A new world record efficiency of 10.7% has been achieved in thin film silicon solar cells, using less than 2 micrometers of raw material, significantly reducing material costs and energy payback time.
A new longitudinal study found that toddlers whose parents praised their efforts more than they praised them as individuals had a more positive approach to challenges five years later. Process praise was shown to improve children's persistence and performance on challenging tasks.
A new study found that teaching teenagers that people can change reduces aggressive reactions to peer conflicts. The research suggests that believing people's traits are fixed leads teens to respond aggressively, but an intervention that teaches the potential for change can reduce this behavior.
Researchers developed a new analytical method to detect fatigue in wind turbines' parts while the turbine is in operation. This method distinguishes between mechanical properties and interfering noise, enabling precise detection of material fatigue or untightened screws.
A review and meta-analysis found that 3 or more doses of intermittent preventive therapy during pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine were associated with higher birth weights and lower risk of low birth weight. The researchers also noted that increasing resistance to the drug may require more frequent dosing.
A landmark clinical trial published in Ophthalmology found that genetic variants do not predict treatment response to Lucentis and Avastin for wet AMD. The study's findings clarify the value of genetic testing for this serious eye disease, contradicting previous hopes for personalized medicine.
A study of 61,443 Swedish women found that high calcium intake doubles the risk of cardiovascular death, particularly among those who take supplements. The researchers suggest that diets extremely low or high in calcium can disrupt normal blood levels of calcium.
Researchers have identified specific parent ants and their children in wild colonies, allowing them to study reproduction trends. The study found that only about 25% of colonies reproduce annually, with most relying on just a few successful queens.
A new study by SFU chemist Bingyun Sun and colleagues reveals that the number of sugars (N-Glycans) on membrane proteins correlates with their function in five animal species. The correlation has been conserved through evolution, suggesting a universal mechanism for stabilizing glycoproteins.
NASA released an animation of NOAA satellite imagery showing the lifetime of the historic nor'easter that brought over 2 feet of snow to New England states on Feb. 8-9, 2013. The storm left over 650,000 without power and led to travel bans in several governors' states.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology discovered a new class of materials that can be used to create highly efficient ultra-thin solar cells. The oxide heterostructures separate electrons and holes using an electric field, increasing efficiency.
A new report from Griffith University shows that most households did not make any changes to reduce their flood vulnerability despite lessons learned from the 2010-11 Australian floods. The research found that residents prioritized general home improvements over resilience measures, and insurers often only paid to replace like-for-like.
A field experiment conducted during the December 2011 parliamentary elections in Russia suggests that fraud had a significant impact on the results. The researchers estimate that fraud accounted for at least 11 percentage points of the vote recorded for the ruling United Russia party in Moscow, resulting in the party retaining its majo...
International researchers argue that mobile health technology needs more evidence to support its widespread use in healthcare. The authors highlight the need for innovative research designs and standardized features to inform the scale-up of mHealth interventions.
A multi-site clinical trial shows that Bright IDEAS problem-solving skills training reduces mothers' levels of anxiety and symptoms of posttraumatic stress after a child's cancer diagnosis. The training also improves overall coping with a child's illness, making things seem manageable for parents.
Researchers found that most tough-leaved shrubs and trees in South East Australia went extinct during the ice ages, contradicting the long-held theory that evolution drives biodiversity. The study suggests that extinction is equally important to diversity as evolution.
A study found that only 63% of US counties have mental health facilities providing outpatient specialty services for youth, highlighting significant gaps in care. The article emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies to address these disparities and ensure access to quality mental health services for all youth.
A study found a 21% drop in insulin sensitivity among first-born children, leading to higher daytime blood pressure and increased risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes. First-borns tend to be taller and slimmer than their later-born counterparts due to changes in the mother's uterus during pregnancy.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a receptor-free nanomechanical infrared spectroscopy method to detect trace amounts of explosives in complex mixtures. This technique increases selectivity and sensitivity, allowing for the detection of specific molecules even with high concentrations of interfering molecules.
Researchers at Penn State University have developed a method to determine how to focus disease-control strategies based on individuals most likely to spread the infection. By analyzing classroom schedules and human-networking theory, they created a low-cost but effective way to predict disease outbreaks in closed groups.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that scopolamine can rapidly improve mood in depressed patients. Additionally, the drug shows promise as a treatment for anxiety disorders by disrupting contextual processing during extinction learning.
Researchers found that two patients with severe dystonia experienced prolonged symptom relief despite interrupted deep brain stimulation therapy. The study suggests that younger brains and shorter disease duration may be more responsive to treatment.
Young children may go above and beyond when helping adults, overriding specific requests for unhelpful items in favor of something more useful. In one experiment, most 3-year-olds recognized that an adult wasn't making the best decision and decided to be helpful instead.
A team from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified a molecular master switch for pancreatic cancer, which could serve as a potential predictor of treatment outcome. The researchers found that Prrx1 and Sox9 regulate the emergence of an intermediate cell type that can give rise to cancer.
A study by Spanish National Research Council proposes a new methodology to assess air traffic congestion. Researchers found that crew rotation and passenger connections systematically spread flight delays, revealing a domino effect.
Researchers investigated relationship between hospital performance on 30-day mortality rates and 30-day readmission rates, finding no strong association. The study included data from nearly 3 million hospital admissions, covering heart attack, pneumonia, and heart failure conditions.
A new study using NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites has found that the Middle East region lost 117 million acre feet of freshwater reserves between 2003 and 2012. The majority of this loss, approximately 73 million acre feet, was due to reductions in groundwater.
Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid have developed a new GPS system that improves position determination by up to 90% in urban settings. The system combines conventional GPS with accelerometers and gyroscopes to reduce margin of error, enabling applications such as cooperative driving and autonomous vehicles.
Research from the 2013 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium highlights new insights on high-risk prostate cancer prevalence and treatment. Studies show that African-American men and older men of any race are more likely to have aggressive prostate cancer, while surveillance for small kidney tumors is a safe alternative to surgery for elderl...
Researchers found that cured Cushing's disease patients who had depression when symptoms started were at elevated risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease. Men were more susceptible than women due to a lack of follow-up care, while patients with diabetes were also at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
A new study found that differential parenting behavior in one child can lead to increased mental health problems in all family members. Mothers with high cumulative risk factors exhibited more extreme variations in affection and discipline across their children.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that whole genome sequencing is more effective at tracing TB outbreaks than standard genotyping tests. The new test revealed that first outbreak isolates were falsely clustered by classical genotyping, providing valuable insights into the evolution of M. tuberculosis.
A new study by USC Marshall Professor Valerie Folkes and Ohio State University Professor Shashi Matta investigates how firms can activate gender stereotypes to sell more products. The researchers found that stressing competence and quality can influence consumer behavior in a positive way, rendering the product more appealing.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered an abnormal protein C9RANT that accumulates in the brains of patients with ALS and frontotemporal dementia. The findings provide a potentially new therapeutic target and biomarker to confirm diagnosis of these diseases.
A review of published studies suggests that interactions with therapy dogs can help children with ASD develop emotional attachments and interaction in a social setting, leading to improved interpersonal communication. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and build on the current evidence.
Researchers developed an integrated model to capture both product innovation and customer evaluation processes. The conceptual model illustrates the interaction between innovation and customer response, aiming to help companies adapt their innovation processes more efficiently.
Research found that conservative counties had lower market share for generic products and fewer adoption of newly launched products compared to liberal counties. This suggests a link between political ideology and daily buying behavior.
Research highlights the importance of considering sex and gender in medical treatment, leading to better health outcomes. The Sex and Gender Women's Health Collaborative aims to integrate sex and gender influences into medical education and clinical training through its digital resource.
Almost 230,000 people in the UK have been conned by online romance fraudsters since 2007, research suggests that dating companies need to issue clear warnings on their sites to prevent users from falling victim. The study recommends targeting advice at vulnerable individuals with high romantic ideals or previous mental health problems
A study found that genetic testing revealed high-risk mutations in individuals but prompted them to take positive steps, including follow-up visits with a doctor and discussions with family members. The test results also led to a 'cascade effect' where relatives were subsequently tested and discovered they too had the mutation.
A new study by University of Toronto Professor Chris Kennedy and World Bank climate change specialist Lorraine Sugar shows that cities can make a positive difference in reducing GHG emissions. They propose realistic steps such as increasing bicycling infrastructure and encouraging electric cars to achieve a 70% reduction in emissions.
A study finds diclofenac is the most commonly used NSAID in 15 countries and is included on essential medicines lists of 74 low- to high-income countries. Despite its cardiovascular risks, researchers call for diclofenac to be removed from national lists and have its global marketing authorisations revoked.
Emerging cancer drugs targeting tumor cells may also stimulate osteoclasts to tear down bone, increasing the risk of tumor spread. Researchers recommend closely monitoring patients' bone health when taking these drugs.
A new fuzzy ontology-based system acts as a virtual moderator to bridge positions in negotiations. The system can be applied to everyday decisions and complex EU discussions.
The Journal of Geophysical Research Planets special edition features 35 LRO papers highlighting discoveries on ancient impacts, global structures, and subsurface hydrogen deposits.
European women are at risk of dying from lung cancer, which is expected to overtake breast cancer as the main cause of death. According to research, lung cancer deaths have increased by 7% since 2009, while breast cancer deaths have declined steadily.
Researchers have identified a novel abnormal protein, C9RANT, that builds up in the brains of patients with ALS and FTD due to genetic abnormalities. Detecting C9RANT in cerebrospinal fluid may provide a valuable diagnostic tool for these diseases.
Young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are less likely to receive healthcare transition services than those with other special needs. This can lead to gaps in care and increased dependence on the healthcare system.
A study by MIT researchers found that cross-training humans and robots significantly improves team performance, with a 71% increase in concurrent motion and a 41% decrease in human inactivity. The robots also showed lower uncertainty levels when working with their human teammates after cross-training.
Researchers found abnormal gene expression in fetuses of obese women, suggesting potential effects on brain development. The study suggests that maternal obesity may contribute to neurodevelopmental abnormalities in children.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that vascular brain injury, not amyloid plaques, has the greatest impact on cognitive domains. Vascular brain injury was associated with worse memory and executive function, while amyloid deposition had little to no effect.
A study suggests that reducing sodium intake by 40% could save 280,000 to 500,000 lives over 10 years. Gradual reductions in sodium consumption are projected to have substantial mortality benefits across the population.
Researchers found that African-American women with pre-pregnancy obesity and excess weight gain during pregnancy are more likely to have macrosomia, or newborns weighing over 4,000 grams. This increased risk is linked to energy accumulation by the fetus from increased maternal glucose concentrations and insulin resistance.
A recent study, published in Human Performance, draws on NBA player statistics to explore on-the-job adaptability. Researchers found that about 10% of players shift their focus over time, leading to improved retention rates.
Landsat 5 successfully operated for 28 years and 10 months, delivering high-quality global data of Earth's land surface. The satellite overcame numerous technical issues to achieve this record-breaking duration.
A new study reveals the US Supreme Court is slightly more diverse today than ever in history, with high diversity in professional background and racial origin. However, the Court lacks educational diversity, with all justices attending either Harvard or Yale Law Schools.
A study found that 40% of top-ranked and 36% of non-top-ranked hospitals struggled to provide a price estimate for total hip replacement, with costs ranging from $11,100 to $125,798. The researchers suggest consumers should ask for cost information and be persistent in obtaining it.
Public health experts at Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research emphasize the need for evidence-based policies to prevent gun violence. Physicians are urged to engage in prevention efforts through strategies such as discussing guns with patients and advocating for change in Congress.
Research suggests that lead exposure in children can lead to irreversible damage, including learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and lowered intelligence. Public education is needed to address the ongoing problem of lead exposure and its devastating effects on young people.
Researchers at ICFO developed a technique to scan individual cells using artificial atoms, which can detect weak magnetic fields generated by biological molecules. This breakthrough enables non-invasive diagnosis and better understanding of intracellular processes.