The Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings program has released its 2012 ratings for adult football helmets, with three models earning a 5-star mark. The top-rated helmets are the Riddell Revolution Speed, Rawlings Quantum Plus and Riddell 360, which demonstrate improved safety features.
The US approach to clean energy needs a reality check, according to Stanford researchers. Drs. Jeffrey Ball and Kassia Yanosek recommend driving down costs of key technologies and speeding up deployment to make renewable power economically viable. This will require targeted government policy and private sector investment.
A new study challenges traditional risk factors for contrast-induced nephrotoxicity, finding that patients with history of renal disease, hypertension, and heart disease are at greater risk. In contrast, diabetes is not a significant predictor of reduced renal function.
A Mayo Clinic study of 926 people aged 70-93 found that combining mentally stimulating activities like computer use with moderate exercise decreases the risk of memory loss. The study suggests a synergistic interaction between computer activities and exercise in protecting brain function, particularly for those over 70.
A new national poll reveals that significant gaps exist in primary care for older Americans, with only 7% receiving all seven recommended services to support healthy aging. The survey highlights the importance of counseling on falls prevention and accessing Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit to improve geriatric care.
A Michigan State University study found that citizens are injured 41% of the time when stun guns are used during apprehension, compared to 29% without stun gun use. Meanwhile, officers are injured only 5% with stun guns, but nearly 10% without.
New research confirms resveratrol's role in prolonging lifespan and health through SIRT1-activated mitochondrial function. Studies using mouse models show that without SIRT1, resveratrol has no beneficial effect on energy production.
Researchers develop a new method of polymer synthesis based on segregation and templating to achieve precise control over polymer structure. This approach enables tailored polymers with specific properties for applications in nanomedicine, nanotechnology, and materials chemistry.
A recent study found that bigger male gorillas are more successful at attracting mates and raising offspring. The research, conducted over 12 years in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, revealed positive correlations between physical traits such as head-crest size and gluteal muscles with an adult male's average number of mates.
Scientists develop transforming mechanisms inspired by nature to create camouflage effects in soft, stretchy materials. The technology can be used in smart clothing, scaling up to an adaptable skin that stretches and deforms.
Researchers have discovered that NKCC1 protein facilitates the movement of glioblastoma cells, which are notoriously aggressive and deadly. The study also suggests that a cheap FDA-approved drug, bumetanide, could slow cell migration and contain tumor spread.
A research group led by Giulio Maria Pasinetti has discovered that misfolded tau released by neurons can spread to surrounding cells, promoting the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. A grape-seed extract enriched in polyphenols was also found to prevent cell-to-cell spread of tau pathology.
Researchers developed a mouse model of delirium, finding that systemic inflammation triggers short-term memory disturbance, which is reversed by treatment with donepezil. The study reconciles two long-standing hypotheses, shedding light on the condition's causes and potential treatments.
Surgeons successfully removed tumors from patients with unresectable abdominal cancers by using synthetic vascular grafts and re-implanting organs. All three patients are alive with no tumor recurrence after 2 to 4 years.
A national survey found that hospitals increased focus on CAUTIs and CLABSIs after the 2008 Medicare policy change. While most findings were positive, some IPs expressed concern about resource shifts and emphasis on physician documentation over patient outcomes.
The study found that dedicated pediatric imaging departments significantly reduce radiation doses in pediatric CT scans, with compliance rates improving and patient doses decreasing. The use of specialized technologists and protocols tailored to child size and organ system scanned contribute to these benefits.
A new study by Penn State researchers reveals that parenting behaviors and adolescents' substance-use behaviors are significantly correlated. Higher levels of parental knowledge and disciplinary consistency lead to a lower likelihood of substance use, while inconsistent parents and aware peers can increase the risk of substance use.
Researchers launch DC3 experiment to understand thunderstorms' influence on air just beneath the stratosphere, a little-explored region that affects Earth's climate. They aim to explore ozone formation and its impact on climate change by tracking pollutants and chemical reactions.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a novel screening technology to rapidly test metal-oxide nanomaterials for potential health hazards. The method uses high-throughput screening and predicts which materials are most likely to cause oxidative damage based on their electronic properties.
Dr. Timothy J. Collier received the 2012 Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for Brain Repair for his work on cellular repair for Parkinson's disease, while Dr. Sean I. Savitz was honored with the Molly and Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for his contributions to cell-based therapies for ischemic stroke.
The University of Houston will launch the Center for Health Equity and Evaluation Research (CHEER), a joint venture between the UH Graduate College of Social Work and MD Anderson Cancer Center. CHEER aims to investigate health disparities and develop real-world solutions for promoting health equity.
A Danish-British study published in PLoS Medicine reveals a direct correlation between high Body Mass Index (BMI) and the risk of developing heart disease. The research, based on data from 75,627 individuals, shows that obesity can damage heart health regardless of other factors.
Researchers at Hebrew University have identified specific genetic pathways involved in autism, highlighting their potential for early diagnosis and treatment. The study found that different genes tend to be involved in specific brain processes, explaining similarities in behavioral symptoms across individuals.
Researchers at Penn State developed a process to spin starch into fine strands for use in bandages and other medical dressings. The biodegradable bandages would degrade into glucose, eliminating the need for painful removal.
Researchers at MIT have developed a technique to mitigate side-channel attacks, which can steal computer secrets by analyzing time it takes for a computer to store data or measure its power consumption. This approach obscures computational details, making it difficult for attackers to infer information about the program.
A study found that large-bodied herbivores declined in biodiversity over the last 12 million years of the Cretaceous period. In contrast, carnivorous dinosaurs and smaller plant-eaters remained relatively stable or increased in diversity. The researchers used morphological disparity to analyze dinosaur groups and found that certain spe...
Michigan State University researchers are leading a clinical trial in Malawi to test the safety and feasibility of levetiracetam, an anti-seizure medication, to control seizures in children with cerebral malaria. The trial aims to improve neurologic outcomes for survivors, who often develop epilepsy or other neurologic disorders.
A study by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found limited use of family theories in pediatric obesity research, but suggests that increased use could lead to better treatments. The researchers propose a new approach that incorporates the entire family into treatment, rather than just focusing on individual patients.
Moffitt Cancer Center researchers identified 39 tyrosine kinases in sarcoma cells, which could drive tumor growth and survival. These enzymes were found to be expressed in multiple tumors, potentially limiting the effectiveness of targeted agents.
A recent study discovered a common genetic basis for touch and hearing, revealing that gene mutations affecting one sense can also impair the other. The research found that patients with Usher syndrome, a hereditary form of deafness, often experience impaired touch sensitivity due to a specific gene mutation.
A Mendelian randomization analysis found a continuous association between increased BMI and risk for ischemic heart disease, with no threshold below which BMI increase has no effect on IHD risk. The study's findings have important implications for public health policy.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified a critical mechanism involving the TOR protein kinase and master gene regulator proteins SKN-1 and DAF-16, which can increase stress resistance and longevity in various species.
A new study published in Psyche reveals that different butterfly species exhibit unique foraging behaviors, and the findings may be used to develop effective synthetic lures for understanding pollinators. Researchers used multi-colored landing pads and baits to determine that some butterflies rely on both sight and smell to locate food.
A recent study published in the Journal of American College of Surgeons found that removing a child's ruptured appendix within 24 hours significantly lowers hospital costs and charges. The study showed an estimated $10,000 savings in hospital charges when pediatric general surgeons removed the ruptured appendix early.
Astronomers have discovered a group of over 675 hypervelocity stars on the outskirts of the Milky Way, which are believed to have been ejected from the galactic core. These stars, found in intergalactic space between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxy, exhibit high metallicity indicating an inner galactic origin.
Researchers found that Chd1 protein regulates histone occupancy, enabling gene expression. In yeast cells, Chd1's absence impairs nucleosome reassembly and transcription.
A study published in Brain Pathology has found that halting the Kallikrein 6 enzyme can slow multiple sclerosis progression in mice. The researchers discovered an antibody that neutralizes the enzyme, which was shown to reduce inflammatory white blood cells and slow demyelination.
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is assembling the Fast Plasma Instrument (FPI), a crucial element of the MMS instrument suite, to study magnetic reconnection phenomena. The FPI will collect data at 30 times per second and is being tested with international partners.
A longitudinal study found that parenthood does not significantly improve parents' diets compared to non-parents, with both groups showing similar decreases in saturated fat intake and increases in fruit and vegetable consumption over time. However, parents lag behind their childless counterparts in making healthier dietary changes.
The RSNA Image Share project uses cloud computing to store and distribute medical images, making them accessible to physicians and patients. Patients can create an account to upload their images and access them securely.
Researchers found a specific enzyme, 5-lipoxygenase, linked to microgravity-induced cell death in astronauts, which may lead to therapeutics for aging-related immune problems. The discovery could also benefit the elderly on Earth by bolstering their immune systems.
Participatory agroforestry has restored land and secured the food supply in DPR Korea, increasing tree cover and productivity. The user groups' involvement and rights-to-use agreements contributed to the project's success.
The ONR-sponsored Flexrotor vertical takeoff and landing UAV is entering the next development phase, advancing its capability with an upgraded propulsion system. The aircraft will transition from vertical to cruising flight and land in crosswinds and high winds.
Researchers found relatively few genetic changes in induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from human bone marrow cells using an improved method. The study suggests that iPS cells do not pose a heightened cancer risk, but sequencing more cell lines is needed for a better understanding of mutation rates.
Historians have discovered that a Florentine merchant house financed the earliest English voyages to North America, leading by John Cabot in 1496. The funding, £16 13s. 4d., was provided by the Bardi banking house in London.
A recent study has identified 24 new species of skinks, a type of lizard, on Caribbean islands. The newly discovered species are threatened with extinction due to the introduction of invasive mongooses that have been responsible for their decline.
Historical research suggests that affluence rather than poverty drives alcohol consumption levels, particularly among the middle classes. This challenges traditional approaches to reducing consumption through taxation.
A recent study by Purdue University researchers found that modern hybrid corn varieties are more efficient in using nitrogen, producing more grain per pound of accumulated nitrogen. Grain yields have increased by an average of 28 bushels per acre over the past 21 years, despite a slight increase in total nitrogen uptake.
Researchers at RIT are developing experiential learning modules to address barriers faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing students in STEM fields. The three-year project aims to enhance problem-solving skills, teamwork, and process improvement through immersive hands-on activities.
Researchers discovered that random patches of disordered electric charges can induce a twisting force strong enough to affect biological objects at nanometers or micrometers away. This phenomenon could help understand patterns in biology, such as lock and key interactions.
A new study reveals that some wandering albatrosses are breeding 2.2 days earlier than before, with older or recently changed partners being key drivers of this trend. The researchers found no clear explanation for the change, which may be linked to environmental factors such as weather or ocean conditions.
A new study finds that prenatal exposure to the insecticide chlorpyrifos may lead to long-term changes in brain structure, potentially resulting in cognitive deficits. The study used MRI to evaluate the brains of 40 New York City children and found associations between higher exposure levels and brain anomalies.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed rapid testing method using paper strip to detect E. coli in recreational water within minutes, improving public safety and closing the gap between outbreaks and detection. The test strips can detect potentially harmful concentrations of E. coli with much greater accuracy than existing p...
Researchers created fully biodegradable silk scaffolds with high-compressive strength, mimicking native bone features. The composite materials enhanced human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and improved bone remodeling.
Researchers developed a novel solution to produce entangled photon pairs using an integrated circuit, making quantum technologies more accessible. The breakthrough could lead to faster data sorting and solve complex computational problems, potentially leading to new gadgets.
Researchers at Durham University have identified a key gene involved in sperm-to-egg binding, enabling fertilization in mammals. The discovery highlights the importance of cumulus cells surrounding eggs and suggests potential avenues for improving IVF treatment effectiveness and developing new contraceptives.
Researchers in The Journal of Geology found that plain ocean waves, aided by strong storms, can move giant boulders inland. By comparing old maps to modern photos, the team showed that sections of the ridges have moved significantly since 1839.
Concordia engineers develop a decision-making approach that considers factors like traffic, drainage system efficiency and seismic risk to prioritize bridge maintenance. The new method has the potential to reduce costs by avoiding costly repairs later on and promoting sustainability.
India uses branding campaigns to showcase its modernity and attract foreign investment, but the actual state of the country raises concerns about corruption and internal conflicts. The Indian government's efforts to suppress these issues may become increasingly difficult.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found no significant difference in survival rates between African-American and white children treated for virtually all cancers during a 15-year period. The study suggests equal access to comprehensive treatment translates into equally good outcomes, closing the racial survival gap.