in lymph nodes, triggering a strong immune response but one that is not effective against the infection. The study suggests that B. burgdorferi has developed a novel strategy to subvert the immune system, allowing it to both provoke and evade an effective response.
Researchers at UTHealth have discovered a link between chromosome region 16p13.1 and thoracic aortic disease, finding that patients with duplications are 12 times more likely to develop the condition. The study identified nine genes in this region, which may contribute to the development of aneurysms and dissections.
A recent study by the Medical College of Georgia found that depressed pregnant women often receive inconsistent treatment, leading to longer hospital stays. The lack of uniformity in addressing perinatal depression is attributed to providers feeling burdened and isolated in making decisions about complex issues.
The Wireless Intelligent Sensor Platform for Emergency Responders (WISPER) combines three technologies to create a life-saving solution for firefighters. It features a microwave radio, navigation devices, and physiological health assessment system to track firefighters' locations and vital signs.
A recent study by Lynne Murray and colleagues found that postnatal depression in mothers is associated with a substantially increased risk of depression in their children until age 16. The researchers also discovered that infant attachment issues and lower child ego resilience are linked to the development of depression.
A novel study capitalizes on binocular rivalry to test metacognition of visual imagery. Participants rated vividness and effort for imagined patterns, which emerged as dominant patterns during the display. This suggests that our evaluations of mental imagery are directly related to performance in perceptual tasks.
A study found that people with duplications in chromosome 16's 16p13.1 region are at 12-fold increased risk of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. Researchers from UTHealth and Baylor College of Medicine discovered this association, which may lead to aggressive forms of the disease and require closer monitoring.
New research controls stem cell development to direct desired cell types, enabling efficient diagnostics and regenerative medicine therapies. The study's findings could be used to develop manufacturing procedures for producing large quantities of stem cells.