A study by Michigan State University found that there is a sweet spot – a group size at which the action is most effective. This sweet spot can increase and be more effective until free-riders weigh down the effort's momentum, while small groups can be powerful until individuals become overwhelmed.
Researchers develop a platinum-nickel nano-octahedra material that accelerates hydrogen and oxygen conversion to water, saving 90% of typical platinum usage. The unique atomic structure enhances reactivity while limiting lifetime.
A new minimally invasive procedure called CELS allows doctors to remove large and hard-to-reach polyps while keeping the colon intact. The procedure has been shown to have lower complication rates and shorter hospital stays compared to standard surgery.
A Yale project has made all of Medtronic's clinical trial research data for a bone growth product available for independent reanalysis. The project, known as the Yale University Open Data Access Project (YODA), aims to address the problem of unpublished and selectively published clinical evidence.
A study of 596 parents found significant differences in perceived positive effects of TV viewing between parents of ethnically/racially diverse children and non-Hispanic white children. Children watched an average of 462 minutes of TV per week, with African American kids watching more than other racial groups.
A new study in mice finds that low testosterone worsens obesity-related brain damage, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Obese mice with low testosterone showed more body fat, higher blood sugar levels, and poorer glucose tolerance than those with normal testosterone.
A new study from the University of New Hampshire finds that sibling aggression is associated with significantly worse mental health in children and adolescents. The study analyzed data from a national sample of 3,599 children and found that even mild instances of sibling aggression can lead to increased mental health distress.
Researchers at Northwestern University have found a molecular pathway that prevents the death of immature ovarian eggs due to chemotherapy, potentially preserving fertility and endocrine function. Adding a specific chemotherapy drug combination may protect young women's reproductive health during cancer treatment.
A two-year study by Oregon State University and the University of Pittsburgh found that bullfrogs can both carry and die from a deadly chytrid fungus. The research suggests that bullfrogs may not be the primary hosts for this pathogen, contrary to previous assumptions.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have found that bariatric surgery restores nerve cell properties altered by diet, allowing patients to better regulate digestion. The study may lead to new treatments that mimic the effects of gastric bypass without surgery.
A new study by University of Illinois Chicago researcher Gail Prins found that early exposure to BPA in the developing prostate increases the risk of later prostate cancer. Prostate stem cells become sensitized to estrogen through BPA exposure, making them more susceptible to cancer development.
Researchers identified a new molecular pathway involving the gene ZNF365 that may predict worse outcomes for patients with breast cancer. Abnormalities in this pathway can lead to genomic instability and an increased risk of developing tumors.
A study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that active surveillance and watchful waiting are safe alternatives to initial treatment for men with low-risk prostate cancers. These strategies can lead to better quality of life and reduced healthcare costs, with some patients experiencing up to 13 months additional quality-a...
A crowdsourcing project called CrowdHydrology is expanding to four states, asking citizens to monitor stream levels by texting data to researchers. The project helps track the flow of water through a broad region while engaging the public in science that matters daily.
A new subduction zone has been detected off the coast of Portugal, marking the beginning of a cycle that will close the Atlantic Ocean. The Iberian subduction zone will pull Iberia towards the United States over approximately 220 million years.
Hispanic preschoolers and adolescents viewed a high number of food and beverage ads on TV, with fast-food promotions prevalent on Spanish-language channels. The study highlights the need for continued monitoring of food marketing to Hispanic youth due to their higher obesity rates.
A study found that patients taking tasimelteon had a significantly higher rate of re-synchronization of their body clock, leading to improved night-time sleep and reduced daytime drowsiness. The medication addresses the root cause of Non-24 Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder in blind individuals by synchronizing their circadian clock.
Pyrocumulus clouds formed above a New Mexico wildfire, demonstrating their unique characteristics in satellite images. The Silver fire's pyrocumulus cloud reached altitudes of 10-11 kilometers and temperatures up to -45°C.
A team from EPFL has developed a computer algorithm that can create a 3D model of a simple room based on sound picked up by four microphones. The algorithm uses the differences in signal time to calculate distances between microphones, walls, and the sound source.
Two independent studies identified SIM1 mutations in obese patients, revealing a strong link between SIM1 dysfunction and severe obesity. Reduced SIM1 function was associated with increased food intake, altered nervous system dysfunctions, and Prader-Willi-like features.
Researchers at MIT develop approach to print synthetic materials with fracture behavior similar to natural bone, using computer-optimized designs and 3-D printing. The new material exhibits a fracture resistance of up to 22 times larger than its strongest constituent material.
A study reveals significant age disparities in HIV continuum of care, with people under 45 years less likely to be aware of their infection or have a suppressed viral load. Early diagnosis and prompt care are crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality, but many patients face barriers to access treatment.
A study at MassGeneral Hospital found significant disparities in the use of specialty services among African-American and Hispanic children with autism. Minority children were less likely to receive subspecialty care or procedures related to gastrointestinal issues, anxiety, or sleep disorders.
Researchers from the University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering have developed a new process called QuickRec, which allows steps in a process to be retraced to learn where bugs occurred. This prototype is a multicore record and replay system for multithreaded programs, enabling secure and efficient debugging.
Researchers found that customers may desire both revenge and reconciliation after a double service failure, depending on perceived firm motives. Effective ways to reduce negative customer response include explanations of the failure and apologies paired with compensation.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health conclude that community-based approaches are crucial in preventing childhood obesity. The study found that comprehensive interventions incorporating schools and focusing on both diet and physical activity are more effective in preventing obesity in children.
A study by UCSD researchers reveals that MCL-1 promotes normal heart function, but its absence leads to rapid heart failure and cell death. The protein's role in cancer treatment and potential cardiac toxicity are also explored.
A new study by The Endocrine Society finds that early exposure to BPA significantly increases the risk of both prostate cancer and a precancerous condition known as prostate epithelial neoplasia. The study used human prostate stem cells from organ donors to grow prostate tissue in a mouse model.
Scientists from Princeton University and Germany's Max Planck Institute report first experimental evidence of chimera states occurring naturally in a broad range of circumstances. The phenomenon can strike any process that relies on self-emergent synchronization, including clock pendulums, lightning bugs, and heart cells.
A new study in Social Science Quarterly finds that scandal-hit politicians typically don't regain their pre-scandal predicted margins of victory until four to six years after the event. Voter turnout increases following a scandal, but is linked to voters wanting to 'kick the bum out', rather than supporting the incumbent.
A recent review conducted by Oregon Health & Science University found that a bone growth product used in spinal surgeries offers no real benefit over traditional bone grafts and comes with potential harms. The review also identified reporting bias in studies funded by the product's manufacturer, Medtronic.
A new study published in The Endocrine Society's Annual Meeting found that testosterone therapy improved verbal learning and memory in postmenopausal women compared to placebo. Testosterone levels increased with treatment but remained within normal female range, with no major side effects reported.
Researchers identified a genetic translocation that can precipitate disease in adenoid cystic carcinoma, with many disease-associated mutations occurring in genes modifying DNA. Identifying individual mutations will aid in the development of personalized therapy, according to accompanying commentary.
Two independent reviews of rhBMP-2 trial data found no significant benefits and potential increased risks of cancer associated with its use. The studies suggest that patients should be counseled on the relative benefits and harms of each option, as the role of rhBMP-2 in spinal surgery is still being defined.
Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute developed a new drug, NitroMemantine, that boosts brain synapses lost in Alzheimer's disease. The drug restores synaptic connections between nerve cells, offering new hope for early and late-stage Alzheimer's patients.
The EROI study reveals a range of 64:1 to 112:1, similar to coal, suggesting shale gas is a viable energy source. However, environmental concerns and varying estimates of available gas remain.
A study found that teaching hospitals with higher physician-training activity have lower mortality rates but higher hospitalization readmission rates for key medical diagnoses. Safety-net hospitals serving low-income populations show the greatest disparity in readmissions.
A new study by Dr. Nav Persaud found a significant association between poor eating habits in kids ages three to five and their levels of non-HDL cholesterol, putting them at risk for cardiovascular disease later in life. Parents who allowed their children to snack on junk food and eat while watching TV were more likely to have this risk.
Researchers identified a key brain enzyme, prohormone convertase 2 (PC2), involved in opioid addiction. PC2 regulates endogenous opioids in the brain, leading to increased mu opioid receptor expression.
CNIC researchers have identified a possible treatment to block the deposition of calcium in arterial walls, a key symptom of premature aging disease. Chronic treatment with pyrophosphate inhibits calcium deposition, which is accelerated in mice with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.
The study found that the median time to activation of phase 1-2 trials decreased from 541 to 442 days, and for phase 3 trials from 727 to 395 days. The reforms led to faster initiation of NCI-sponsored trials, ultimately benefiting patients in need of new treatments for cancer.
A multidisciplinary approach combining preventive measures and regular monitoring significantly reduced ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT) infections in pediatric intensive care patients. The initiative, implemented at Nationwide Children's Hospital, resulted in a 53% drop in VAT cases compared to pre-intervention rates.
The Wayne State University REU program provides funding for 10 students to work with faculty mentors on cutting-edge research projects in astrophysics and particle/nuclear physics. The program aims to give students a real-life research environment and contribute to ongoing research projects.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that brain regions tailored to respond to voices are poorly connected to reward-processing circuits in children with high-functioning autism. This weakness may impede their ability to experience speech as pleasurable, contributing to communication deficits.
A study found that diet high in saturated fat increased LD αβ levels, while diet low in saturated fat decreased these fractions. The study suggests that lipidation states of apolipoproteins and amyloid peptides may play a role in AD pathological processes.
Researchers found that latency arbitrage, a common high-frequency trading practice, diminishes profits collectively for both regular investors and high-frequency traders in fragmented markets. They recommend regulatory changes to move to discrete trading, which would lead to more efficient trades and eliminate the latency arms race.
Researchers at University of Helsinki and ETH Zurich have solved the three-dimensional structure of RSV, a common cause of respiratory infection. The structural model provides valuable information for intelligent vaccine design, targeting the virus's fusion protein and matrix protein.
A new study by Prof. Yaniv Konchitchki finds that greater transparency in firms' earnings has a positive effect on the bottom line. The study establishes that transparency of a firm's accounting earnings is a telling indicator of the company's cost of capital and thus its valuation.
A large-scale study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that consuming more red meat over time increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The research followed over 149,000 participants and documented a 48% elevated risk for those who increased their red meat intake by more than 0.50 servings per day.
The AGA Research Foundation and Horizon Pharma awarded fellow and student abstract prizes to outstanding young researchers presenting at Digestive Disease Week. This year's winners include Jana G. Al Hashash, James D. Canavan, and Anne E. Powell, who received $1,000 awards each.
A new study suggests that testosterone therapy can reduce pain perception and tolerance in men with low testosterone levels caused by opioid pain relievers. The study found significant improvements in pain sensitivity during laboratory pain testing after testosterone administration compared to placebo.
A Kansas State University researcher has received a prestigious fellowship to study mosquitoes and their role in spreading malaria. The goal is to understand how the mosquito's immune system responds to parasites, which could lead to new methods to limit parasite development and potentially find a cure for malaria.
Researchers discovered unique copy-number variants (CNVs) in genes important to neuronal function, affecting 10 families with early-onset Alzheimer's. CNVs were found to be associated with novel gene mutations not previously linked to the disease.
A study of over 3 million Danes found that those admitted to hospital with an infection prior to a mood disorder diagnosis had a 62% increased risk of developing the condition. The immune system's impact on brain function may play a role in this connection.
A UT Arlington study analyzed eight documented cases of drones in journalism, revealing significant issues with privacy and trespassing. The research found that drones are increasingly being used for journalistic purposes, often to capture footage of protests or secretive government activities.
Researchers have developed a vaccine that provides at least 60 percent protection against rotavirus in newborns, significantly reducing severe dehydration and hospitalizations. The study, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, suggests that early administration of the vaccine could save thousands of lives annually.
A study of 1076 preschool children aged 3-5 years found associations between unhealthy eating behaviors and serum non-HDL cholesterol levels, indicating a potential early link to cardiovascular disease. The research suggests that promoting responsive feeding and healthy eating habits may help reduce the risk.
Research reveals pesticides are responsible for reducing regional biodiversity of invertebrates in streams and rivers by up to 42 percent. The study's findings highlight the urgent need for new concepts linking ecology with ecotoxicology to protect aquatic ecosystems.
A pilot study explores using iPad technology to facilitate remote interpreting for deaf and hard-of-hearing college students. The research found that this technology can enhance student engagement in co-op experiences, but challenges arise from connectivity issues.
A high-fat diet in pregnant monkeys resulted in permanently changed brain cells controlling food intake, leading to increased body weight and preference for fatty foods in their offspring. This study suggests a potential long-term impact on human health.