Robert E.W. Hancock, a UBC microbiologist, has received the Prix Galien 2012 Research Award for his groundbreaking research on complex interactions between antibiotics and bacteria. His work focuses on developing new therapeutic approaches to infectious diseases like malaria.
A study by Temple University found a significant association between decreased kidney function and reduced global cognitive ability, abstract reasoning, and verbal memory. Researchers tracked 590 individuals over five years to examine the longitudinal impact of renal decline on cognitive functioning.
A biodegradable nanoparticle has been shown to halt multiple sclerosis in mice by tricking the immune system into stopping its attack on myelin. This technology also shows promise for treating Type 1 diabetes and airway allergies such as asthma.
Research published in Nature Climate Change finds that outdated UN climate negotiation structures hinder progress, particularly for poor countries. The study recommends capping delegation numbers to ensure broad representation and improve decision-making.
A Stanford/Yale study reveals that induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are not as genetically unstable as previously thought. The research found that the perceived changes in iPS cell genetic makeup were actually accurate reflections of existing, but previously undetected, genetic variations among human cells. This discovery is ...
Researchers used optogenetics to map the neural mechanisms underlying motivation, revealing multiple switches that control behavioral patterns. They identified key regions in the brain stem and prefrontal cortex involved in motivation, shedding light on the causes of depression and psychomotor retardation.
Researchers have developed a novel treatment that selectively inhibits the part of the immune system responsible for attacking myelin, reducing inflammation in autoimmune disorders like MS. The therapy uses microscopic particles to induce tolerance in animal models, showing potential for treating MS, type I diabetes, and food allergies.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new algorithm called ReFIT that greatly improves the speed and accuracy of thought-controlled computer cursors. The system, which was tested on rhesus monkeys, can control the cursor with speeds approaching those of real arms, while previous systems saw decline in performance over time.
A study by researchers at the University of Montreal found that children who attended daycare were 50% more likely to be overweight or obese between ages 4-10. The study suggests that diet and physical activity are key factors to reduce weight problems in children, regardless of whether they attend daycare.
By fabricating graphene structures atop nanometer-scale steps etched into silicon carbide, researchers have created a substantial electronic bandgap suitable for room-temperature electronics. The bandgap allows for the fabrication of transistors and other devices, potentially opening the door for developing all-carbon integrated circuits.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered that genetic variations are common in the body's tissues, with 30% of skin cells harboring copy number variations. This finding has significant implications for genetic screening and our understanding of human development and disease.
A study has identified two genetic factors linked to sagittal craniosynostosis, a condition causing premature skull closure. The findings may lead to prenatal screening and diagnostic tests or early interventions to prevent the condition.
Bochum clinicians successfully performed MRI scans on 326 children without sedation, achieving a 97% diagnostic relevance rate. The BLADE technique was used to minimize blurring and maximize image quality, allowing for successful examinations in 41% of three-year-olds, 91% of four-year-olds, and 98% of patients over five years old.
A UCSF study suggests an association between attentional state and length of telomeres, finding that those who report more mind wandering have shorter telomeres, while those who are more present in the moment have longer telomeres. Mindful meditation interventions may promote health by increasing activity of telomerase.
Researchers have developed a super hydrophobic coating that prevents water from sticking to an airplane's surface, reducing the risk of ice formation. The coating, containing microscopic particles of Teflon-based material, reduces energy needed to detach water, making it easy to remove.
Children who learn to swim early achieve better visual-motor skills and excel in literacy and numeracy. The comprehensive three-year study found significant differences between swimming and non-swimming children, regardless of socio-economic status.
Research shows that exposure to fine air particulate matter may be an environmental risk factor for reduced cognitive function in older adults. Cognitive decline was associated with every ten point increase in fine air particulate matter exposures, equivalent to aging three years.
The Skynet Junior Scholars program will train middle school educators to engage youths in telescopic observations of planets, asteroids, and galaxies. The program aims to introduce students to potential STEM careers during the critical middle school years.
Researchers reveal that a soccer 'knuckleball' shot causes a zigzag trajectory due to aerodynamic lift forces, not deformations at the site of impact. The study sheds light on the phenomenon's unpredictability and potential role in historic experiments trying to prove the Earth's rotation.
A MSU team is working to collar Baird's tapirs in Nicaragua to monitor their movements and determine how they can co-exist with local farmers. The research aims to find a balance between the animals' survival and crop protection.
A $20 million remote sensing instrument package built by CU-Boulder is being integrated onto a NASA Mars spacecraft. The package, designed to study the Martian atmosphere, will provide global context and help scientists rewrite textbooks about the upper atmosphere of Mars.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that a protein known for causing cancer cells to spread is also involved in brain repair. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests new avenues for treating degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer's.
The Rice team's device can modulate a signal at more than 10 gigabits per second, making it suitable for real-time video processing and high-speed data throughput. This breakthrough has the potential to scale up the capability of optical information processing systems by several magnitudes.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that experienced Brazilian mediums show lower brain activity in certain areas during psychography, a form of writing believed to be guided by spirits. The findings suggest an absence of focus, self-awareness, and consciousness during the trance-like state.
Josiah Tlou, a renowned educator and international expert, has been named Distinguished Global Scholar by the National Council for the Social Studies. His contributions include developing social studies curricula in Malawi and promoting education through partnerships with USAID and UNICEF.
Stephon Alexander, a prominent physicist at Dartmouth College, has received the Edward A. Bouchet Award for his work on theoretical cosmology and its impact on early universe studies. The award recognizes his efforts to promote diversity in physics research.
A parasitic worm, prevalent in Southeast Asia, is believed to cause infections that contribute to liver cancer. The grant-funded research aims to understand how the worm's granulin secretion enhances tumorigenic environments and may lead to the development of a treatment.
A growing body of literature suggests that alterations in regulatory T cell function may contribute to the development of sepsis. Manipulating these cells may offer a promising approach to treating patients with septic shock. The Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research reviews the current understanding of this complex immune response.
Researchers compare three immunoassay methods to detect EBV infection in patients with mononucleosis or immunosuppressed adult liver transplant recipients. The study suggests that molecular tests identifying early protein markers may have value for diagnosing active infection.
Researchers study 'The Cheerios Effect' to understand colloidal self assembly and its applications in pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and more. The team uses acrylic shapes and laser cutting to visualize particle motion related to meniscus dynamics.
A novel brain mechanism has been identified that mediates the inhibition of critical breathing muscles during REM sleep, causing snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. This inhibition affects the airspace behind the tongue, leading to self-suffocation episodes, which can occur hundreds of times a night.
A new four-year program aims to draw young artists into science careers by integrating art, biology, and physics. The project, Project STEAM, offers summer academies, science cafés, and activity kits to inspire interest in science among art-interested students, particularly girls.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed a world's first spin amplifier that can be used at room temperature, a crucial step towards spintronics. This achievement has significant implications for the future of electronics and data processing.
A Penn State researcher examined a low-income community project that provided WiFi and computer training, finding technology alone cannot address underlying issues. The study highlights the need for political action over reliance on tech to solve poverty problems like low wages and childcare access.
The new standard provides guidelines for regulators, industry, and others involved with scientific and commercial CCS projects. It establishes requirements and recommendations for environmentally safe long-term containment of carbon dioxide.
Researchers found that warmer springs are causing trees to leaf out earlier, threatening tree species like yellow birch and sugar maple. This altered landscape can lead to changes in wildlife populations, including deer replacing moose in the ecosystem.
Researchers found that ethanol-based liquids mix actively with water, unlike pure gasoline, posing a significant threat to aquatic life. The study's findings could impact response guidelines for biofuel spills and highlight the need for further investigation into ethanol's environmental effects.
Research found that adolescents spending long periods in sedentary activities are more likely to have low bone mineral content, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Participating in high-intensity sports like football or running can significantly reduce this threat, especially for girls.
A new study by University of Colorado and Loyola professors found that replacing a head coach for poor team performance has mixed results. On average, teams with poor records see a short-lived improvement in performance after a coaching change, while mediocre teams' records worsen.
A new study reveals that parents' dental fear can transmit to their children, with fathers acting as a major mediator in this process. The research analyzed 183 children and found that the father's emotional reactions significantly impact the child's perception of dentist anxiety.
Pediatric patients with noncardiac chest pain exhibit higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to those with innocent heart murmurs. The UGA research found a statistically significant increase in anxiety and depression among these patients.
Online role-playing game developers can increase player loyalty by providing gamers with more opportunities for social interaction, collaboration, and character ownership. The study found that strategies such as cooperative play and guilds built loyalty and social identity among players.
New membrane-biofilm reactor (MBfR) technology uses gaseous electron donors to reduce chemical costs and carbon footprint in wastewater treatment. Researchers are exploring the use of sulfur, methane, and other waste products as alternative compounds.
Caltech researchers discover that interfaces between metals can absorb radiation damage, maintaining material strength and ductility. Nanopillars with helium bubbles at interfaces show increased strength without embrittlement.
Researchers found that teams with less predictable, more distributed offenses and better player connections were more successful. The study analyzed games from the 2010 playoffs and gathered data on 16 teams, suggesting a link between team cohesion and success.
The study found significant genetic differences between Asian and European wild boars, as well as a high degree of similarity in immunity genes between pigs and humans. This discovery could lead to better breeding strategies, improved pork production, and increased potential for the pig as a biomedical model.
A new investigation into cooperative behavior suggests that humans developed skills to work with others due to mutual interdependence. This study proposes a two-step process where cooperation began in small groups and became more complex as societies grew.
A recent study found that exercise can alleviate high blood pressure in pregnant rats by restoring balance between vascular growth factors. Exercise also improved endothelial cell function and reduced oxidative stress without compromising fetal weight.
Researchers have developed a method to study hepatitis C medication side effects in Petri dishes and test tubes, potentially paving the way for safer treatments. The technique could help identify medications that eliminate all adverse effects and aid in personalized medicine.
The ORNL research team achieved virtual perfection at the oxide interface of two insulator materials by tweaking the formula for growing oxide thin films. This discovery has significant ramifications for creating novel materials with applications in solar cells, batteries, fuel cells, transistors and capacitors.
Researchers identified a common gene variant that influences the circadian clock, affecting people's sleep-wake patterns and even predicting their mortality time. The variant affects approximately an hour of daily rhythm, with those having the AA or AG genotype dying earlier in the day.
Researchers studied retrieval-induced forgetting, finding that impaired individuals recall more negative memories than positive ones. Historical knowledge transmission was also explored, showing a reminiscence bump influenced by sociocultural events.
French physicists study Venus fly trap's leaf snapping mechanism, shedding light on its rapid closure. They use microfluidic pressure probe to measure cell wall elasticity and osmotic pressure, helping understand the botanical bite.
Researchers created a model of penguin huddles that assumes each penguin aims to minimize its own heat loss, surprisingly revealing an equitable sharing of heat. The study found that even in self-centered behavior, the system relies on others for shelter, leading to fair outcomes.
A new discovery reveals that chromatin remodeling complexes (CRCs) are intrinsically turned on, requiring specific instructions to turn them off. This finding has significant implications for understanding how CRC mutations contribute to cancer development.
A new research study from Georgia Aquarium and Georgia Institute of Technology found that homarine is a useful biomarker for the health status of whale sharks, with metabolic profiles differing between healthy and unhealthy individuals. The study also identified over 25 other compounds that differed in concentration based on health.
A new study at the University of Copenhagen found that maternal vitamin C deficiency during pregnancy can stunt fetal hippocampus development by up to 10-15%, potentially leading to memory problems and learning difficulties. The damage cannot be reversed even with vitamin C supplements after birth.
The study analyzes the Taiwan mountain belt to understand the initial formation of topographic curvature in a geologically young region. It also presents new U-Pb zircon ages for rocks in the Jurassic Bonanza arc, Vancouver Island, Canada, shedding light on the timing and character of ancient volcanic and plutonic activity.
Tropical Depression 25W showed a small area of heavy rainfall near the South China Sea, with rates reaching 2 inches per hour, while the rest of the storm had light to moderate rainfall. The depression was weakening due to wind shear and land interaction, eventually dissipating over the Andaman Sea on Nov. 15.
The University of Michigan will establish M-STEM Academies with a five-year grant to attract diverse group of science, math and engineering students. The program aims to provide support system for high-ability students, increasing the number of STEM graduates with high GPAs.