Recent studies suggest that a 'pitch center' in human auditory cortex may not exist, contradicting decades-old research. The review article discusses the findings, highlighting the need for further investigation to confirm or deny the existence of such an area.
New Johns Hopkins research suggests that presumed consent legislation is unlikely to increase organ donation rates in the US. The study found that countries with presumptive consent laws do not have dramatically different organ donation processes than those without such laws.
Researchers validate preclinical effectiveness of TB drug target DNA gyrase B, killing bacteria in both replicating and dormant states. This could lead to a shorter treatment length, improving patient compliance and reducing drug resistance.
Scientists at the University of Gothenburg create a nanostructured surface on implants, fooling the innate immune system and reducing rejection rates. The unique surface mimics natural structures, allowing the body to integrate foreign objects more easily.
Researchers at the Joint BioEnergy Institute have successfully engineered E. coli bacteria to digest switchgrass biomass and synthesize its sugars into all three major transportation fuels: gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. This breakthrough reduces fuel production costs by consolidating two steps into one, enabling a single-step operation.
A study found that new mothers and fathers who believe society expects them to be 'perfect' parents show poorer adjustment. However, self-imposed pressure can have benefits for fathers, particularly in terms of parenting satisfaction and stress levels.
Researchers at Rice University developed a two-step method to attach organic molecules to pristine graphene, making it suitable for various new applications. This breakthrough enables advances in chemical sensors, thermoelectric devices, and metamaterials.
Researchers used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to study the effects of soccer 'heading' and found that frequent headers can lead to degeneration of brain cells. Brain areas responsible for attention, memory, and visual functions showed significant changes in FA values with high heading frequencies.
A new study from the University of New Hampshire found that older runners' running economy is no different than that of younger runners, but maintaining this efficiency comes at a higher cost, including lower VO2 max and maximal heart rates. Researchers recommend strength training to minimize age-related decline in performance.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has awarded $6 million to three West Coast universities to create a prototype earthquake early warning system. The goal is to provide seconds to several minutes of warning before the ground shakes, saving thousands of lives and millions of dollars in the event of an earthquake.
Researchers reviewed 145 risk scores for type 2 diabetes, identifying seven effective models that can predict high risk with reasonable accuracy. Using these tools could prevent up to half of all cases of diabetes by promoting lifestyle changes and medication.
Researchers discovered a statistically significant association between occupational exposure to trichloroethylene, percholorethylene, and carbon tetrachloride and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study suggests a lag time of up to 40 years between exposure and onset of the disease.
A University of Adelaide scientist highlights the potential of freely available software tools to predict the spread of diseases in Australian wildlife and commercial stock. The team used these tools to estimate that up to 100,000 buffalo would need to be culled annually for 15 years to reduce TB prevalence near zero.
A new study published at the Radiological Society of North America meeting found that women between 40-49 years old without a family history of breast cancer are equally likely to develop invasive breast cancer as those with a family history. Annual screening mammography is recommended for this age group.
The University of Washington is developing an early earthquake warning system with a $2 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The system will place sensors along the coast to record the first signals from a major earthquake on the Cascadia subduction zone, providing warning for very large coastal earthquakes.
Researchers from Canada and Switzerland develop a quantum coin flipping method to ensure fair car ownership decisions. Despite being imperfect, the method prevents cheating by leveraging the properties of nature.
Researchers studied nearly 1,000 children in crashes and found no increased injury risk for a broad weight range. The current range of child safety seats and booster seats accommodates various body sizes, including heavier children.
A new study found that healthy individuals with more gray matter in their decision-making brain region can better evaluate rewards and consequences. In contrast, cocaine addicts have reduced gray matter volume in the same area, leading to impaired reward processing and increased risk of addiction.
The scale-up of voluntary medical male circumcision is a cost-effective way to prevent HIV in eastern and southern Africa. The initiative aims to achieve 80% coverage of VMMC services in 14 priority countries, resulting in net savings of $16.5 billion between 2011 and 2025.
A new Norwegian study reveals that extending pub and bar closing hours by one hour leads to a 20% increase in violent cases on weekends. The findings suggest that reducing trading hours also decreases violence by the same magnitude.
A study led by Dr. Charles Marmar found that police recruits with higher cortisol awakening responses were more likely to experience acute stress symptoms in response to trauma years later. The study suggests that measuring cortisol levels could be a potential indicator for identifying those at high risk for PTSD.
A study analyzing dried blood spots from over 35,000 babies in Austria found that lysosomal storage disorders are more common than previously thought, with a combined incidence of 1 in 2315 births. The findings raise questions about the practicality and cost of screening for these conditions.
A new study published in Journal of Molecular Neuroscience emphasizes the significance of identifying 'overlap syndrome' between ALS and FTD, which can impact patient survival. The research also explores clinical characteristics, diagnostic criteria, and screening strategies for this syndrome.
A new OSU study suggests that existing biofuel policies have been costly and ineffective in reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers found that alternative energy efficiency improvements would be more effective in reducing emissions.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis successfully synthesized a chlorosome component, a giant assembly of pigment molecules, and studied its self-assembly properties. The findings suggest that synthetic pigments could be easier to incorporate into solar devices than biomimetics made of proteins.
A recent study found that elevated blood sugar levels are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women. Researchers observed nearly 5,000 women over 12 years and discovered that those with higher glucose levels were more likely to develop the disease.
Researchers at Purdue University found that walnut trees are highly sensitive to certain climates and may struggle to survive in a changing environment. The trees' defense mechanisms against cold and extreme weather events could be compromised by climate change, leading to potential declines in the species.
Researchers at National University of Singapore discovered a collective electronic state not seen before in insulating oxides, exhibiting ferromagnetism. This is achieved through the interface of two materials, enabling novel electronic phases stabilized by the interface.
Researchers found that frequent soccer heading can cause brain injury and cognitive impairment, particularly in areas responsible for attention, memory, and executive functioning. A threshold level of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 heads per year was identified, with higher frequencies associated with significant injury.
Tel Aviv University researcher Prof. Tova Milo has developed a method to automatically optimize 'crowd-sourcing' of online data, flagging questionable input and alerting moderators to potentially offensive commentary. The technology improves the quality of information and saves valuable man-hours.
Researchers at University College London discovered electronic stripes on graphene sheets, a finding that could revolutionize the exploitation of this material. The discovery was made using a scanning tunneling microscope and found that extra electrons arrange themselves into nanometer-scale stripes spontaneously.
Researchers found that people expressed higher levels of support for gender equality when supporters were not specified, but became less supportive when attributed to radical or extreme groups. This tactic allows opponents to get people to lose respect for the value it represents.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation will investigate the impact of cognitive reserve on thinking, learning, and memory after traumatic brain injury. The study aims to develop strategies that reduce risk for cognitive problems in individuals with TBI.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg developed a new method to study electron interactions in negative ions, crucial for understanding phenomena like superconductors. This knowledge may also shed light on the origin of life and the chemical reactions that occurred in space.
Researchers at Harvard University have created genetically-altered neurons that light up as they fire, allowing them to trace signal propagation and study neural pathways. This breakthrough has the potential to speed up drug development and advance our understanding of genetic conditions.
Research suggests that sauropod dinosaurs used hollow osteoderms to store minerals needed for their huge skeletons and laying large egg clutches. The study also found that these "skin bones" became more important mineral stores as the animals grew.
Researchers have identified new ways to target and kill the malaria parasite in human bloodstreams, which could lead to the development of new anti-malarial drugs. The discovery provides a promising avenue for combating the disease, but also highlights the need for continued efforts to address growing resistance to current treatments.
A study published in CMAJ found that cancer survivors have a 2.2-fold increased risk of developing a second primary cancer of the same type as their first, while a second cancer of a different type has only a 1.1-fold increased risk. The risk varies depending on the type of cancer.
A recent study by the CARE Network found that daily inhaled steroid treatment for young children with frequent bouts of wheezing was not more effective than treating symptoms at the first signs of a respiratory tract infection. The trial showed comparable results in reducing episodes, symptom days, and quality of life.
Research led by Dr. Paul Harch found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly improved function and quality of life for veterans with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. The treatment showed improvements in symptoms, cognitive testing, quality of life measurements, and PTSD symptoms.
A study published in Neuron reveals that upper and lower white matter fiber pathways play distinct roles in language processing. Patients with damage to the lower pathway struggle with lexical semantics but excel at constructing sentences, while those with damage to the upper pathway have difficulties with syntactic processing.
Submarine springs in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula reveal how ocean acidification may impact coral reef ecosystems. The study found that some coral species can calcify at low pH, but these are not the dominant framework builders of Caribbean reefs.
Researchers create a glycoconjugate vaccine prototype that is 100 times more effective than traditional vaccines due to its recognition of carbohydrate-specific T-cells. The breakthrough may lead to better vaccines for high-risk populations and more effective treatments for various diseases.
The US Department of Energy has announced nine winners of the 2011 Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award, recognizing their significant contributions to research and development supporting the department's missions. The award winners will receive a gold medal, citation, and $20,000.
A Johns Hopkins study found that mobile clinics and home visits had minimal effects on improving disease outcomes among low-income, inner-city children with asthma. The programs showed some improvement in symptom-free days, but these benefits were short-lived and not sustained over time.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new player in the body's defense against cancer, VCP/p97 complex. This complex plays a crucial role in regulating the recruitment of tumor suppressor protein 53BP1 to damaged DNA.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine reveals that protein BMP7 signals prostate tumor cells to enter a state of dormancy. Withdrawal of this protein restarts tumor growth, offering potential new therapies to prevent recurrence.
A new study suggests that states could save substantial amounts of money by fully funding tobacco control programs, which have a sustained impact on cigarette demand. The programs would reduce Medicaid payments, medical costs, and lost productivity, resulting in long-term savings for the states.
The VOICE trial has stopped using tenofovir gel due to its lack of effectiveness in preventing HIV. Women enrolled in the study will still participate in the daily use of Truvada, which was found to be effective.
Experts from NYU Langone's Department of Radiology will present on various topics, including genitourinary evaluations and breast MRI outcomes. The department is a leader in advanced diagnostic imaging with over 100 board-certified radiologists.
The report presents the most comprehensive scientific analysis of climate change in the Pacific region, indicating warmer temperatures, ocean acidification, and increased extreme weather events. Future projections suggest decreased droughts and tropical cyclone frequencies, but increased extreme rainfall and sea-level rise.
A team of experts used CT imaging and computer-aided machinery to create a reproduction of a 1704 Stradivarius violin. The process involved scanning the original instrument and converting images into stereolithographic files, which were then carved and assembled by hand.
A collaborative study from the International Stem Cell Initiative analyzed human pluripotent stem cells' genetic stability and found that 75% remained normal after prolonged culture. However, researchers detected genetic changes similar to those seen in human cancers, highlighting the need for detecting and eliminating abnormal cells.
A UBC study reveals that climate-driven warming and predation are causing significant losses in marine biodiversity, with mussels losing 51% of their habitat due to rising temperatures. Removing predators through exclusion cages allowed prey species to occupy hotter sites, resulting in a doubling of species richness.
A special issue of NeuroRehabilitation highlights the latest clinical advances in vestibular rehabilitation, a proven treatment for balance disorders associated with neurological disease or trauma. The integration of multiple disciplines and specialized training has improved patient outcomes.
The PomBase database provides a comprehensive resource for studying fission yeast and its relevance to human diseases. The database contains counterparts of over 300 human disease genes, enabling researchers to study mechanisms involved in cell growth and division.
A new study explores whether a polarized filter can enhance colposcopy, allowing doctors to detect early signs of cervical cancer more accurately. The approach has shown promise in reducing unnecessary biopsies and surgeries, particularly in young women where normal cell types can be difficult to distinguish.
A new study from Ohio State University challenges the persistent stereotype that men spend more time thinking about sex. The research found that young men thought about sex almost 19 times a day, while women thought about it nearly 10 times a day. Men also considered eating and sleep needs more frequently than women.
Dartmouth Computer Science Professor Hany Farid and Eric Kee propose a rating system to assess the extent of digital retouching in photos. This metric could incentivize publishers and models to reduce extreme forms of retouching, potentially mitigating adverse effects on body image and public health.
Marine life may need to relocate faster than land species due to climate warming, posing a significant conservation challenge. The rate at which marine life relocates depends on the distance it needs to travel to reach its preferred temperature conditions, with many areas having relatively little temperature variation.