A new study by University of Leeds and Euromed Management School Marseille ranks 17 leading car makers according to their sustainable value. Fiat topped the list with improved efficiencies in 2008, while Toyota and BMW suffered worst results in a decade.
A new species of acorn worm, Spartobranchus tenuis, has been discovered in Canada's Burgess Shale fossil beds, providing a crucial missing link in understanding hemichordate evolution. The discovery pushes the fossil record back 200 million years to the Cambrian period, shedding light on biodiversity during this time.
Researchers aim to identify genetic markers for improved dairy cow fertility, focusing on cyclicity and pregnancy timing. The study will involve collecting DNA from cows in five states and analyzing variables such as time from calving to conception.
A new study emphasizes the importance of reducing pesticide reliance and adopting integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to minimize exposure in children. The research found pesticides in all homes studied, with traditional pesticides ineffective in controlling infestations.
Researchers have developed an algorithm that can explain how traditional medicinal compounds work in the body, bridging the gap between Western and traditional medicine. This breakthrough may lead to more effective treatments for various diseases.
A national survey found that 80% of Canadians agree the food industry should reduce salt content in food. The majority supported public health interventions, such as lowering sodium in grocery foods and educating consumers about healthy eating habits. However, there was little support for taxation or subsidies related to sodium reduction.
A study found that tobacco companies have evaded the FDA's ban on 'light' cigarette descriptors by adding color-coding to 'light' packs, allowing smokers to still identify their brands. The companies also failed to apply for approval for these products as required by law.
Experts at Yale University and the American Academy of Neurology call for limiting or ending the use of memory-enhancing drugs in healthy children. They cite concerns over long-term health safety, incomplete decision-making capacity, and risks of over-medication and dependency.
Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have determined the complete three-dimensional structure of HNF-4alpha protein, a key player in rare diabetes. The study reveals new pockets that could be targeted with therapeutic drugs to alleviate MODY1 symptoms.
The SAGE Junior Faculty Teaching Award recognizes promising new faculty members in the criminal justice and criminology disciplines. Ten award winners will receive grants to support their travel to the ACJS annual meeting, fostering a network of support at the beginning of their career.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University developed a new MRI method that can differentiate white matter from gray matter in the brain in about 12 seconds. The technology uses unique fingerprinting to identify tissues and diseases, promising faster and cheaper scans with more accurate diagnoses.
Researchers developed computer models that accurately predict how patients with failing HIV treatments will respond to new therapies, identifying alternative effective regimens. The models were trained on thousands of global clinic data and showed promise for improving patient outcomes in resource-limited settings.
Two CMEs were emitted by the sun on March 12-13, 2013, traveling at speeds of around 400 miles per second. These events are expected to have a minimal impact on Earth, with no particle radiation and limited geomagnetic storm effects.
Researchers found that mice deficient in glutathione, a molecule essential for cellular protection against oxidations, had impaired parvalbumin neurons when stressed at young age. However, treatment with N-acetylcysteine from birth onwards protected these neurons, suggesting a potential preventive measure for psychiatric disorders.
A team of researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand analyzed the movement patterns of bipedal kangaroos and wallabies, comparing them to quadrupedal marsupials. They found that bipedal marsupials experience greater joint forces in their hind limbs, which provides insight into the structural uniqueness of these joints.
Researchers unveil public domain DNA sequences and statistical models to engineer microbes with precision, increasing reliability and accuracy. This technological foundation enables more precise genetic engineering in the future.
A team of astronomers has found galaxies producing stars at a prodigious rate when the universe was just a billion years old. The discovery, enabled by the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), provides valuable data for refining theoretical models of star and galaxy formation in the early universe.
The ReWalk powered exoskeleton restored ambulatory function to patients with thoracic-level spinal cord injury. Dr. Alberto Esquenazi won the 2012 AAP Excellence in Research Writing Award for this study.
Astronomers found dust-enshrouded, star-forming galaxies that were previously unknown in the universe. The newly discovered galaxies produce stars at a prodigious rate, creating thousands of new suns annually.
A University of Michigan study reveals that probiotics can reverse the effect of stress on gut microbiota, reducing inflammation and alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The study also highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome through lifestyle changes.
Researchers found a cross-talk between two types of brown fat that helps maintain body temperature and protect against diet-induced obesity. The study's findings may lead to new therapies that increase BAT formation to treat obesity.
A team of researchers studied water under extreme conditions, discovering its structure transforms from ordered to disordered at supercritical temperatures. This knowledge provides an improved estimate of water's behavior during geochemical and geological processes.
Engineers have created a new technique to strengthen magnesium alloys, introducing nano-spaced stacking faults to increase strength by approximately 200 percent. The resulting material has high specific strength, making it lighter than steel but stronger, with potential for replacing steel in some applications.
A new study at the University of Vienna found that Goffin cockatoos wait up to 80 seconds for higher-quality food rewards, showing impressive self-control. The birds traded their initial items more often for their most preferred food and adjusted to differences in trade value, mirroring human economic decision-making.
The American Academy of Neurology warns against prescribing neuroenhancing drugs to healthy children and teens, citing potential long-term health risks and impaired decision-making abilities. The organization emphasizes the importance of exploring alternative solutions, such as improved sleep habits, nutrition, and study regimens.
A new study by UT researchers identified specific ways to increase physical activity in children, such as mandatory PE and playground design changes. The study found that these approaches can help kids achieve the recommended daily activity goal of 60 minutes.
Researchers at Kansas State University are part of a $6.5 million collaboration to refine biomass conversion into better biodiesel, jet fuel, and other value-added products. The project aims to optimize every component used in the production cycle for closed-loop systems without emissions.
Astronomers use ALMA to detect 26 distant galaxies, revealing the most distant detection of water in the cosmos. The findings show that star birth bursts occurred much earlier than previously thought, with some galaxies as bright as 40 trillion Suns.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that positional flexibility is valuable in baseball, accounting for up to 15% of a team's runs. By being able to adapt to injuries, teams can field a strong lineup and continue winning games.
NASA's TRMM satellite detected a significant drop in rainfall intensity of Cyclone Sandra from March 11 to 13, with the heaviest rain falling south of the storm's center. The weakening tropical cyclone moved into an area of high wind shear and cold sea surface temperatures, expected to transform it into a cold-core system.
GW researcher Xiaoyan Zheng is studying the mechanism involved in the hedgehog signaling pathway's regulation of cell-cell adhesion and segregation. The goal is to find better ways to treat diseases related to these interactions, such as cancer.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that normal prion protein PrPc plays a crucial role in regulating iron metabolism, which may contribute to neuronal death in CJD. Iron imbalance caused by prion aggregation leads to neurotoxicity and brain cell death.
A recent UK survey found a significantly lower incidence of accidental awareness during general anaesthesia, with one episode known to anaesthetists in every 15,000 procedures. The study suggests that the use of brain monitoring technology is also low, with only 2% of anaesthetists routinely using it.
A new study by North Carolina State University and NOAA found that harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico become two to seven times more toxic when phosphorus levels are low. This increased toxicity allows the algae to defend themselves against grazing zooplankton, posing a threat to human health and ecosystem.
Researchers found a high prevalence of low T3 syndrome before and after surgery, associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes and depressive symptoms. Perioperative low T3 syndrome was linked to a five-fold increased risk of poor outcome.
In a new study, researchers found that young pigs prefer a diet rich in soybean meal, with a clear preference for this ingredient over other meal options. Replacing soybean meal with canola meals could lead to cost savings in pork production, but glucosinolates may impact feed quality.
Researchers developed a computer-based process to identify dangerous head movements that lead to concussion-related brain injuries. The approach could lead to new medical treatment options and sports rule changes to reduce brain trauma among players.
A meta-analysis found a small excess risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with H1N1 flu vaccination. However, the benefits of vaccination significantly outweighed the risks. The study analyzed data from 23 million people vaccinated in the USA during the 2009 pandemic.
A new US survey reveals that one in five Americans (20%) have no religious preference, a significant increase from 1990. The General Social Survey found that only 8% of respondents were raised without religion, but 3% identified as atheists.
The invasive dog-strangling vine (Vincetoxicum rossicum) has been found to compete successfully with native Canadian plants in both disturbed and undisturbed areas. Despite cooler temperatures, the plant produces an equal number of seeds as it does in its typical range.
A new splicing technique offers an automated way to align and connect multicore optical fibers with minimal signal quality loss. This method enables the production line deployment of these high-capacity fibers, which can carry up to 10 terabits per second.
A study led by the University of Nottingham found that dietary selenium deficiency is likely to be endemic in Malawi, causing disease and premature death. The researchers recommend introducing a programme to enrich nitrogen-based soil fertilisers with selenium to increase levels in maize.
A single concussion can cause lasting structural damage to the brain, according to a new study. Brain atrophy has been found in patients one year after mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), which may explain long-term neurological and psychological symptoms. The study also identified specific brain regions affected by MTBI.
Engineers at AT&T Labs have devised a new technique to enable 400 Gb/s signals to be transmitted over ultra-long distances using current-generation systems. The team successfully transmitted 400 Gb/s signals over a record-breaking 12,000 km distance.
A new paper highlights how political conflict can lead to disrupted treatment, promoting resistance to antiretroviral drugs and treatment failure. The authors call for further research and planning to mitigate the effects of treatment interruption in strife-prone nations with high rates of HIV infection.
Researchers discovered that maxillary sinuses change size to accommodate different climates, affecting nasal cavity shape and function. The study found a significant correlation between nose size and sinus volume in both African and European populations.
The updated SEEG technique combines sophisticated imaging data reconstructions and robot-assisted surgery to provide essential information in complex cases of drug-resistant epilepsy. The new workflow reduces procedural error risks and improves accuracy in localizing the epileptogenic zone.
A single point mutation has been identified in Listeria monocytogenes that enhances its ability to grow at refrigeration temperatures and in high salt concentrations. This finding raises significant concerns for food safety, as the mutated strain could become even more formidable.
Recent research highlights a catastrophic acceleration in Canadian Arctic glacier melt, with projections suggesting up to 18% mass loss by the end of the century. Climate change is deemed effectively irreversible, according to model simulations.
Researchers identify semaphorin 3A as a sensitive biomarker for early detection of acute kidney injury, which can help minimize damage and potentially reverse it with rapid intervention. High levels of the protein in urine are accurate at identifying injured kidneys within two hours after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.
A study found that primary care management of obstructive sleep apnea was not clinically inferior to specialist care, with significant improvements in daytime sleepiness scores. Primary care management also resulted in lower costs, estimated at $1,819 per patient, compared to specialist care at $3,068.
A study led by Massachusetts General Hospital found that quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death. Despite potential weight gain, the benefits of stopping smoking far outweigh any associated risks, according to the research.
Researchers recalculated the commonness of Earth-sized planets in habitable zones of low-mass stars, finding nearly three times as many planets as previous estimates. The average distance to the nearest potentially habitable planet is about seven light years.
A recent study reveals that antibiotic-resistant E. coli strain ST131 is increasingly found in hospitals and long-term care facilities, particularly among older adults and nursing home residents. The study found that LTCF residence was the strongest predictor of ST131 infection, with LTCF residents having 8 times the risk of contractin...
A new research study published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution found that methods used by amateur citizen scientists compare well with traditional scientific methods for monitoring species diversity. The study detected greater marine diversity using a volunteer technique than traditional scientific surveys in the same waters.
A study from Boston University School of Medicine reveals that B cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines promoting insulin resistance and directly regulating inflammatory T cells. This discovery supports the exploration of FDA-approved B cell depletion drugs as novel agents to prevent obesity-associated inflammation and type 2 diabetes.
Two Indiana University researchers, Mark R. Kelley and Melissa L. Fishel, receive a $3.2 million grant to develop new therapies for pancreatic cancer. They aim to block a protein called Ref-1, which is involved in signaling between the tumor and its environment.
Researchers found that bitter melon juice restricts glucose metabolism and kills pancreatic cancer cells, cutting their energy source. The study used mouse models and showed a 60% reduction in disease development compared to controls.
A breakthrough in nanolaser technology has enabled the creation of room-temperature, electrically powered devices. This achievement paves the way for their use in various practical applications, such as improving electronic and photonic technologies.
A UF study found that a false head pattern on hairstreak butterflies is 100% effective against jumping spider attacks. The appearance of the pattern was thought to deter birds from attacking the butterflies, but the research suggests that small arthropods may influence butterfly evolution.