Professor Eamonn Keogh's wireless bug sensor technology uses a text message system to alert farmers about harmful insects, reducing pesticide costs and increasing profits. The Vodafone Americas Foundation Wireless Innovation Project award recognizes innovative solutions for social good.
Researchers found that alpha-synuclein fibrils can induce normal a-syn to misfold, leading to neurodegeneration. The study suggests that the corrupted form of a-syn can be transmitted from diseased neurons to healthy ones via white-matter tracks.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that socioeconomic and environmental variables are more effective than race or geography in predicting premature mortality. The researchers identified 22 key factors, including education, income, and job, which account for most of the differences between racial and ethnic groups.
New research reveals women are 40% more likely to be admitted to care homes than men, primarily due to their partners' age-related frailty. The study highlights the importance of considering age differences in future health planning as life expectancy gaps between men and women narrow.
A new study found that women's knees are more susceptible to injury due to differences in motion and nervous system processing. Women tend to have knee motions that make them more prone to ACL injuries, whereas men's knees process nerve impulses similar to explosive muscle usage.
Researchers investigate gum disease in young and old mice and find a drop in Del-1 levels is associated with increased gum disease. Understanding the effects of Del-1 on the immune system could lead to new treatments or prevention strategies for gum disease.
A study by the University of Minnesota and UTSA found that when men are scarce, women are more likely to delay starting a family and instead seek high-paying careers. Women who judged themselves as less desirable to men were also more likely to choose career over family.
A study published in JAMA found Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) to be more effective in reducing certain side effects and preventing cancer recurrence compared to conventional conformal radiation therapy (CRT). IMRT was also comparable to proton therapy, a newer technique.
Researchers analyzed data from 4,168 Medicare beneficiaries with advanced non-small cell lung cancer aged 65 or older. They found no significant difference in overall survival between those treated with bevacizumab and those receiving standard chemotherapy alone. The study's findings suggest that bevacizumab should not be considered th...
A new study published in The Anatomical Record reveals that some baleen whales have specialized fats associated with their jaws, similar to those found in toothed whales. This discovery sheds light on the auditory anatomy of these animals and challenges previous assumptions about their hearing systems.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine found that the genetic reach of autism extends to half siblings, suggesting a central role for genetic mechanisms in transmission. The researchers analyzed over 5,000 families with a child diagnosed with autism and found that half siblings were at higher risk than full siblings.
The USPTO awarded the 8-millionth patent for a medical device that bypasses damaged retina, helping blind patients see. Dr. Ram R. Shukla explains the process of patenting and its importance for innovation.
A new study by Lawson Research Institute found that one in 10 older fibrate users experienced a 50% increase in serum creatinine, an indicator of kidney health. The study suggests further research is needed to understand the mechanism behind fibrates' impact on kidney function.
Researchers from Complutense University of Madrid have mathematically shown that particles in magnetic fields can escape into infinity, never stopping. The phenomenon occurs under specific conditions, including the presence of current loops on the same plane and a large radius for the spherical surface.
A new clinical trial aims to develop a simple saliva test that can detect oral cancer in its early stages. The test has the potential to reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies and improve survival rates for patients with this common cancer, which affects over 60,000 people worldwide.
A recent study compared the adverse effects of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), proton therapy, and conformal radiation therapy in treating localized prostate cancer. The results showed that IMRT was associated with fewer gastrointestinal adverse effects and hip fractures but more erectile dysfunction, while proton therapy...
The Prospective Surveillance Model is a novel approach to managing pathological conditions resulting from cancer treatment by promoting early identification and treatment of known side effects. The goal of the model is to identify impairment at the earliest onset, alleviate impairment, or prevent it from progressing.
A new study uses a pathogen-based incidence approach to generate infectious disease burden estimates in Europe, attributing morbidity to specific pathogens. The methodology has limitations but shows the need for further research and integration of demographic changes and infection dynamics.
A recent study found that helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) improve trauma patient survival rates compared to ground emergency medical services (GEMS). The analysis of national trauma data showed that 12.6% of HEMS patients died, while 11% of GEMS patients died.
Global knowledge brokers convene to address challenges of sharing knowledge with policy makers, international donors, and practitioners. The event aims to create a legacy document capturing ideas on reducing the gulf between knowledge and action.
Researchers introduce a new 'prediction-based classification' system to reduce the burden of monitoring patients on ART, potentially saving 54% of CD4 tests. The algorithm can prioritize patients who may need routine CD4 count tests, increasing capacity and resources for life-saving treatment.
A new biostatistical tool, prediction-based classification (PBC), can help allocate resources to patients who need them most by linking CD-4 T-cell levels to other patient data. The study found that PBC could reduce the number of CD-4 tests needed during the first year of ART by nearly 57 percent.
A new study found that low-income preschoolers who receive regular, print-focused instruction show significant improvement in reading and spelling skills. The study suggests that encouraging young children to attend to and interact with print during the preschool years can foster long-term literacy development.
Research from Michigan State University highlights disparities in writing standards across US states, hindering the implementation of Common Core. The existing standards vary widely compared to the new set of common standards being implemented by most states.
A study of Chinese industrial workers found that long-term exposure to silica dust was associated with substantially increased mortality. The risk of death from all causes and specific diseases, such as lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, increased with increasing exposure levels.
A new study by Harvard researchers found a significant association between long-term fine particle air pollution exposure and higher rates of hospital admissions for pneumonia, heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes in older adults. The study used novel prediction models to estimate zip code concentrations of fine air particles and compa...
A new method to control a heat-loving microbe has been discovered, enabling its use as a miniature factory for producing biofuels and other materials. By inserting a gene from another organism into the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus, researchers can switch on lactate production at lower temperatures.
TNT Express won the 2012 Franz Edelman Award for its successful application of operations research to modernize its operations and reduce its carbon footprint. This led to significant operational benefits, including €207 million in savings between 2008 and 2011.
A new study by researchers at the University of Manchester found that orangutans build nests with a high degree of sophistication, using strong branches for structural parts and weaker ones for linings. The apes' choice of branch was dictated by its diameter and rigidity, indicating possible knowledge of mechanical properties.
A recent study found that caffeine can significantly increase tear production in people with dry eye syndrome. The research suggests that individuals who are sensitive to caffeine may benefit from using it as a treatment option, under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
A study reveals a £300 million annual funding shortfall for emergency laparotomies in England, with high death rates among elderly patients. The study also found that older patients were three times as likely to die in hospital and within 30 days of surgery.
A Dartmouth study found that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain scans can predict future weight gain and sexual activity in individuals. By analyzing the brain's response to appetite-driven cues and other triggers, researchers were able to identify correlations between brain activity and real-world behavior.
A review article from University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests that practices such as physical exercise, meditation, and certain forms of psychological counseling can change the brain for the better, leading to enhanced well-being. These changes can be measured using modern neuroscience tools.
A new study found that having a matched-background mentor increases feelings of belonging among ethnic minority students in STEM fields. The researchers surveyed high-achieving, ethnically diverse teens who attended a summer science camp and found that most underrepresented students preferred mentors from their own background.
Dinosaurs laid eggs, which limited their size and competitiveness compared to viviparous mammals. This led to a gap in body sizes, allowing smaller species to occupy niches, ultimately contributing to the dinosaurs' extinction.
Researchers create iPhage particles that penetrate cells using penetratin, targeting specific organelles like mitochondria and ribosomes. They discover a peptide ligand that disrupts ribosomal function, killing cancer cells and reducing cell survival in malignant and non-malignant cells.
Researchers from the Microbicide Trials Network reported two new findings from HPTN 035 data, presenting contradictory results to previous studies on hormonal contraception and HIV risk. The analysis of nearly 3,000 women found no association between hormonal contraceptive use and increased risk of HIV infection.
A new brain cancer vaccine tailored to individual patients has proven effective in a multicenter phase 2 clinical trial, extending their lives by several months. The vaccine combined with the drug Avastin showed promise in treating recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain cancer that kills thousands of Americans every year.
Researchers created a new configuration for neutron generators using flat geometry inspired by computer chips. The technology enables tiny medical neutron sources for cancer treatment and has potential applications in sensors and non-proliferation.
Research found that depressed mothers are more likely to excessively worry about their infants' nighttime behavior and spend more time with them, leading to increased night waking in the infants. Mothers with high depressive symptoms were also more likely to seek out their babies at night, despite the infant not appearing distressed.
A new study reveals that genetically improved loblolly pines have increased carbon uptake and stem-wood production, with 17% and 13% increases respectively, over a 40-year period. This enhancement of the trees' ability to act as carbon sinks is expected to mitigate climate change.
A study by the Institute of Physics suggests that requiring applicants to hold A-level physics qualifications could improve patient outcomes and diagnostic techniques. Medical schools are encouraged to revisit this requirement to provide students with a strong foundation in physics-based medicine.
A new study found that genes related to oxytocin and vasopressin receptors influence prosocial behavior, particularly in people who perceive the world as threatening. However, there was no direct connection between genes and charitable or social attitudes.
A large-scale study shows that introducing sophisticated biologic therapies early in treatment improves response to medication and reduces the need for surgery. Patients treated with biologic therapies earlier were significantly less likely to need steroids and required fewer surgeries related to their Crohn's disease.
Researchers found that adding lime juice to water treated with solar disinfection removed detectable levels of E. coli significantly faster than solar disinfection alone. The treatment time was comparable to boiling and other household methods, making it a potential effective solution for improving water quality in low-income regions.
Researchers at NUS identified a protein, FTIP1, that regulates flowering in plants under normal light conditions. Plants with mutant FTIP1 genes flowered later, but were restored to normal when the gene was functional.
A new study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that opioid addiction is associated with the highest risk of death, with a 5.71-fold increased risk compared to healthy individuals. The study tracked over 800,000 hospital records and found that alcohol dependence was related to the highest number of deaths overall.
Researchers at UOG are using classical biological control with Puccinia spegazzinii to combat the aggressive climbing vine, which threatens plant biodiversity on Pacific islands. The rust fungus is highly damaging to Mikania's leaves, petioles, and stems, eliminating the need for toxic herbicides.
A new study suggests that babies can flick an 'anti-risk switch' in women, causing them to become more cautious and less willing to take risks. However, this effect does not apply to men, who continue to be risk-seeking regardless of the presence of a baby.
A Harvard School of Public Health study found that positive psychological well-being reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The research also showed that individuals with a sense of well-being engage in healthier behaviors and have better biological function.
A new study from Southern Methodist University finds that the US government nutritional program WIC has no significant positive or negative impact on infant health. The study accounted for underreporting of WIC benefits and poor participation, which can skew analysis results.
Comparative clinical effectiveness research studies will benefit from increased patient and clinician involvement to inform health decisions. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute aims to produce high-integrity research that incorporates patients' voices, caregivers', and healthcare community members.
A new blood test can diagnose major depression in teens with high accuracy, distinguishing between subtypes such as major depression with anxiety disorder. The test's development holds promise for tailored treatments and reduced stigma around the disease.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a magnetic nanochain delivery system that explodes chemotherapy drugs inside tumors, killing cancer cells more efficiently. The technology reduced tumor growth by up to 90% and increased survival rates in rats with triple-negative breast cancer.
A new flood simulation tool, combined with the Dams Sector Analysis Tool, enables rapid visualization and training for emergency responders. The software can model catastrophic flooding in under 24 minutes, improving disaster management and preparedness.
A study of over 200,000 adults with serious injuries found that helicopter transport to trauma centers was associated with improved survival rates compared to ground emergency medical services. The study also showed that patients transported by helicopter were more likely to be discharged to rehabilitation or intermediate facilities.
A study proposes a triage tool to optimize lab capacity for patients with high CD4 failure likelihood. The model could help focus laboratory-based CD4 count testing on those who need it most.
A study by Indiana University found that HBCU faculty are more likely to engage students in 'educationally purposeful' activities, leading to deeper learning and better institution quality. This contradicts previous findings from student perspectives, highlighting differences in teaching practices between HBCUs and PWIs.
A team of researchers has proposed standardised guidelines for the recording and characterisation of microplastic particles in the sea. By analysing 68 scientific publications, they found that the results are difficult to compare due to varying methods used. However, they discovered that using a net with a mesh of 85 micrometres can fi...
Researchers found that testosterone supplements improved a six-minute walking test score by 50% compared to placebo, with gains lasting for at least one year. In addition, severity of heart failure improved in 35% of treated patients, compared to 9.8% of those on placebo.