The NSF has awarded $12 million to two sustainability research networks, one focusing on natural gas development effects and the other on sustainable climate risk management strategies. The networks aim to maximize benefits while minimizing negative effects on human communities and ecosystems.
A University of Minnesota study found that plants' ability to absorb CO2 may be restricted by nitrogen availability in typical soils. The research, published in Nature Climate Change, used a 13-year experiment at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve and suggested that limited fertility can reduce carbon sequestration capacity.
Researchers found that usually only three members of the group participate in the 'conversations', which help explain the group's ability to work together. The study also indicates how this behavior uses rumbles in a structured way to transmit signals, avoiding mass chaos at watering holes.
Researchers at the University of Manchester tested replicas of ancient Egyptian artificial toes, finding they may have been used as practical tools to help people walk. The tests showed that volunteers were able to achieve significant flexion with the prosthetic devices, indicating their potential use as early prosthetics.
Widespread telestroke adoption could provide optimal care to more Canadians, but current usage is limited. Research shows improved outcomes and cost savings in provinces like Alberta, where telestroke ensured rural patients received tPA at the same rate as those treated in larger centres.
A recent study published in JAMA found that vitamin D supplementation did not significantly reduce the incidence or severity of colds in healthy adults. The researchers studied 322 participants who received either a monthly dose of 100,000 IU of vitamin D3 or a placebo for 18 months.
Researchers discovered polymorphisms in HIV-1 that improve resistance to drugs, even without the medication. This finding has significant implications for treating HIV-1 infection, as it suggests newly infected individuals can be drug-resistant before treatment.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $17.6 million in grants to researchers exploring how humans and the environment interact, with a focus on invasive species, climate change, and sustainability.
The Ugandan government has created a comprehensive national mental health policy aimed at addressing the country's growing mental health crisis. The policy provides guidelines for mental health care and services, including hospitalization, treatment, and community-based interventions.
Researchers analyzed 12 genes and found no correlation with intelligence in nearly every case, contradicting previous studies that identified specific genes linked to intelligence. The study suggests that the genetic roots of intelligence may be more complex than previously thought.
A study of 486,000 head impacts in 450 athletes found that concussions diagnosed by trainers had a wide range of symptoms and symptoms onset times. The authors highlight the heterogeneity in concussion diagnoses and emphasize the need for further investigation to determine predictors of long-term risks.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a unique microscale optical device that can amplify optical signals, potentially increasing internet download speeds and reducing power consumption. The device uses the force generated by light to control a mechanical switch, enabling high-speed data transmission.
A recent UC3M study suggests that relative earnings affect job performance and happiness. When comparing oneself to peers who earn more, individuals tend to be unhappier and work longer hours. The researcher attributes this effect to social comparisons, highlighting the importance of considering colleague earnings when setting salaries.
A study found that over a third of refugee children showed signs of malnutrition and 15% of women experienced nutritional deficiencies during development. The population's diet is suboptimal for health due to excessive sugar consumption, starchy foods, and lack of fresh produce.
Two Calgary-based support programs are helping stroke patients by providing valuable resources and peer-to-peer connections. The In-Patient Support Program in Recovery from Stroke (I.N.S.P.I.R.E.S) connects hospital patients with peers who have experienced a similar recovery process. Meanwhile, the Patient and Family Passport for Strok...
Researchers have developed specialty contact lenses that can induce changes in eye growth and refractive state to reshape the eye in the desired way. These lenses successfully reduced the elongation of the eye causing myopia progression, providing a potential breakthrough in treating nearsightedness.
A Canadian study found that smoking after a stroke significantly affects problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Patients who quit smoking achieved the same scores as lifetime non-smokers, emphasizing the importance of quitting for cognitive health.
A $250,000 NSF grant will support the largest indoor hydroponic gardening initiative for youths in Boston's history. The program, led by Professor Michael Barnett, will teach 600 students about science, nutrition, and economics through soil-free gardening technology.
A study by Washington State University finds that genetically modified crops have led to a 25% increase in herbicide use, driven by the emergence of glyphosate-resistant weeds. The annual herbicide usage has grown from 1.5 million pounds in 1999 to 90 million pounds in 2011.
A Swedish study of over 45,000 patients with rheumatoid arthritis found an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, a blood clot that forms within a vein. The risk remained elevated for up to 10 years after diagnosis.
A study of Western Sahara refugees found that obesity affects more households than acute malnutrition, stunting, and underweight in children. The double burden of obesity and malnutrition is a significant issue in refugee populations, emphasizing the need for targeted food assistance programs.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals a strong correlation between low vitamin D levels and increased brain lesions in people with multiple sclerosis. Higher vitamin D levels were associated with lower risk of new lesions and active disease spots.
A collaboration developed and studied a community-based first response training program in a remote Indigenous community in northern Canada. The program, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Northern Ontario Academic Medical Association, improved emergency care outcomes.
Researchers successfully integrated a single functionalized photosynthetic protein system into an artificial photovoltaic device, retaining its biomolecular properties. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential for light-driven, highly efficient single-molecule electron pumps to act as current generators in nanoscale electric circuits.
A recent study by University of Missouri anthropologist Robert Walker found that violent conflict accounted for 30% of all deaths before contact with Europeans in Amazonian tribal societies. The study suggests that developing a shared sense of global community could help reduce major episodes of violence.
Researchers from the University of Vienna and Université Libre de Bruxelles have shown that in quantum mechanics, a single event can be both a cause and an effect of another one. This challenges our understanding of causality and has far-reaching implications for foundations of quantum mechanics, quantum gravity, and quantum computing.
A new study found that consuming one apple a day for four weeks lowered blood levels of oxidized LDL by 40 percent. The polyphenols in apples played a significant role in this effect.
Jenny Ross, a UMass Amherst biophysicist, has won the 2013 Margaret Oakley Dayhoff Award for her substantial contributions to biophysical research. The award recognizes her study of microtubules, which provide structure to cells and are crucial in various cellular processes.
Researchers have developed a new class of antibiotics that disarm pathogens instead of killing them, effectively treating antibiotic-resistant infections. By blocking the synthesis of endotoxin, a toxic product shed by bacteria, these antibiotics prevent inflammation and protect against potentially lethal infections.
Leading doctors challenge the assumption that more is better in US healthcare, citing $800bn annual cost due to unnecessary care. They identify factors such as malpractice fears, biased research, and financial conflicts of guideline writers contributing to overtreatment.
A study published in JAIDS found that starting antiretroviral therapy reduces food insecurity and improves physical health among HIV-infected Africans. Food insecurity is linked to higher rates of opportunistic infections, poorer immune responses, and increased risk of death.
Governor Romney's plan would increase uninsured in every state to 72 million, while the Affordable Care Act reduces it to 27 million; children and low- and middle-income Americans particularly affected
New guidelines urge better screening and treatment of sleep apnea to prevent stroke, with at least 60% of stroke patients experiencing the condition. Untreated sleep apnea increases second stroke risks and complicates rehabilitation outcomes.
A University of Washington bioengineer has developed a way to make regular paper stick to medically interesting molecules using a chemical trick. The new technique uses minimal equipment and can be used for any type of medical test, making it a potential cheap and easy solution for global health research.
Research identifies NF1 as a driver in more than 25% of non-inheritable breast cancers, associated with increased Ras activity and decreased NF1 levels. This finding may guide clinicians to targeted treatments for patients with NF1 mutations.
Researchers found local configurations of atoms that tend towards a more ordered structure compared to looking at the whole structure. The underlying order in metallic glasses may hold the key to creating new alloys with specific properties.
Two outstanding studies won top honors at the Canadian Stroke Congress, one discovering brain recovery abilities after stroke and another developing a diagnostic tool predicting clinical outcomes. The studies aim to improve treatment decisions and patient care.
Researchers found that pigs digest the phosphorous in fermented soybean meal (FSBM) better than conventional soybean meal due to fermentation's ability to release phytate-bound phosphorus. FSBM offers a 65.5% standardized, total-tract digestibility of phosphorus, compared to 46.1% in conventional soybean meal.
Researchers tracked nearly 2,000 youths in Chicago up to 5 years after release, finding over 45% of males and 30% of females had one or more psychiatric disorders. Substance use disorder was the most persistent and prevalent, with rates dropping less dramatically for girls than boys as they age.
The European Drug Initiative on Channels and Transporters (EDICT) project has enabled a major step forward in understanding membrane protein structures and functions. Over 30 proteins have been studied, with at least six potential new drug compounds identified.
Researchers from the Universities of Sheffield and Cologne have identified Aurora kinase as a critical protein in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) survival. Targeted therapeutic strategies focusing on Aurora kinase inhibitors show promise, particularly for patients with MYC gene amplification.
A special issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology explores radiology's role in health care reform, including utilization management, value-based payment systems, and patient-centered outcomes. The issue highlights the importance of radiologists being involved in directing overall health policy and budget discussions.
Researchers found that blocking galectin-1 in mice with established Kaposi sarcomas slowed tumor growth by suppressing blood vessel formation. This breakthrough holds promise for new treatment options for patients with KS and may also be effective for other diseases characterized by aberrant blood vessel growth.
A study by University of Montreal researchers found that games like Wii Sports and Dance Dance Revolution can add to regular physical activity among teenagers. The study suggests that exergaming, particularly amongst female gamers concerned about their size, could be a valuable avenue for addressing the obesity epidemic.
A home delivery of stroke rehabilitation program has resulted in improved cognition, communication, and physical function for people with stroke. The program has virtually eliminated waiting lists and saved approximately $1 million annually.
A new study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that smoking and heavy drinking can lead to an earlier onset of pancreatic cancer. The study analyzed data from 811 patients with pancreatic cancer and found that those who smoked heavily or drank excessively were diagnosed at a younger age than those who did not.
A large study found that moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of atrial fibrillation in older people with heart disease or advanced diabetes. The study involved over 30,000 individuals from 40 countries and found a significant increase in atrial fibrillation cases linked to higher alcohol consumption.
Ernst Fehr, a leading economist from the University of Zurich, has been awarded the 2013 Gottlieb Duttweiler prize for his pioneering work on fairness preference and its impact on human behavior. His research has challenged traditional economic theories and shed light on the importance of social norms and cooperation.
Researchers are investigating the mechanisms of atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients, exploring whether HIV infection itself is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A study using transgenic mice could provide insight into how HIV causes lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and potentially lead to new trea...
A study by Columbia University ophthalmologists and stem cell researchers found that induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can improve the vision of blind mice, suggesting a potential treatment for macular degeneration. The iPS cells were derived from adult human skin cells and functioned as normal retina cells in the animals' old age.
A decade of increased use of sophisticated imaging studies has made radiology a crucial aspect of healthcare reform, says Dr. James V. Rawson. Radiologists are exploring ways to reduce costs, optimize utilization, and improve patient care through the strategic use of imaging technology.
Biologists at Ruhr-Universität used a combination of laser microdissection and RNA-seq to analyze gene activity in the entire genome of certain fungi. They found that gene expression differs between tissue types, with some genes active only in specific tissues.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield and Sussex aim to build flying robots that can sense and act autonomously like bees. They will use computer models of the systems governing a honey bee's vision and sense of smell to achieve this goal.
Researchers developed positively charged nanoparticles that efficiently transduce into islet cells, enabling accurate monitoring via MRI. The study suggests these nanoparticles could be useful for evaluating graft survival and monitoring therapeutic interventions in islet transplantation.
A study presented at the Canadian Stroke Congress reveals that rehabilitation robots can detect post-stroke impairments more accurately than traditional methods. The robots improve detection of limb position, speed, and movement direction, enabling personalized therapy and treatment plans to remap the brain and restore function.
Researchers have discovered a new PET imaging agent that can predict the early response to treatment for head and neck cancer patients. The agent, 3'-deoxy-3'F-18-fluorothymidine (18-F-FLT), showed high accuracy in detecting therapeutic responses and identifying patients needing close follow-up.
A new strategy is used to determine if observational studies have unmeasured factors, finding that PPIs may not increase the risk of pneumonia. The study suggests that patient or provider characteristics, rather than medication use, are driving these associations.
A large study of nearly 200,000 females who received the HPV4 vaccine found that immunization was associated with same-day syncope and skin infections after vaccination. The findings support the general safety of routine vaccination with HPV4 in preventing cervical and other genital cancers.
University of Miami researchers identified a link between early non-verbal communication skills and the risk of developing autism. The study found that babies as young as eight months old who showed lower levels of referential communication were more likely to exhibit severe autism symptoms by age three.
A Phase II clinical trial led by Amir Toor shows promise in providing lasting protection against multiple myeloma progression after a stem cell transplant. The therapy forces cancer cells to express proteins that immune system cells can recognize as foreign, boosting the production of T-cell lymphocytes.