An online survey of over 3,500 young adults aged 18-25 found that half had smoked cannabis in the past 30 days, with co-use of tobacco and marijuana highest among Caucasians and daily smokers. The study suggests that 'stop smoking' campaigns should factor in cannabis use to their treatment plans.
A Pitt engineering research team is developing quantum-computing algorithms to model turbulent combustion, a challenge in aerospace. The US Air Force has awarded a five-year grant for this project.
Research from Duke University Medical Center finds that patients with voice problems experience nearly as many days of short-term disability claim and work productivity losses as those with chronic conditions. The study reveals that up to 40 lost workdays and $3,400 in short-term disability payments occur annually due to dysphonia.
A robotics company, Barobo, has received $500,000 in funding from the National Science Foundation to develop its modular robot technology into a commercial product. The grant aims to make Mobot a useful tool for teaching robotics in schools, potentially starting with third-grade classes.
Researchers present new methods for early lung cancer detection, including digital chest tomography and a blood test for BARD1 antibodies. These techniques have shown promising results in detecting lung cancer with high sensitivity and specificity.
Researchers at RIKEN Advanced Science Institute successfully demonstrate coherent quantum phase slip (CQPS) in a narrow superconducting wire, shedding light on an elusive phenomenon. This breakthrough enables the development of novel quantum devices that exploit CQPS functionality.
Scientists are developing new medicines based on epigenetics, a quiet revolution in biology and chemistry that influences how genes work in health and disease. Four drugs approved for blood cancer have limitations due to lack of selectivity.
A study is underway to document the consequences of low-dose exposure to organophosphates, a common pesticide that can impact nerves and cause chronic disabilities such as learning and memory problems. The researchers aim to identify ways to mitigate the effects of these chemicals on brain function.
Researchers created lab-made heart cells from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, exhibiting abnormal structure and response to calcium signals. The cells responded to beta blocker treatment and gene therapy approach, offering potential for improving drug screening and saving lives.
The study found that 60% of planned dams would disrupt the free-flowing nature of many Andean-Amazon rivers, threatening the region's biodiversity. Nearly half of the proposed dams were classified as high impact, highlighting the urgent need for strategic planning and evaluation of new dams.
The Clinical Research Forum announced Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Awards for outstanding projects tackling difficult health problems, including disease prevention, cystic fibrosis, leukemia, and cardiovascular disease. The top prize was awarded for HIV transmission prevention through early treatment.
A new study found that repeated blows to the brain can cause measurable changes in memory and thinking after a certain threshold, despite earlier brain volume changes. Athletes with more years of fighting and fights per year performed worse on memory and thinking tests.
A new study published in Science Translational Medicine suggests that an anti-inflammatory drug delivered via a nanodevice can improve CP symptoms in animal models. The findings indicate a window of opportunity for postnatal treatment to prevent the condition, with potential implications for future treatments of neurological disorders.
A study published in Neurology found that daily physical exercise and low-intensity activities like cooking and washing dishes can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. People in the bottom 10% of daily activity were more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's, highlighting the importance of regular movement.
Researchers have reclassified breast cancer into 10 subtypes based on genetic features, allowing doctors to predict tumor behavior and tailor treatment. The study also discovered several completely new genes linked to breast cancer, which could lead to the development of new drugs and treatments.
Researchers traced the evolution of mammalian diets across all species, including omnivores, and found that while some groups maintained steady diets, others changed their feeding strategies over time. Today's omnivores originated from ancestors primarily eating plants or animals but not both.
Concordia physicists have modified a battery-like enzyme to store energy for hours, not seconds. This breakthrough uses natural systems to develop sustainable, carbon-neutral energy converting systems that could lead to new medical applications.
New research reveals that a common genetic variation in claudin-14 increases the risk of kidney stones. The study found that alterations in the gene's activity influence stone development when calcium or salt intake is high, leading to an increase in urine calcium levels.
Researchers have predicted that a thin plate can be levitated using the Casimir force in certain circumstances. The repulsive force increases as the plate gets thinner, making it easier to lift, but experimental testing is needed to confirm the models.
Researchers have identified potential biomarkers for personalized medicine in lung cancer, such as a test that predicts patient response to certain treatments. The findings suggest that these innovative approaches could lead to more effective treatment strategies for patients with lung cancer.
Researchers at UCSB have discovered highly virulent Salmonella bacteria that can override vaccines and pose a significant risk to food safety. The discovery may help prevent outbreaks of food poisoning and mitigate the growing cost of foodborne illness in the US, estimated at up to $14.6 billion annually.
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory has found no neutrinos emitted from gamma ray bursts, contradicting 15 years of predictions and challenging one of the two leading theories for high-energy cosmic rays. The result opens a new window on cosmic ray production and the interior processes of GRBs.
Research suggests that CD36 protein, involved in cellular inflammation, increases harmful effects of LDL cholesterol. Mice infected with gum disease bacteria showed increased fatty plaque accumulation, while those with deleted CD36 gene remained plaque-free.
Researchers found DNA links between oral bacteria and failed hip or knee replacements in a study of 36 patients. The study suggests that treating periodontal disease may reduce costly joint replacements.
New stitching technique improves measurement of large aspheres in optics industry. Wavefront sensing technology enhances eye health diagnosis and treatment in medical industry.
Researchers have identified a microRNA, miR-625-3p, that can accurately diagnose malignant pleural mesothelioma with an accuracy of 82.4%. Additionally, high-dose radiotherapy has shown promising response rates for patients with disease confined to one side of the chest.
A two-year study is underway to identify genetic biomarkers that can predict autism risk in infant siblings. Researchers are examining DNA samples from children with autism and their older siblings to determine if there are any genetic markers that could provide a more accurate estimate of the sibling's risk.
Researchers created a new electronic memory technology using nanodots, achieving faster data writing and erasing than mainstream charge-storage memory products. The system uses discrete silicon nanodots to store and remove charges, enabling quick and simple data operations.
The team's research involves tapping into an unused range in the electromagnetic spectrum and a new microchip technology. This could reduce size and cost while creating images without multiple lenses inside devices.
A new analysis reveals that pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) power-generating stations could meet the energy needs of half a billion people by tapping into the global potential of rivers flowing into the sea. This sustainable process requires no fuel and releases no greenhouse gases.
A recent survey conducted by UCSF researchers found that half of young adult tobacco smokers also use marijuana, with usage highest among Caucasians and rural residents. The study suggests that smoking cessation programs should take into account the effect of marijuana use in their treatment plans.
Researchers found that social experiments challenging college students' beliefs about alcohol's effects can lower quantity and frequency of heavy drinking. The interventions successfully reduced positive alcohol expectancies and decreased alcohol use.
A recent study by MU researchers suggests that the brain features a complex network of areas responsible for spiritual experiences, rather than a single 'God spot'. The study found that aspects of spiritual functioning are related to increased activity in the frontal lobe and decreased activity in the right parietal lobe.
A new study by Binghamton University researcher Louis Piper reveals that metal oxides can be tailored to meet specific needs, enabling efficient energy generation and flat screen display technology. By adjusting the band gap of these materials, researchers can optimize their electronic properties for various applications.
Research of almost 4000 teens in Quebec, Canada found that secondary school kids using speed and ecstasy are prone to subsequent depression. The findings were independent of previous bouts of depressive symptoms or other drug use, suggesting additive or synergistic adverse effects of concurrent use.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new medication, perampanel, that selectively targets proteins in the brain to control excitability and significantly reduce seizure frequency. The study, involving over 700 participants, found that roughly one-third of patients experienced a more than 50% reduction in seizures.
The formation of the Great Unconformity may have triggered the Cambrian explosion due to changes in seawater chemistry. Biomineralization evolved as a response to increased continental weathering products, leading to the appearance of shells and skeletons in complex life.
A joint study by Group Health Research Institute and Bastyr University found that type 2 diabetes patients receiving naturopathic care had lower blood-sugar levels and improved moods. Naturopathic physicians provided counseling on diet, exercise, and stress management to add to conventional care.
The university is launching a new initiative to advance desert agriculture using an olive tree forest planted in Wadi Mashash. The project aims to produce food, cash crops, and sustainable farming practices.
Scientists developed a passive vaccine that reversed cocaine overdose symptoms in laboratory mice, showing promise as a potential antidote. The vaccine uses pre-formed human antibodies against cocaine, binding to circulating molecules and preventing brain damage.
Researchers created a graphene lens that focuses electrons by controlling the focal length through geometry changes. The graphene lens uses strained graphene to shepherd electrons to a fine point, allowing for high-speed data exchange without traditional cable restrictions.
University of Missouri veterinarian Leah Cohn has discovered an effective treatment for cytauxzoonosis, a deadly feline disease spread by Lone Star ticks. The treatment has been shown to save about 60 percent of infected cats, offering new hope for cat owners nationwide.
The £10 million funding will support research into low-cost solutions for rural broadband access and applications for rural health monitoring, emergency communications, and social TV-Virtual Classrooms. The ultimate aim is to develop solutions that can scale to benefit millions of users in both the UK and India.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona and BSC successfully extracted structural information from a triple DNA helix in gas phase, preserving its biological environment. This breakthrough could lead to the development of antigen therapy based on these DNA structures.
The Tauber Institute at University of Michigan is the first winner of the INFORMS UPS George D. Smith Prize, recognizing its effective and innovative preparation of students in operations research. The institute provides interdisciplinary education uniting engineering and business, preparing students for top-level practice.
A five-year study involving Quebec secondary school students found that recreational MDMA and meth/amphetamine use places teenagers at greater risk of experiencing depressive symptoms. The study suggests long-term negative influences of synthetic drug use on mental health.
Researchers found that sertraline, a common antidepressant, accumulates in yeast cells and triggers membrane curvature, suggesting a potential alternative mechanism for depression treatment. The study supports the idea that depression is linked to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) secretions, not just serotonin.
A study reveals that cod population increases in central Baltic lead to expansion into adjacent marginal systems, impacting local ecosystems through trophic cascades. This phenomenon underscores the importance of linking local and regional processes for ecosystem management.
A study of Vietnam-era veterans found that those who experienced more combat-related killing had twice the likelihood of reporting suicidal thoughts. The relationship held even after adjusting for PTSD, depression, and other factors.
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal found that RAAS inhibitors significantly reduced all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with high blood pressure. The treatment was shown to have a beneficial effect on mortality, particularly for ACE inhibitor users.
A team of Johns Hopkins bioethicists argues that federal restrictions on low-risk clinical comparative effectiveness research should be streamlined, despite the proposed changes only covering social and behavior research. The authors believe this type of research poses little risk to patients and needs more efficient oversight.
A new 13-posture Tai Chi designed for wheelchair users has been developed to promote mobility, self-esteem and overall health. The program was featured in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has shown benefits for individuals with disabilities, including lower back and hip movements, upper body mobility and internal circulation.
Researchers found that mothers who exceeded gestational weight gain recommendations were more likely to have children born larger than average for gestational age. The study suggests that addressing weight gain during pregnancy can reduce the risk of complications for both mother and baby.
A combination of treatments including a polymer scaffold, neurotrophin-3, and chondroitinase enhanced the benefits of neural stem cell transplantation in rat models. This approach promoted nerve growth, improved cell survival and migration, and restored neuroplasticity.
A new study found that preschoolers' reading skills improve when teachers make specific print references while reading aloud, such as pointing out letters and words. This small change leads to significant gains in reading skills one and two years later, including higher word recognition, spelling, and comprehension scores.
A new study found that communication problems between patients and their care providers are more prevalent than traditional medical errors, leading to significant harms. Patients often take positive steps to address issues, but some become more hesitant to seek care.
Researchers have discovered a low-cost, efficient alternative to silicon-based solar cells using nanotube electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. The single-wall nanotube arrays show high electroactivity and potential for cheaper production than platinum, leading to improved efficiency and robustness.
A study published in Journal of Virology identifies apoptosis, the programmed death of a host cell, as the trigger for high-level viral replication of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). This discovery suggests that KSHV can sense and respond to changes in its host cells, granting it an evolutionary advantage.
Researchers found genetically modified Bt corn has lower colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal roots compared to non-Bt corn, but no impact on root biomass or shoot growth. This study contributes to understanding the effects of GM crops on non-target soil organisms and highlights the need for further research.
Researchers at University of Nottingham use math to study gibberellin hormone affecting plant growth, identifying key interactions between feedback loops. This work aims to improve crop varieties and address global food security concerns.