A study published in PLOS ONE found that dung beetles perform a specific dance before moving away from the pile, upon encountering obstacles, or when losing control of their dung ball. This behavior is crucial for efficient navigation and allows them to quickly move away from intense competition.
A new study published in Psychological Science reveals that people's internal mental maps are oriented towards the north, improving accuracy in spatial tasks. The study found that participants performed best when facing north and drew differently oriented maps, but only used their memorized map as a reliable source of spatial information.
A study found that nursing home residents with dementia who use average doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are three times more likely to have an injurious fall than those who don't. The risk increases as people take higher doses of SSRIs, and combining them with hypnotic or sedative drugs further elevates the risk.
Scientists have identified a crucial molecule called PfSET10 that instructs malaria parasites to employ their 'invisibility cloak' to hide from the immune system. The research sheds light on how Plasmodium falciparum causes disease and evades the immune response, with implications for developing targeted treatments.
Researchers at Boston University identified genetic variants that play a critical role in conferring exceptional longevity. The study found that genes associated with age-related diseases also influence survival beyond 100 years of age.
Researchers found that HIV induces expression of the COX-2/prostaglandin E2 inflammatory pathway in cervical tissue samples from Haitian women. Aspirin's potential role in preventing cervical cancer is being explored as a simple and inexpensive solution for high-risk populations.
A team of scientists has detected a faint 'satellite galaxy' 10 billion light years away, making it the lowest-mass object at such a distance. This finding could help confirm or reject theories about the structure of the cosmos.
A study by Sam Houston State University found that nearly 16% of college students in Texas have played the Choking Game, a dangerous behavior involving manual choking or suffocation. The majority of participants were males under 15 years old, and most learned about it from peers.
Researchers have accurately quantified molecular-scale interactions between gases and water molecules in gas hydrates. The study shows that hydrates can hold hydrogen at an optimal capacity of 5 weight-percent, meeting the Department of Energy standard.
Researchers republished a 1996 behavioral priming study, but found the initial results were only seen when experimenters' expectations of participant behavior were manipulated. Environmental cues, including the experimenter's behavior, appear to affect participants' behavior.
A large regional hospital in Ghana saw a 34% reduction in maternal mortality and a 36% reduction in stillbirth after QI initiatives were put into place. The study highlights the importance of leadership, staff morale, training, patient flow, and basic equipment in improving healthcare standards.
A new study found that cognitive training can increase openness to experience in older adults, a trait previously thought to be fixed. Participants showed significant improvement in pattern recognition and problem-solving skills, as well as increased openness.
A new, investigational colorectal cancer screening test developed by Mayo Clinic and Exact Sciences Inc. has shown highly accurate results in detecting precancerous tumors and early-stage cancer, improving the chances of better outcomes for patients. The test is noninvasive, patient-friendly, and requires no bowel preparation or diet c...
Researchers at UCSB have discovered the optical transparency limits of transparent conducting oxides, essential for efficient optoelectronic devices. They found that tin dioxide weakly absorbs visible light, making it useful as a transparent contact, but absorption increases with ultraviolet and infrared light.
A new article published in Perspectives on Psychological Science reveals that Norman Triplett's 1889 experiment was incorrect, with children reeling a reel rather than reeling in a fishing line. The study also shows that Triplett was not the first psychologist to investigate social influence.
Researchers have found evidence of ancient popcorn in Peru, dating back 6,700 to 3,000 years. The discovery provides valuable information on the evolution of corn and its adaptation to different environments.
Research found that clearing trees and shrubs within 40 meters of houses afforded the greatest protection against house loss during Black Saturday fires. However, intensive fuel reduction can be expensive and have environmental impacts, and is not a guarantee of safety.
A major public health campaign is needed to address the epidemic of unnecessary suffering caused by acute and chronic pain in the US. The need for improved education, particularly among physicians, is highlighted as a key challenge.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center discovered genetic signatures associated with bile duct cancer, which may account for nearly a quarter of tumors. The findings suggest that growth-enhancing mutations in two genes could be treated with targeted therapies.
Pregnant women exposed to armed conflict have a higher risk of giving birth to underweight babies due to psychological stress. The study, conducted in the Israeli-occupied territories during the Second Intifada, found a positive association between conflict-related fatalities and low-birth weight children.
Researchers at Mass Eye and Ear aim to understand the origins of eye allergies, a major health problem in the US. They hope to uncover more effective targets for treatment, potentially offering new hope for those suffering from ocular surface allergy.
A new study reveals human land use activity is altering the Amazon basin's regional water and energy cycles. The research found signs of transition to a disturbance-dominated regime in the southern and eastern portions of the basin, linked to high-frequency wildfires and climate change.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified the specific immune response induced by cigarette smoke as the cause of emphysema. The study found that antigen-presenting cells and genes like interleukin-17 play a crucial role in the development of the disease.
Researchers developed contact lenses that release anesthetics over time to ease pain after PRK surgery. The vitamin E-loaded lenses extended the release of three commonly used anesthetics from under two hours to up to a few days.
A new review article suggests that medications targeting T-cells can significantly benefit patients with psoriatic arthritis, reducing symptoms and improving joint function. Surgery may also be considered for patients with joint deformities, offering insights into outcomes and risks for those who progress to joint destruction.
A unique three-year project, Super-Identity, aims to tackle identity issues associated with unreliable and counterfeit identification. The study estimates that UK identity fraud costs over £2.7 billion annually.
A recent study found that the number of deaths at home in the UK has increased significantly since 2004, with more than one-fifth of total deaths occurring at home. The trend reversal is particularly notable among those aged 85 and over, who are now dying at home more often than ever before.
Researchers have identified a novel connection between two RNA-binding proteins, Musashi1 and HuR, which plays a significant role in glioblastoma development. The study suggests that disruptions to these regulatory processes can contribute to tumor formation.
Researchers found that blocking the mutated BRAF protein in melanoma cells sets off a cellular cascade in other skin cells with pre-disposing mutations, leading to accelerated development of skin squamous cell carcinomas. The study provides molecular insight into this side effect and suggests strategies to prevent secondary tumors.
A study published in Leukemia identifies a molecular braking process that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells use to evade chemotherapy, allowing them to survive treatment. When this brake is removed, AML cells die, providing hope for improved survival rates for patients with the disease.
A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that comorbidities such as high blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte disorders, and congestive heart failure significantly raise hospitalization costs and length of stay for hip fracture patients. Recent weight loss or malnutrition also had a major impact on hospitalizat...
Research at McGill University found that metformin reduces the cellular mutation rate and accumulation of DNA damage, a key mechanism in carcinogenesis. The study suggests that metformin's anti-cancer effects may be linked to its ability to reduce reactive oxygen species production in mitochondria.
A new study in mice reveals that limiting oxygen supply can alleviate cognitive impairment caused by radiation therapy. Mice exposed to radiation showed significant improvement in spatial learning after undergoing chronic hypoxia treatment.
Researchers developed a new combination drug therapy that successfully suppressed hepatitis C genotype 1 infection in a significant proportion of patients. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, focused on treating patients who had not responded to previous treatment with PEG-interferon alfa and ribavirin.
A Spanish researcher reveals that the country's transportation infrastructure is built radially around Madrid, contrary to economic and productive activity. The network was primarily funded by the state budget, and investments are made in routes with commercial activity through tolls or private levies.
A new study found that women over 67 with normal bone mineral density scores do not need to be re-screened for osteoporosis for 15 years. This longer timeframe is based on the estimated time it takes for 10% of women in the highest bone density ranges to develop osteoporosis.
A new study by engineering researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute demonstrates the impact of viscoelasticity on the collective behavior of swimming microorganisms, such as H. pylori. The findings suggest that human mucus and saliva may have evolved to disrupt the ability of harmful bacteria to coordinate.
Researchers analyze tension between controlling sea level rise and surface temperature changes using a model with 120 scenarios. Abrupt cooling from sea-level rise mitigation could be more damaging than increasing temperatures, and strategies differ for each goal.
Mephedrone users in the UK are eager to try new legal highs due to declining quality and rising prices. They prioritize substance purity over scientific research and online reviews, with some seeking a safer alternative to the already illicit substance.
A bizarre 'tulip-shaped' creature, Siphusauctum gregarium, has been discovered in the Canadian Rockies from Middle Cambrian Burgess Shale fossils. The unique filter feeding system challenges current knowledge of animal evolution.
A new study by Leticia Marteleto found that the educational gap between black and white Brazilians remains significant, with whites completing nearly a year more education. The study suggests that large gains in family resources among black adolescents and shifts in racial labeling have contributed to the closing of the gap.
A new study found that unhappy employees are more likely to have unmet psychological needs, including autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When supervisors provide options and support, employees' basic needs are met, leading to higher happiness and well-being.
A University of Missouri researcher and his colleague found major methodological flaws in numerous studies claiming men outperform women in math due to the 'men are better at math' stereotype. The study's findings suggest that interventions based on this stereotype may be doing more harm than good.
A natural substance extracted from Moringa oleifera seeds can purify water by binding to sediment and killing microbes. The process uses functionalized sand, providing a simple, locally sustainable way to produce storable drinking water.
The USAN Council assigns simplified generic names to drugs, using 'stems' that describe characteristics such as function and shape. Examples include '-prazole' for antiulcer medications like esomeprazole.
A recent study by Michael McClean and colleagues reveals a strong link between PFC levels in office air and blood concentrations, suggesting offices as an important exposure environment. The findings also indicate that workers in newly renovated buildings receive higher doses of PFCs.
A novel method has precisely pinpointed the location of proteins that read and regulate chromosomes, providing a high-resolution view into gene regulation. This breakthrough could lead to a deeper understanding of normal human development and disease mechanisms.
A new study uses advanced imaging to measure tricuspid valve anatomy and predict the severity of leakage. The research found that pulmonary arterial pressure, annulus area, and papillary muscle position are correlated with the grade of tricuspid regurgitation.
MIT researchers have found a way to increase the speed of the Fourier transform, a fundamental concept in information sciences. The new algorithm improves on the fast Fourier transform by dividing signals into narrower slices of bandwidth, allowing for dramatic tenfold increases in speed in certain cases.
A study by University of Utah researchers found that the bacterial toxin alpha-hemolysin triggers bladder cell shedding and disables immune responses, contributing to persistent urinary tract infections. The toxin causes degradation of proteins involved in cellular responses to infection, leading to more severe clinical symptoms.
A new study reveals that married couples experience fewer benefits in well-being, health, and social ties compared to unmarried cohabiting couples. Over time, the advantages of marriage decrease, while cohabiting couples report greater happiness and self-esteem.
A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that people perceive good intentions as having a positive impact on their physical experience. The research demonstrated the power of benevolence in reducing pain, increasing pleasure, and making things taste better.
New research from Uppsala University found that a specific brain region is more activated in response to food images after one night of sleep loss. This increased activation may contribute to a person's appetite sensation and affect their risk of becoming overweight.
A University of Maryland study finds that smart growth tools in Maryland are too weak, frustrating developers and land-use advocates who want to build within existing urban areas. The researchers identified storm water regulations, citizen opposition, and inadequate public facility ordinances as major barriers to development.
Scientists have documented how ALK positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer becomes resistant to crizotinib, a previously effective treatment. Researchers now aim to develop combination therapies to tackle this resistance and improve patient outcomes.
The global abortion rate has stagnated since 2003, while the proportion of unsafe abortions continues to increase. Despite a decline in unwanted pregnancies, the number of abortions in developing countries rose significantly between 2003 and 2008.
Researchers found that reward prediction error is the result of a complex interplay between dopamine and GABA neurons. The interaction helps calculate reward prediction error, shedding light on how behaviors can be reinforced through normal brain function or by damaging neuron interactions.