A study of over 11,000 pregnant women found that dog ownership was associated with regular brisk walking and improved physical activity levels. While dog walking alone cannot reduce obesity rates, it may be part of a broader strategy to encourage exercise and healthy eating during pregnancy.
Researchers Jan E. Stets and Michael J. Carter propose a theory of the moral self that may help explain the ethical lapses in the banking, investment and mortgage-lending industries. Individuals with high moral identity scores are more likely to behave morally, while those with low scores are less likely.
Researchers found a cluster of young, blue stars encircling the first intermediate-mass black hole ever discovered in a dwarf galaxy. The presence of this star cluster suggests that the black hole was once at the core of the now-disintegrated dwarf galaxy.
A new technique, virtual ghost imaging (VGI), enables imaging even under adverse conditions by harnessing the properties of entangled photons. Researchers used a Bessel beam to create VGI images despite obstacles such as clouds, heat distortion, and offsets.
A new study by Oregon State University found that half of young adult Latino men and women acknowledge not using regular effective contraception despite expressing a desire to avoid pregnancy. Involvement in sexual decision-making is crucial for contraception use, with those who are more active tend to use male condoms.
Susan M. Gasser has been recognized for her outstanding scientific research on genome stability and epigenetics, as well as her commitment to mentoring women in science. She has made significant contributions to our understanding of chromatin biology and epigenetics, with implications for human disease, including cancer.
A study found organic farming increases strawberry pollination success, possibly due to increased insect abundance and diversity. Benefits were observed within two to four years after adopting organic practices.
Researchers say anti-clotting effect of heparin is well established but its impact on cancer patients remains unclear. The SAVE-ONCO study found semuloparin reduced thromboembolism incidence but had no significant effect on major bleeding and death.
Four new species of miniaturized lizards have been identified in Madagascar, with some species as small as match heads. The discovery highlights the importance of conservation efforts for microendemic species threatened by deforestation.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that college students and guppies exhibit similar behaviors when evaluating numerical ratios, suggesting an ancient evolutionary origin for human mathematical abilities. The results showed that the ability to distinguish between large numbers depends on the ratio between them.
Researchers have used a 'light echo' technique to demonstrate that Eta Carinae's Great Eruption was significantly cooler than expected, differing from previously thought supernova impostors. The team's findings suggest the eruption may have been triggered by alternative models, warranting further investigation.
The malaria parasite changes into a banana shape before sexual reproduction to evade the human immune system and survive in the circulation. This finding provides new targets for vaccine or drug development.
Daily doses of a vitamin D compound did not reduce enlargement or improve impaired functioning of the heart's main pumping chamber in patients with kidney disease and cardiac enlargement. However, the study found some evidence that paricalcitol may reduce the incidence of heart failure.
The study focuses on Caldicellulosiruptor obsidiansis, a bacterium that breaks down organic material at high temperatures. Researchers found that growth on switchgrass prompted the organism to express new proteins and enzymes involved in plant cell wall deconstruction.
A team of researchers from Carnegie Institution, GoodPlanet Foundation, and World Wide Fund (WWF) has produced the first large-scale, high-resolution estimates of carbon stocks in remote and fragile Madagascar. The study found that humid mountain forests had the highest carbon densities, while deforestation reduced standing carbon stocks.
A Georgia Tech study identifies specific words and phrases that predict whether workplace emails are sent to someone higher or lower in the corporate hierarchy. Certain phrases consistently signal a power relationship between two people, with an estimated probability of chance occurring less than 1 in 1,000.
Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have discovered a subtype of ovarian cancer that is susceptible to anti-angiogenic drugs, which block blood vessel formation. The subtype accounts for approximately one-third of all serous ovarian cancers and may benefit from therapies currently being tested in other cancers.
Patients with chronic kidney disease did not show significant improvement on measures of cardiac structure, function, or left ventricular mass after receiving vitamin D compound paricalcitol for up to 48 weeks. However, the study found fewer hospitalizations for cardiovascular events in the treatment group compared to placebo.
A new orthopaedic smart device provides real-time diagnostic data to enable precise post-surgical diagnosis and follow-up. The device, made possible by tiny wireless sensors, can monitor load, strain, motion, temperature, and pressure in orthopaedic implants.
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that creating psychological distance can reduce cognitive difficulty and anxiety in choice situations. By manipulating abstract thinking and body postures, researchers discovered that leaning away from a screen or task can make decisions feel less difficult.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of previous studies found that short-term exposure to major air pollutants is associated with an increased risk of heart attack. The study suggests three possible mechanisms for this association: inflammation, abnormal cardiac autonomic system regulation, and increased blood viscosity.
Researchers at MDC Berlin-Buch have identified a receptor for cholesterol that plays a key role in forebrain development. The study found that defective binding sites can lead to severe anomalies, highlighting the crucial importance of cholesterol metabolism in embryonic development.
Analysis of North American prickly pear cacti species shows widespread hybrid origin, likely resulting from western and southeastern US parental species hybridization. Genome duplication contributed to the distribution pattern seen today.
A cash transfer programme reduced HIV and HSV-2 infection prevalence by two-thirds in school-age girls, supporting changes in self-reported sexual behaviour. The intervention also showed no significant difference for individuals who dropped out of school.
A Wayne State University researcher is developing a model to focus on the causes of everyday MS symptoms. The goal is to provide more effective treatments and improve daily functioning for patients.
Researchers found evidence supporting the single-water-source hypothesis for Yellowstone's geysers, suggesting a common source of subsurface water. Additionally, gravity waves in the Martian mesosphere were linked to the formation of carbon dioxide clouds, which could impact global climate models.
New research shows bumblebees can learn where to find best food resources from both fellow bees and rival honeybees, challenging the idea that social learning is unique to same-species interactions.
Researchers found that curcumin prolongs the lives of fruit flies with Alzheimer's symptoms by up to 75% and maintains their mobility. However, it did not dissolve or decrease the amyloid plaque, but instead accelerated its formation by reducing precursor forms.
Researchers found that abduction strained the ACL more than anterior translation and internal rotation increased load equally with anterior translation. The combination of all three factors resulted in an additive effect, increasing average ACL strain significantly.
A new approach to tackling terrorism suggests using public health measures to prevent radicalisation, focusing on education, addressing social isolation and promoting inclusion. Researchers argue that the current criminal justice system has failed to prevent terrorism and may have alienated vulnerable individuals.
A new questionnaire has been designed to assess individual differences in bilinguals when changing languages. Research identifies several factors contributing to language switching, including proficiency, context, and unconscious changes. The study's findings suggest that bilingualism may have cognitive benefits, but more research is n...
A new study from the University of Chicago Press Journals reveals that consumers' product choices are driven by their goals, which can be activated through subtle cues in the environment. The authors develop a model explaining why consumers change their minds or switch loyalties.
A new software app, Caffeine Zone, developed by Penn State researchers, can help people find the best time to consume caffeine for a mental boost without disrupting their sleep. The app provides personalized graphs based on individual caffeine intake and drinking habits.
Research by Hong and Sun found that consumers prefer romance movies when they feel physically cold, as a need for psychological warmth is triggered. This association was confirmed in both laboratory studies and an analysis of movie rental data.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that end-of-life care activities prioritize individualized care and communication with patients and families. The researchers identified the importance of creating a comfortable environment and being present with patients, especially near the end of life.
A study by Gérard Liger-Belair reveals the role of carbon dioxide in champagne bubbles, from second fermentation to gas escape through tiny bubbles popping on the surface of wine. The research provides clues for fine-tuning champagne production, including adjusting bubble size based on fermentation sugar levels.
A study published in Psychological Review found that people with the best 'memory foraging' strategies are better at recalling items. Participants were asked to name as many animals as they could in three minutes and were compared to a classic model of optimal foraging, the marginal value theorem.
Researchers at UCSF Orthopaedic Trauma Institute have found a promising method to regenerate bone using cartilage grafts, which can integrate with the host bone and vascularize it. This approach could offer an alternative to traditional bone grafting techniques, which can result in poor integration and osteonecrosis.
A recent study has quantified the impact of unsafe water and poor sanitation on child and maternal mortality. The research found that countries with inadequate access to safe water had significantly higher death rates among children under five, with a difference of 4.7 deaths per 1,000 children.
A team of researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center has developed a vaccine that can prevent MRSA infection of orthopaedic implants. The antibody targets a component of the cell wall, preventing normal bacterial cell division and formation of sequestrum, a hallmark of osteomyelitis.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that repeating experiences can renew appreciation for both the object of consumption and oneself. Participants reported enhanced emotional lives and mental health benefits from re-consumption, with various motivations including self-reflection and social sharing.
Tropical Cyclone Jasmine is lingering near Tonga, causing gusty winds and heavy rainfall on the islands. The cyclone's strongest thunderstorms and heaviest rainfall are concentrated in its northeastern quadrant.
Researchers at Arizona State University have identified over 1,200 proteins in umbilical cord blood, providing valuable information for the identification of biomarkers. The findings represent a significant advance in the discovery of early warning indices of disease and toxic exposure.
A University of Oregon-led research team warns that climate change and fuel buildup may trigger a perfect storm of wildfires in the US West. The team reevaluates fire-management practices to address a fire deficit due to rising temperatures, droughts, and increased tree mortality.
A protein called biglycan is essential for stabilizing synapses at the neuromuscular junction, a process crucial for muscle control and long-term health. Research suggests that biglycan could be a potential therapy for motor neuron diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy and ALS.
The US government and schools have made moderate progress in developing nutritional standards for foods sold in schools, but have failed to comprehensively address the issue of food marketing influencing children's diets. The Institute of Medicine recommended that public sector stakeholders support a healthful diet for children and ado...
A new study finds that seismic faults close to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have reactivated after a magnitude 9 earthquake in March. The researchers warn of a higher risk of large earthquakes disturbing the region, which could potentially cause another nuclear disaster.
Researchers analyzed Caribbean coral extinctions during Plio-Pleistocene era and found strong relationships between past regional extinction events and modern coral vulnerability. The study suggests that extinction events depend on biological characteristics of the coral species, improving the accuracy of extinction-risk assessment.
According to investigators at Washington University School of Medicine, antibiotics do not reduce symptoms in sinus infection patients, with most people getting better on their own. The study suggests treating symptoms and watchful waiting may be more effective than antibiotic treatment.
Researchers found that Cardiac MRI identified a new or alternate explanation for arrhythmias in 50% of patients, often revealing inflammation of the heart muscle or small heart attacks that went undetected. CMR outperformed standard cardiac imaging tests in diagnosing cardiac causes, leading to improved patient outcomes.
The study identified biologically relevant targets in breast cancer using mRNA sequencing, revealing novel and unannotated transcripts. The GW research team discovered common and differentially expressing transcripts between three types of breast cancer, shedding light on the disease's underlying mechanisms.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people experience happiness through excitement and calmness, with younger individuals focusing on excitement and older individuals on calmness. Consumers' experiences of happiness drive their product choices, with marketers advised to consider individual differences.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that depressed heart attack patients are more likely to be re-admitted for cardiac events and have longer hospital stays, with 14% more days of hospitalization compared to happier counterparts. The study suggests that investing in extra psychiatric support may have a large positive payoff.
The authors argue that HAART roll-out's cost-effectiveness has been significantly understated, as economic analyses fail to account for its role in preventing HIV transmission. This oversight highlights the need for expanded 'Seek, Test, Treat and Retain' programs to control HIV and AIDS-related morbidity, mortality, and transmission.
Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine identified a new group of compounds that block signals from EP2, a receptor involved in inflammation. The compounds could potentially treat neurological diseases such as epilepsy and stroke.
A team of scientists has discovered that two competing noncoding RNAs play a crucial role in regulating FLO11 gene expression in yeast cells, allowing them to adapt to different environments. This finding provides new understanding of location-dependent gene expression and its significance in various biological processes.
The study aims to determine whether the MYC gene family is involved in the development and chemotherapy-resistance of high-grade serous ovarian cancers. Changes in MYC-family proteins have been identified as a potential cause of at least 15-20 per cent of these cancers, associated with poor clinical outcomes.
Studies show that people's preferences for things on the same side as their dominant hand affect abstract evaluations, such as value and intelligence. This phenomenon, known as the body-specificity hypothesis, highlights how our bodies influence our minds.
The European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE) is advocating for policy changes to address the negative impact of EU legislation on childhood cancer treatment. The current directive has increased bureaucracy and administration, making it time-consuming and expensive to conduct clinical trials.
A study by North Carolina State University found that most college athletics departments lack formal relationships with campus groups working on sustainability initiatives. Athletic department representatives understand the importance of sustainability, but few have incorporated sustainable practices into their strategic plans.