A major study by economists Joseph P. Kaboski and Robert M. Townsend found that a large microfinance program in Thailand increased wages by approximately 7% in villages that received funding. The authors argue that the wage impacts may be due to more efficient distribution of capital, benefiting labor demand.
The CDC's Expert Panel on Protective Factors for Youth Violence recommends a new research approach to identify protective factors that can reduce the likelihood of violence. The findings highlight the importance of understanding factors that protect youth from engaging in violent behavior.
Griffith University researchers analyze ancient human remains to determine the origins of people in South-east Asia and Australia. The study identifies two waves of human migration through Asia and detects historic patterns of interbreeding among early people.
The study found that children with cancer were more likely to survive if they participated in clinical trials, particularly for rare tumours like hepatoblastoma. Between 1978 and 2005, the percentage of children enrolled in trials increased, leading to significant improvements in survival rates across various cancers.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Scientific Council has recognized six exceptional young researchers for their outstanding contributions to mental health research. The awards honor achievements in clinical and basic mental health research, including studies on vascular disease, synaptic dysfunction, and mood disorders.
Researchers from Kiel University and Hamburg University of Technology have developed Aerographite, a three-dimensionally interwoven porous carbon tube material that is incredibly strong yet extremely light. The material has unique properties, including being electrically conductive, ductile, and non-transparent.
Research by IDIBELL-UB reveals that exposure to IDPN nitrile leads to accumulations of neurofilaments similar to those found in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This finding suggests a potential link between environmental toxins and ALS, with implications for new treatment approaches.
Scientists found that agoutis, common rodents in tropical lowlands, buried seeds at a scale previously unknown. This behavior likely prevented large-seeded plants from becoming extinct when their primary dispersers disappeared over 10,000 years ago.
Researchers have developed a new experimental drug that reduces brain damage and improves motor skills in stroke-afflicted rodents. The drug, 3K3A-APC, extends the therapeutic window of tPA, allowing for more effective treatment beyond the three-hour time frame.
Experts warn that revealing biomarker results to asymptomatic individuals can cause anxiety and depression, while safeguards are needed to prevent marginalization or mistreatment. The prevention trial aims to better understand how older adults make sense of risk information and its impact on health and well-being.
Despite criticism that local school boards are outdated, Americans favor local control, with over 40 years of public surveys showing strong support for local governance. Local leaders should be involved in shaping federal policies and receiving resources to implement them.
Researchers developed a new approach to creating microchip structures using self-assembling polymers, producing arrays of wires with perfect square and rectangular patterns. This technique can create complex shapes, such as cylinders, spheres, and double cylinders, with a simple template.
A novel model of a rapid response team, called Triggers, was evaluated for its effectiveness in detecting and managing clinical instability. The study found that this approach yielded similar outcomes as traditional rapid response teams staffed with intensive care specialists.
Researchers at UCSB discovered a variation of an enzyme's ability to 'hop' along DNA, modifying genetic material and physical capabilities in bacteria. The study provides insight into epigenetic gene regulation and its potential applications in biomedical fields.
Stanford researchers estimate that radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster may cause 15-1,300 deaths and 24-2,500 cancer cases, mainly in Japan. The study uses a 3-D global atmospheric model to predict radioactive material transport and human exposure.
Research published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that certain jobs carried out by fathers may be linked to an increased risk of birth defects in their babies. Jobs such as mathematicians, physicists, and computer scientists, as well as artists and photographers, were associated with a higher risk of birth defects.
Directly targeting microRNA-125b to block androgen receptor activity represents a novel approach for treating castrate-resistant prostate cancer. The study provides new insight into the mechanism of miR-125b regulation of castrate-resistance prostate cancer.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, which promotes breast cancer cell colonization of bone. Beta-blockers, such as propranolol, can prevent this process by inhibiting sympathetic nervous system signals.
A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that high vitamin E intake from diet or supplements is associated with lower liver cancer risk. The analysis included 132,837 individuals and showed a clear inverse dose-response relation between vitamin E intake and liver cancer risk.
Researchers used tiny artificial fiber scaffolds to help develop cartilage in laboratory and animal models. The use of nanofiber scaffolds improved tissue development and repair, producing more durable type 2 collagen, which is usually lacking in surgically repaired cartilage tissue.
Researchers found that silymarin supplements did not improve liver function or reduce symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant chronic hepatitis C. The study suggests that alternative treatments may be needed for this disease, which affects nearly 3% of the global population.
Researchers at Polytechnic University of Catalonia developed an algorithm using Japanese tree frogs' calling behavior to solve the graph coloring problem, ensuring efficient color assignment in wireless networks. The new approach enables optimizing WiFi connections and improving energy efficiency.
Researchers have designed an algorithm that enables robots to navigate and view complex structures on ships, including propellers and shafts, using sonar data. The system can detect small mines as small as an iPod and significantly improves the robot's path length, making it competitive with divers in speed and efficiency.
Researchers found long-range correlation between letters and words within texts, enabling conclusions about topic connections. Burstiness analysis also reveals representative words in passages.
A social entrepreneurship approach for sexual health optimization is being explored, focusing on decentralized community delivery and multisectoral networks. The authors argue that this approach has great promise in delivering comprehensive sexual health interventions to most-at-risk populations.
A new study by Oregon State University researchers found that people with physical health problems are three times more likely to seek mental health care. The study highlights the need for better-coordinated care between physical and mental health providers.
Researchers at Caltech have found evidence of a link between immune irregularities and autism. The study suggests that specific changes in an overactive immune system can contribute to autism-like behaviors in mice, potentially related to prenatal experiences.
Researchers aim to achieve superconductivity at non-cryogenic temperatures by studying polariton condensates, a phenomenon exhibiting quantum collective behavior. Theoretical physicist Eric Bittner and experimentalist Carlos Silva will collaborate on the project.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation and Sohn Conference Foundation have named three outstanding young scientists as the first-ever Pediatric Cancer Research Fellows. The awardees, Lara E. Davis, Angela J. Sievert, and Leo Wang, will receive $186,000 each to tackle cancers in children and young adults.
A large cohort study found that high vitamin E intake from diet or supplements is associated with a lower risk of liver cancer. The study included over 132,000 individuals and analyzed data from two population-based cohort studies conducted in China.
A Purdue University study found that soil microbes can affect how glyphosate affects plants, potentially making resistant weeds more resistant to disease pressure. This discovery challenges existing understanding of glyphosate resistance and highlights the importance of considering soil microbes in weed management.
Remnants of Hurricane Emilia appear as a light swirl of clouds about 800 miles east-southeast of Hilo, moving west at close to 20 mph. Conditions are not favorable for re-development, and the storm is expected to weaken to depression status in cooler waters.
Biologists present a simple way to estimate maximum sustainable yield (MSY) using catch data and species resilience. The new method has been tested on 148 fish stocks with excellent agreement compared to traditional methods.
A study by University of Chicago Press Journals found that consumers often focus on the central option when choosing products, despite not being aware of this bias. This can lead to suboptimal decisions, particularly for low-involvement choices such as frequent purchases.
A study at Stanford University reveals the mechanical mechanisms in living cells, showing that cadherin-catenin-actin structure exerts force inside and between cells in living tissues. This understanding could have implications for biological processes such as tissue development, tumor growth, and complex organism formation.
Researchers found that victory poses signal feelings of triumph immediately after a win, challenging previous research on pride. Triumph expressions are automatic and universal across cultures, occurring on average 4 seconds after the end of a judo match.
Researchers at Rice University and Lockheed Martin have developed a process to create multiple high-performance anodes from a single silicon wafer for lithium-ion batteries. The new method uses electrochemical etching to extract the sponge-like structure, which can store more than four times its weight in lithium.
Harvard researchers found that a fungus produces superoxide, which oxidizes manganese, forming reactive minerals used for water cleanup and nutrient control. The discovery lends insight to environmental remediation and raises questions about the role of fungi in biogeochemistry.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a gene therapy treatment that extends the lives of mice with spinal muscular atrophy by introducing a missing gene into their central nervous systems. This breakthrough offers new hope for treating humans with SMA, potentially providing a cure within 12-18 months.
CSIRO will produce a large quantity of antibodies specific to rotavirus strains used in developing vaccines, aiding the project's goal of increasing access and effectiveness of existing commercial vaccines worldwide. The production facility will supply antibodies for five years, supporting the development of new, affordable rotavirus v...
A new study published in BMC Medicine has found that open access journals are producing high-quality peer-reviewed articles with a similar scientific impact to traditional subscription journals. The study compared the citation rates of over 610 open access journals and over 7,000 subscription journals, finding that the differences disa...
Researchers found SCAD occurs most frequently in men during extreme exertion and in women after childbirth, with a higher-than-expected rate of recurrence in females. Conservative therapies may be a better approach for some SCAD patients, while invasive procedures are associated with complications.
Research found that many top YouTube videos depict nurses in a derogatory way, with stereotypes including them as skilled professionals, sexual objects, or incompetent caregivers. The study highlights the need for professional bodies to lobby legislators to protect nursing from negative stereotyping and support positive promotion.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have shown that pulsed-dye laser treatment improves burn scar appearance, texture, and elasticity. The study found significant improvements in redness, scar thickness, and biomechanical properties, with potential implications for further refining treatment options.
A UCSF study reveals that a rare type of liver cancer may develop when one type of liver cell morphs into a totally different type, triggering tumors in mice. The discovery suggests that drugs targeting specific genes may provide a way to treat the deadly cancer.
Physicians feel responsible for assessing and addressing medication adherence but often rely on simple inquiries about adherence, leaving room for improvement. Non-adherence can lead to poor clinical outcomes, increased hospitalizations, and higher mortality rates.
A new study by Susan Parish found that families living in states with parity laws spent significantly less on healthcare needs for their children with autism. Families in these states incurred lower out-of-pocket costs, averaging $500 annually, compared to those without such legislation, where costs were much higher.
The US Department of the Navy has initiated a project to conserve the fadang tree species in Guam, with over 90% of trees killed by invasive insects. The partnership between the Navy and University of Guam aims to develop strategies for successful cycad transplantation and conservation.
Biologists at Tufts University have discovered a mechanism for organ placement in humans and other species, including plants and worms, that is driven by tubulin proteins. This finding has implications for understanding birth defects and the development of asymmetrical patterning across the tree of life.
A new study found that screening intervals between one and three years have similar outcomes for gastric cancer stages, but longer intervals lead to more advanced cancer at diagnosis. The researchers recommend a screening interval of every three years in high-risk regions.
Researchers found that pre-injury levels of four biomarkers were associated with an increased likelihood of ACL injury, with one biomarker linked to a 19-fold risk increase.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center developed lab-engineered muscle implants that can prompt muscle regeneration and repair, resulting in significant functional improvement. Exercising the implants accelerates the recovery process and promotes new muscle tissue growth.
A new study warns that online self-diagnosis can lead to overestimation of disease likelihood due to symptom-focused searches. This bias may result in consumers taking unnecessary medical actions, causing harm to themselves and society.
The NYC trans fat ban resulted in a significant reduction of trans fat consumption among fast food patrons, with a notable decrease in saturated fat intake. Young women who have never been pregnant are also at risk for urinary incontinence, affecting up to 12.6% of those surveyed. Prophylactic antidepressant therapy may help prevent tr...
A study found Asian victims of domestic violence use mental health services only 5.3% of the time, compared to 14.6% of Latino victims. Cultural barriers and language limitations contribute to this trend. Researchers are calling for more outreach efforts to increase access to culturally sensitive services.
A new study reveals that even drought-resistant tree species in the Bornean rainforest will face increased mortality due to El Nino events. Replacing coal with natural gas could reduce global warming by 40% under certain scenarios, according to a separate analysis.
A recent glacier break in Greenland has created an ice island approximately 46 square miles in size, similar to the mega-calving event that occurred two years ago. This phenomenon highlights the ongoing melting and reduction of the Greenland ice sheet due to global climate change.
A team of scientists at the New York Stem Cell Foundation developed a cell-based model of Alzheimer's disease by reprogramming skin cells from patients into brain cells that are affected in Alzheimer's. The model recapitulates the features and functions of patient suffering from Alzheimer's, providing a critical tool for future researc...
A study found racial disparities in larynx preservation therapy for cancer, with black patients having lower rates of treatment compared to white patients. The use of radiation with chemotherapy as initial treatment has become more widespread, but disparities persist among black patients with stage IV disease.
A team of international researchers used CT scans and biomechanical modelling to understand how Diplodocus fed on tree branches. They found that combing and raking of leaves was a stress-free feeding behaviour for the skull bones and teeth, contradicting previous hypotheses.