A new study found that money reminders lead consumers to react against people who influence their decisions, boosting the importance of autonomy. Participants in three studies reacted oppositely when reminded of money compared to those not reminded, with money-reminded consumers responding more strongly to social influences
A comprehensive assessment of tropical forests found primary forests sustain the highest levels of biodiversity and are vital to many species. Human activities like logging and agricultural expansion have transformed most remaining primary forests, leaving little unaltered.
A study at University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that college students talk about hookups more than they actually engage in them, leading to a normalized view of the practice and riskier behavior. Students who frequently discuss hookups with peers are more likely to participate in casual sex.
A protein discovered by Dr. Suresh Alahari's laboratory can inhibit breast cancer cell growth and reduce tumor progression. The research found that Nischarin, a novel protein regulating breast cancer cell migration, acts as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer.
A Ghanaian PhD student has developed a new chemical analysis technique to determine the exact contents of drugs, helping to tackle uneven medicine quality and unauthorized drug sales in Africa. The technique will also be used for environmental investigations to combat antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments.
A new study reveals that consumers are influenced by people with lower socioeconomic status, particularly when they aspire to a desirable trait. The 'low status user effect' suggests that observing a person from a lower status group using a product can lead to interest and emulation among higher-status individuals.
Researchers found that telestroke, a two-way audio-video telemedicine system, is cost-effective for rural hospitals without around-the-clock neurologists. The study calculated the cost-effectiveness of telestroke by comparing costs and quality-adjusted life years of stroke patients treated with telestroke versus usual care.
A recent Harvard University study found that milk-drinking teens had a 43% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes as adults. The research also showed that maintaining dairy habits through adulthood can lead to less weight gain and a reduced risk of the disease.
Researchers at MIT have designed a tiny energy harvester that can generate 100 times the power of similar devices, making it a potential solution to the power constraint in wireless sensors. The device uses a single layer of PZT and responds to a wide range of low-frequency vibrations.
Researchers discovered that desert seed beetles use a strategy of stacking their eggs as shields against parasitic wasps. The beetles lay their eggs on seed pods, then stack multiple layers to protect them from the wasp species. This behavior prevents the wasp larvae from developing and allows the beetle offspring to survive.
Research finds that benzene and BTEX emissions remained dissolved in the Gulf of Mexico, posing a potential health risk to cleanup workers. However, other substances released by crude oil could become airborne, threatening worker health if inhaled.
A study from Henry Ford Health found that HPV-positive laryngeal cancer patients have better survival rates and respond better to treatment than those without HPV. The research suggests a link between HPV infection, age, and changes in sexual behavior with younger generations.
The researchers have received two grants to further develop the steam hydrogasification process that turns waste from food, yards, and other sources into transportation fuels or natural gas. The process has been found to be 12% more efficient and 18% less expensive than other mainstream gasification technologies.
Researchers develop a new collector technology using water-repelling nanoparticles to recover gold, silver, and copper from waste rock. The process achieves near-100% recovery rate in laboratory experiments.
A new model suggests that Siberian mantle plume contained recycled oceanic crust, leading to exceptional magmatic eruptions and mass extinction. The team's study provides new insights into the origin of the Siberian Traps and their relation to the Permo-Triassic mass extinction event.
Researchers deciphered the sparse genome of segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), a key player in regulating the immune system of mice. The study suggests SFB is genetically distinct from other bacterial genomes, with a unique role in promoting immune responses that protect against infection but also spur inflammation.
Researchers at MIT and Carnegie Mellon used molecular modeling and simulation to study the behavior of lamin A protein tails, finding that mutant protein tails are actually more stable than healthy counterparts. The discovery validates the application of civil engineering methodology to studying diseased cells.
A $1.1 million grant aims to boost under-represented students in health-related research, fostering diversity and addressing disparities in cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases. The program will provide mentorship, research training, and financial assistance to 16 students from diverse backgrounds.
A Spanish research establishes factors associated with tiredness in cancer survivors to improve their quality of life and rehabilitation. More than 66% of breast cancer survivors suffer from fatigue following recovery, caused directly by the disease, physical deterioration or treatment received.
Andrea Endimiani has been recognized for his groundbreaking research on the impact of drug resistance traits on infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria. He has also made significant contributions to understanding the prevalence of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in multiple US cities.
A new hybrid imaging device combining photoacoustic imaging, optical coherence tomography, and pulse-echo ultrasound has been developed to diagnose early-stage ovarian cancer. The device was tested on both pig and human ovarian tissue, correctly identifying malignant tumors in initial tests.
Dr. John G. Bartlett has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to antimicrobial chemotherapy and infectious diseases research. He is a pioneer in understanding emerging problems and innovations in the field.
Researchers discovered that cardiotrophin 1 accelerates fat elimination from adipose tissue, increases muscle fat burning, and improves glucose uptake in cells. Treatment of obese mice with cardiotrophin 1 also reduces food intake and corrects obesity and diabetes.
A web-based tool called WISE has been developed to help breast cancer survivors manage their symptoms and improve employment outcomes. The tool provides customized information and decision support tools to identify ergonomic workplace problems and implement changes.
Research found that engaging in one healthy lifestyle behavior can decrease heart failure risk, while each additional behavior further reduces the risk. Key findings include: regular physical activity and a diet rich in vegetables lowering risk by 21-33% and 26-27%, respectively.
Researchers at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University have identified a way to keep the cancer-preventive properties of celecoxib while avoiding its risks. The study shows that celecoxib inhibits an enzyme called GSK3 in lung cancer cells, causing apoptosis and disappearance of a protein called c-FLIP.
Researchers developed intelligent airfoil design that can sense changes in airflow and adjust surface conditions using synthetic jets to reduce fatigue and enhance lift. The technology has potential applications in aerospace vehicles and renewable energy sector, with the goal of improving turbine performance and reducing unsteady loads.
Researchers found that short-term and long-term motor memory compete against each other, with switching between tasks improving retention. USC scientists' discovery could lead to optimized computer programs for stroke patient rehabilitation.
Researchers from across Canada have identified the genetic makeup of 75 medicinal plant species, making them available to scientists and the public online. The discovery has the potential to develop new technologies to re-create plant pathways in microbes, creating effective medicines and chemicals.
New research at NIST finds that controlling stem cell shape can induce specific types of cells, offering a simpler and cheaper alternative to biochemical supplements. The study compared five scaffold designs and found that only one, nanofiber scaffolds, successfully directed stem cells into bone-like structures.
Researchers used a 'super-res' microscope to study the immune system and found that granules from natural killer cells pass through openings in dynamic cell structures to destroy tumor cells and infected cells. This discovery may lead to more effective treatments for inherited diseases that impair the immune system.
A team of researchers evaluated the effect of low-power Terahertz radiation on mouse stem cells, finding temperature increases were minimal and heat shock protein expression was unaffected. However, certain genes showed clear effects from THz irradiation, suggesting further investigations are needed to generalize findings.
A recent study found that only 13% of teens with suicidal thoughts received mental health visits, and even fewer (26%) received services the year prior. This highlights the need for improved screening by primary care providers to identify suicidal tendencies.
Using a single UV laser pulse, researchers can now zap away biological tissue at multiple points simultaneously. This technique allows scientists to isolate specific cells and observe their shape dictated solely by internal forces. The method has potential applications in developmental biology and bioengineering.
Dr. Ashraf Ibrahim, a leading researcher on infectious diseases at LA BioMed, has been recognized by the American Society for Microbiology for his groundbreaking work on Acinetobacter baumannii, a highly antibiotic-resistant bacterium. The honor acknowledges his contributions to understanding and combatting this threat to public health.
A study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology found that a soy-based natural S-equol supplement did not increase the risk of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer. The supplement, SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol, was previously shown to reduce menopause symptoms in postmenopausal women.
Researchers at Helmholtz Association find that phytoestrogens, particularly lignans and their metabolite enterolactone, may help reduce breast cancer mortality. Enterolactone levels are linked to clinical disease progression and mortality risk, with higher levels associated with lower risk.
A Henry Ford Hospital study has identified 23 microRNAs specific to laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, a form of head and neck cancer. The discovery could lead to a better understanding of what causes certain cells to grow and become cancerous tumors.
A study published in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research found that African American patients are less likely to be admitted to high-volume hospitals for total knee replacement surgery, receiving instead lower-quality care. This racial disparity affects access to high-quality arthroplasty care.
A study of 74 musicians and 89 non-musicians found that being a musician can delay age-related decline in central auditory processing, allowing older musicians to understand speech in noisy environments as well as younger non-musicians. This advantage was particularly pronounced for older musicians.
Researchers have identified a protein that plays a critical role in heart development and may also be a therapeutic target for halting colon cancer metastasis. BVES expression was found to be low in all stages of colon cancer and decreased levels were observed in many other types of epithelial cancers.
Researchers have deciphered the structure of an essential enzyme in photosynthetic organisms, a target for algaecide development. This discovery could lead to the creation of compounds that block the enzyme's function, inhibiting algae growth without harming other plant life.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that genotyping patients with hepatitis C can improve doctors' ability to predict treatment response. The study identified an interaction between IL28B, HLA-C, and KIR genes as a mechanism for viral control, potentially leading to improved therapies.
A survey of federally funded programs in 57 US states and territories found a need for specific, adapted diabetes treatment guidelines. Current national guidelines may not be optimal within each state's resources, and officials lack scientific evidence to adapt them.
A new study has confirmed that abnormal brain blood flow continues or worsens over time in veterans with Gulf War illness. The research used a novel technique to assess hippocampal regional cerebral blood flow and identified a special MRI procedure to diagnose the condition more accurately.
TheSkyNet project allows public to contribute spare computing power to radio astronomy data processing. The initiative aims to complement primary data processing work of supercomputing facilities, generating real outcomes for scientific research.
Homeless seniors in Boston experience high rates of functional decline, falls, frailty, and depression compared to the general population. Many conditions are easily treatable if detected, suggesting early screening is crucial for clinicians caring for homeless adults.
A meta-analysis of 22 studies from around the world found a strong association between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The study suggests that even moderate drinking can increase the risk, particularly at higher levels of consumption.
NASA has awarded a $100,000 grant to Penn State researcher Michael V. Paul for developing non-radioisotope power systems. The project aims to explore sunless solar system missions using metal-combustion engines, which could enable low-cost planetary exploration without relying on radioisotope power sources.
The mirrors of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have completed the coating process with a microscopically thin layer of gold, enabling the telescope to observe extremely faint objects in infrared light. This achievement marks another major success story for the Webb telescope mirrors, ensuring even more scientific discovery potential.
The Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute has developed a fast and reliable method to date silk using capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry. This technique measures the natural deterioration of silk's amino acids to determine its age, providing a scientific clock for estimating silk's age.
A study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry found that pure maple syrup improved liver function tests in rats fed a diet with 20% pure maple syrup compared to a control group. The results suggest that maple syrup's polyphenolic antioxidants may help regulate glucose metabolism and reduce liver enzyme levels.
A large-scale study has found that intrauterine devices (IUDs) may protect against cervical cancer. The research involved over 20,000 women from different countries and revealed a significant reduction in cervical cancer risk among IUD users.
A study by the Autonomous University of Barcelona found that children who sleep less than nine hours per night have worse academic skills and cognitive development. Parents are advised to establish a bedtime routine and ensure their children go to bed on time to maintain healthy sleep patterns.
A new study predicts that California beach towns will experience significant economic losses due to sea level rise, with visitor hotspots like Venice Beach facing up to $440 million in tourism revenue losses. The study also found that accelerated erosion could cause up to $540 million worth of damage at San Francisco's Ocean Beach.
Egyptian fruit bats exhibit sophisticated spatial orientation using echolocation, adjusting their 'field-of-view' by altering sonar beam width and intensity in response to environmental complexity. This adaptability enables them to track targets and avoid collisions in dense environments.
A significant increase in lymph node evaluation during colon cancer operations occurred over two decades, but this was not associated with a corresponding rise in node-positive cancers. Patients with high lymph node evaluation experienced lower relative hazard of death.
Researchers have identified two weak points in the hepatitis C virus that could be targeted by a new vaccine. The discovery uses next-generation deep sequencing and computer analytics to track changes in the virus after infection, revealing opportunities for effective vaccine development.
Alison K. Criss, a young investigator at the University of Virginia, receives the ICAAC Young Investigator Award for her outstanding research on bacterial pathogenesis. Her work focuses on the interactions between Neisseria gonorrhoeae and host cells, with implications for understanding bacterial evasion mechanisms.
A new microscope technology allows scientists to see individual elements in immune cells, including protein filaments and granules that destroy infected cells. The study reveals that these granules pass through openings in the cell skeleton to reach their targets.