Research finds that self-esteem, optimism, and perceived control influence depression in both stroke survivors and their spouse caregivers. High levels of these factors in one partner can lead to lower levels of depression in the other. Interventions targeting both partners may improve patient outcomes.
Researchers from San Francisco State University found that nitrogen boosts the growth and toxicity of phytoplankton that produce a potent toxin called domoic acid. These diatoms can cause Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning in humans and death among marine mammals and seabirds.
The European Space Sciences Committee (ESSC) has released its position statement on the ESA council meeting at ministerial level, commenting on the impact of decisions taken. The ESSC recommends prioritizing scientific return in the Science Programme and reiterates its support for European involvement in the Global Exploration Strategy.
A team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside, has discovered a genetic mechanism that explains how Phytophthora pathogens compromised the potato plant's immune system during the Irish Famine. The study reveals that RNA silencing pathways are suppressed by effectors, leading to an increase in susceptibility to disease.
Researchers mapped brain regions where individual differences occur, finding variability in areas integrating information and controlling attention. This study provides insights into brain evolution and development, potentially linking diversity of human abilities to specific brain region expansions.
A study by University of Exeter researchers reveals tropical forests' sensitivity to climate change, with significant carbon release expected if climate models are inaccurate. The team found a correlation between year-to-year variations in carbon dioxide concentration and long-term changes in tropical forest carbon storage.
Scientists have developed a cheap and quick method to detect mercury contamination in water using a mobile phone. The technique involves placing a special sheet in the water, which changes color in the presence of mercury. Photographing the sheet with a mobile phone can even quantify the concentration of mercury.
Researchers found that cues for rewards can instantly transform motivation, with even unpleasant events becoming desired. The study used salt appetite to demonstrate how powerful neural mechanisms can turn a repulsive cue into an attractive one.
A Mayo Clinic-led study has identified two biomarkers, IGFBP-7 and TIMP-2, that can detect acute kidney injury in urine, allowing for early intervention and improved patient outcomes. The study's findings have the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and management of this deadly condition.
Researchers found evidence of a 'penultimate outburst' in a massive star before its final detonation as a supernova, providing the first causal link between the two events. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of what triggers a supernova.
A large international study of over three million births found that higher particulate air pollution levels were associated with increased rates of low birth weight. The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, highlights the need for policy makers to address air pollution to prevent serious health consequences.
A study found that more than a third of adults with COPD were prescribed benzodiazepines, despite warnings about their potential harm. The most vulnerable group, those with severe COPD, used the medication at the highest frequency and with the most repeat prescriptions.
A new study finds that happiness increases with age, but a person's overall level of well-being depends on when they were born. Life satisfaction increased over time for each birth cohort, while those born earlier in the 20th century had lower levels of well-being due to economic conditions.
A study found that traumatic brain injury complications, including cerebral vasospasm and intracranial hypertension, are prevalent among US combat soldiers. Researchers analyzed data from 122 patients with traumatic brain injuries and found that over 40% had high intracranial pressure.
Research found Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have a higher risk of intracerebral hemorrhage before age 45 compared to non-Hispanic whites. The study revealed that Native Hawaiians were 54 years old when they had a hemorrhagic stroke, whereas non-Hispanic whites were 68 years old, highlighting the disparity in vascular health.
A recent issue of ZooKeys published 27 new moth species from North and South America, including the Neotropical tigermoth family. These discoveries expand the geographic reach of moth diversity in the region.
A new study found that women who accurately perceive their heartbeats are less likely to view their bodies as objects, reducing the risk of eating disorders and other mental health issues. The study provides valuable insights into the importance of internal body awareness for maintaining positive body image.
A University of Miami study reveals that people tend to seek higher-calorie foods when they perceive tough times, consuming nearly 40% more than neutral messages. In contrast, low-calorie food prompts a 25% reduction in consumption.
Researchers from the Marine Biological Laboratory discovered that lancelets have melanopsin-producing cells, which are involved in non-visual light-dependent functions. Studying these cells provides insight into the evolutionary history of circadian receptors and their role in regulating biological clocks.
Researchers found that African American and Latino men who have sex with men voluntarily used health-related Facebook groups to discuss HIV knowledge, stigma, and prevention, leading to increased requests for home-based HIV tests. The study suggests social media can be a useful tool for collecting and analyzing data, saving money and i...
A study suggests that Toronto can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 31-71% by 2031 by implementing a low-carbon urban infrastructure plan. The aggressive scenario includes retrofitting all existing buildings, using renewable heating and cooling systems, and proliferating electric cars.
A study published in Psychology & Marketing compared consumers' perceptions of luxury across nine countries. In the US, luxury goods are bought for self-fulfillment, while in France, they're valued for their exclusivity and high price. Other European countries like Germany, Italy, Hungary, and Slovakia prioritize quality over prestige.
Researchers are using smartphone pressure sensors to develop better weather forecasting techniques, which could significantly improve short-term forecasts. The PressureNet app collects data from Android devices, including Samsung Galaxy S3 and Nexus 4 smartphones, and Motorola Xoom tablets.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new method called MixMAP that uses existing public databases to reveal substantial new information about genes associated with high cholesterol and heart disease. The approach provides opportunities for developing new treatments and identifying people at greatest risk.
A new study led by Rice University suggests that episodic flare-ups of volcanoes at key locations could be driving Earth's repeated flip-flopping between greenhouse and icehouse states. The researchers found that these continental-arc volcanoes release enormous amounts of carbon dioxide, which drives the climate cycles.
A large study found that one in 20 cases of pre-eclampsia may be linked to increased levels of ozone during the first three months of pregnancy. Mothers with asthma are more vulnerable, and ozone exposure was associated with a higher risk of premature birth and pre-eclampsia.
A new book edited by Emilio Moran joins social and natural scientists to explore human role in addressing health challenges, managing forests and animal species. The study highlights the importance of understanding people's motivations and decisions in solving environmental problems.
A 397,000-year-old fossil found in Serbia reveals that southeastern European human ancestors evolved differently than those in western Europe due to the absence of glaciers. The study confirms southeast Europe as a critical 'gate to the continent' where humans, plants, and animals sought refuge during glaciations.
Despite dire predictions, global health funding from the US and other donors appears to be holding steady. However, a new report highlights discrepancies between donor priorities and global health needs, suggesting that funding may need to be reassessed.
Researchers found that tiny single-cell organisms are spreading rapidly through the world's oceans, stabilizing coastlines and reefs with their calcareous shells. By 2100, these protozoa may spread closer to the poles, occupying ecological niches left by corals.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that older adults spend less time fixating text and show lower brain activity when using e-readers compared to paper books. This is likely due to better text discrimination on backlit displays, benefiting older readers. No issues with comprehension were reported.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that wearing a nerve stimulator for 20 minutes a day can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. The device delivers electrical stimulation to the supraorbital nerve, resulting in fewer days with migraine and a significant reduction in attack frequency compared to sham treatment.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a clean coal technology called Coal-Direct Chemical Looping (CDCL) that chemically harnesses coal's energy while capturing nearly all the carbon dioxide produced. The technology, which uses tiny metal beads to carry oxygen, has been successfully tested for 203 continuous hours.
A new study at UT Dallas is investigating whether hearing aids can improve balance and prevent falls in people with hearing impairments. The research project aims to identify individuals at risk of falling and evaluate the effects of different hearing aid technologies on balance and gait.
Researchers at the National Oceanography Centre revealed a unique cold volcanic vent in Antarctica, differing from classic hydrothermal vents. The study used high-resolution camera platforms to image the seafloor and detected a low-lying plume of shimmering water, indicating hydrothermal fluid seeping through sediment.
A genetic variant in the LPA gene has been identified as a major contributor to aortic valve calcification, increasing the risk by over 50%. Researchers found that people with this variant have higher levels of lipoprotein (a) cholesterol particles, which can lead to calcium deposits on the aortic valve.
New UNH research reveals vicarious supervisory abuse negatively impacts co-workers of employees who suffer from 'second-hand' or vicarious abusive supervision. The study found greater job frustration, coworker abuse, and lack of perceived organizational support among affected workers.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that women who are more aware of their internal bodily signals, such as their heartbeat, tend to have lower levels of self-objectification. This increased awareness is linked to a reduced tendency to think of one's body as an object, rather than a source of physical competence and health.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are working to improve construction safety in the US by studying Australian practices. They've found that eliminating hazards at the design stage and promoting communication between constructors and designers can significantly reduce injury rates.
A new study projects that Alzheimer's disease cases will increase from 4.7 million in 2010 to 13.8 million in 2050, with 7 million cases expected in people aged 85 or older. The increasing number of dementia cases poses a significant burden on society and highlights the need for more research, treatments, and preventive strategies.
Contact with captive sea turtles poses a risk of exposure to toxic contaminants and zoonotic pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The study highlights the importance of awareness among health-care professionals and the public to prevent and control the spreading of sea turtle-related disease.
Researchers at Penn State have successfully created single layers of the rare mineral tungstenite, forming triangular structures that exhibit photoluminescent properties. These findings hold promise for various optical technologies, including light detection and laser technology.
A new study reveals that the UK dog population produces an estimated 3.7 billion Toxocara parasite eggs per day, contaminating public environments and posing a risk to human health.
Researchers have found a decreasing trend in intense rainfall frequency in the Ebro basin since 1955. This decrease is attributed to a general decrease in rainfall erosivity, suggesting persistent long-term climate changes.
A training program to adjust motor reflexes may help individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries walk more efficiently. The study found that participants who could suppress hyperactive reflexes experienced significant improvements in their walking speed and gait symmetry.
Three studies report on the use of wearable cameras to measure sedentary behavior, active travel, and nutrition-related behaviors. Findings suggest that wearable cameras provide a more accurate assessment than accelerometers in classifying sedentary behavior and can help identify under-reporting of calorie intake.
A new process developed by MIT engineers can produce clean water at relatively low cost, making it a crucial step towards U.S. energy independence and addressing the issue of produced water from natural gas wells. The technology has been patented and is expected to be commercially available within two years.
Scientists at Salk Institute have discovered a new way for plants to coordinate their growth by sharing chemical messages, overturning conventional views of metabolic regulation. This finding has implications for breeding better crops and treating metabolic diseases.
Researchers found that high-dose, school-based interventions increased active minutes during PE classes, after-school programs, and walking to school. Community initiatives also led to improvements in school cafeteria lunch menus offering fresh produce.
Researchers developed a small-molecule inhibitor Y16 that blocks a hard-to-target part of a protein complex linked to several types of invasive cancer. The compound, combined with Rhosin/G04, suppresses RhoA cell signaling and downstream molecular events fueling cancer growth in breast cancer cells.
Researchers identified HRG1 protein to safely transport heme-iron, a crucial component of red blood cells. This finding offers promise for new treatments for iron deficiency and parasitic worm infections.
Researchers at NREL are developing advanced electric vehicle technology, renewable energy resources for charging, and grid integration to accelerate adoption. Smart charging capabilities enable efficient use of the grid, while bi-directional charging turns vehicles into grid storage devices.
Topological insulators have surface states that are conducting and possess unique properties, including the Aharanov-Bohm effect. Hybrid structures with superconductors show promise for new physics and technological applications, such as Majorana fermions and fractional Josephson effects.
A UCSF study of over 140,000 women aged 66-89 found that biennial screening led to fewer false positives and no increased risk of late-stage breast cancer. The study suggests life expectancy and co-existing illnesses should be considered when making cancer screening recommendations for older women.
A study published in JAMA found that corticosteroid injections did not provide significant long-term improvement for patients with 'tennis elbow', and neither option was effective compared to placebo. However, physiotherapy provided some short-term benefits despite no long-term effects.
Researchers are investigating how macrophage activation affects nerve damage in HIV patients, with the goal of developing biomarkers for early detection and potential treatments.
Astronomers Robert Gendler and Jay GaBany combined archival Hubble images with their own ground-based observations to create a detailed photo illustration of the galaxy. The resulting image reveals the optical component of the galaxy's 'anomalous arms' and provides insights into the galaxy's structure and composition.
A multi-university team, led by Ronald Riggs, conducted research to analyze the impact of cargo containers on buildings during tsunamis. They found that water does not significantly increase the load when a container strikes a building, and the weight of contents also doesn't matter much.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have created a way to monitor the survival of transplanted cells using nanoscale pH sensors and MRI machines. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize cell replacement therapies for conditions like liver failure and type 1 diabetes by providing reliable means of detecting dead cells.
Research by Rose McDermott and colleagues found that people with a genetic liability to experience higher levels of social fear tend to support anti-immigration and pro-segregation policies. Education also plays a significant role in shaping out-group attitudes.