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.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a new reflective color display technology that can lock in color and reduce power consumption. The technology uses nanoscale metallic grooves to funnel light into specific wavelengths, resulting in vibrant colors that remain true regardless of viewing angle.
A tiny insect that eats plants has developed a unique strategy to evade its beetle predator: using the plant's trichomes for physical protection. This clever tactic allows the pest to crawl between the plant hairs and feed on cycad sap, while the larger beetle cannot follow suit.
A small robot was driven by a male silkmoth to track down its sex pheromone, demonstrating the potential for insect-inspired odor tracking. The researchers hope to apply this technology to autonomous robots that can detect environmental spills and leaks.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new modeling approach, MBIR, which reduces radiation exposure in medical CT scanners by 78% while improving image clarity. This technology also enables the focus of images after capture in consumer electronics.
A new study reveals awareness, perceptions, and usage patterns of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) among current and former cigarette smokers in four countries. The study found that nearly 47% of respondents were aware of ENDS, with higher levels of awareness among younger populations.
Researchers discovered that steroid drugs can suppress a molecule key to rapid bone loss in rib fractures, reversing bone loss and improving lung function. The study's findings challenge the conventional understanding of steroids as causing bone loss.
Researchers are creating a multimedia system that uses multiple 3-D cameras to create avatars of humans in two different places, allowing them to interact. The system could enable physical therapists to work with patients remotely and receive real-time feedback on their exercises.
A pair of commentaries highlight a public health debate surrounding CDC treatment guidelines for exposed individuals during the 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak. The American Society for Microbiology has published two commentaries questioning and defending the CDC's recommendations.
Researchers identified miR-7 as a metastasis suppressor that suppressed cancer stem-like cells' ability to metastasize to the brain. The miR-7/KLF4 axis played a critical role in cancer stem-like cell brain metastasis, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic or therapeutic target for predicting or treating brain metastases.
Researchers have discovered a trigger that turns muscle stem cells into brown fat, a form of good fat associated with less obesity. The discovery, published in Cell Metabolism, provides hope for a potential obesity treatment using adult skeletal muscle stem cells.
Researchers at UTHealth found American Indians to be significantly more at risk of suicide after acute alcohol intoxication. The study used data from the National Violent Death Reporting System and found that heavier drinkers were more likely to attempt or complete suicide.
A study published in BMC Medicine found that newborns of obese fathers have lower DNA methylation levels of the IGF2 gene, which codes for a growth factor important during fetal development. This can lead to increased cancer risk later in life.
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that both heavy and incompatible drinking can increase the chances of divorce. The research suggests that excessive alcohol use disrupts daily tasks and functioning, leading to spousal conflicts and a higher risk of marital dissolution.
A previously poorly investigated signalling pathway is crucial for prostate cancer cell proliferation, involving the production of cAMP at multiple locations in the cell. Inhibiting the soluble adenylyl cyclase enzyme suppresses cancer cell growth, suggesting a promising new therapeutic approach.
A study mapping the landscape of kinases in cancerous and non-cancerous tissue identified outlier kinase expression that can be targeted with existing drugs. Researchers found promising combinations, including adding a FGFR4-inhibitor to Herceptin for HER2-positive breast cancer tumors.
A clinical trial combining brain cooling and clot-busting drug therapy has received FDA approval to expand from 50 to 400 participants. Brain cooling has been shown to reduce neurological damage after stroke, with potential benefits in saving lives and preventing neurological damage after heart attack.
Scientists at Brown University and Indiana University have traced mitochondrial-nuclear incompatibility in fruit flies to individual nucleotide mutations, revealing how the genetic double whammy makes flies sick. The study highlights the importance of considering both genomes in understanding metabolic diseases.
Researchers found that mice can recover from debilitating strokes by quickly undergoing physical conditioning that rewire a different part of the brain to take over lost function. This study suggests physical and pharmacological solutions for human stroke victims and could lead to earlier and more aggressive rehab.
The UK biopharmaceutical sector is set to receive £6.5M in funding for innovative projects, including industrial-scale production of antibodies and stem cell preservation at room temperature. The funding will support the development of new tools and methods for bioprocessing, which is crucial for developing new drugs.
Geneviève Almouzni has been recognized for her pioneering work on histones and chromatin, promoting epigenetics in Europe, and mentoring female scientists. She will receive the 2013 FEBS | EMBO Women in Science Award for her exceptional achievements in molecular biology.