Researchers used light-scattering techniques to study the detailed thermodynamics of hemoglobin fibers in sickle cell disease. They found that hemoglobin molecules associate more easily in high temperatures and concentrated solutions, leading to stronger bonds between fibers.
Researchers found that modifying electronic order set lists can significantly alter both the number and quality of lab tests ordered by clinicians. Including default selections increased the quality of lab tests, but also added costs.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a new test to assess the effectiveness of enzyme mixtures, which could reduce the time and cost of producing biofuels. The test uses activity-based protein profiling to track the activity of dozens of enzymes simultaneously.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that children who slept more for a week consumed an average of 134 fewer calories per day and weighed half a pound less compared to those who slept less. The study suggests that enhancing school-age children's sleep at night could have important implications for preventing and treating obesity.
A Carnegie Mellon University study found that repeating rare events can improve detection rates for security screeners. The researchers used a simulation to show that exposure to multiple threat events reduced the error rate from 45% to 25%. This technique could be applied to other occupations prone to inattentional blindness, such as ...
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that 17.9% of adolescent boys in the US are extremely concerned about their weight and physique, leading to increased risk of drug use and binge drinking. Boys focused on muscularity were more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors.
A study examines how mainstream news coverage of transgender-related news and policy issues reflects entrenched views about gender, particularly the notion that women are weak and vulnerable. The authors found that perceived threats to women's spaces spur panic, but that clear policies can calm down such reactions.
Researchers propose harnessing beneficial microbes to control opportunistic pathogens in household plumbing, which can harbor deadly germs like Legionella and M. avium complex. This approach aims to improve water-borne disease control by leveraging the microbiome's potential for competition.
A new study found that obesity is the largest predictor of earlier onset puberty in girls, with white girls experiencing breast development at a median age of 9.7 years. The study suggests that greater obesity may be the cause of this phenomenon, highlighting potential psychosocial and biologic outcomes for affected girls.
Guoquan Wang, a UH professor, has received an $168,000 NSF grant to develop GPS and LiDAR education at the university. The project includes creating an upper-level applications course and augmenting field methods courses with real-time GPS and seismic instruments.
A paper proposes a novel understanding of brain architecture using a network representation of connections within the primate cortex. The researchers describe the cortex as a network of connections with a bow tie structure, characterized by a dense core connecting to feed-forward and feedback pathways. This arrangement is found in self...
A new analysis examines factors affecting integration of mental health and substance abuse treatment services with medical care at community health centers. Health centers were more likely to offer behavioral health services if they were larger or located in areas with more psychiatrists and psychologists per capita.
Physicists at the University of Basel have developed a quantum-classical hybrid system to stabilize the wavelength of photons emitted by a semiconductor, removing charge noise and enabling a stable single-photon source. This breakthrough could lead to improvements in semiconductor-based spin qubits and quantum communication.
A recent study published in the Journal of Heredity has identified two distinct populations of bottlenose dolphins living in the Indian River Lagoon, separated by a north-south geographic area. The research also found genetic differences between these populations and those living in other areas, highlighting the importance of habitat a...
A new study found that underground gas injection was correlated with small earthquakes near Snyder, Texas, between 2006 and 2011. The researchers suggest that geological faults may be responsible for the triggering of these quakes in some areas but not others.
A three-year project aims to create an oral vaccine against C. difficile, which kills thousands annually. The novel approach uses harmless bacterial spores to boost immunity and targets the protein needed for the infection to take hold.
UTSA's two-year pilot project aims to identify reliable solutions to San Antonio's sewage overflows, which pose environmental and health risks. The study will use simulation and optimization algorithms to develop a model for the sewer system, with the goal of reducing overflows by 50%.
A team of researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington is developing a computational model to de-identify information in electronic health records, ensuring their anonymity. The project aims to balance data protection with secure access for secondary analysis and improved healthcare outcomes.
Ben Mazin's superconducting detector array measures individual photon energy, allowing for higher per-pixel performance and improved time resolution. The ARray Camera for Optical to Near-infrared Spectrophotometry (ARCONS) instrument enables megapixel arrays within a decade.
A study found that teenagers in the child welfare system have a higher risk of abusing marijuana, inhalants, and other drugs compared to their counterparts outside the system. Parental involvement is a key factor in reducing this risk, with youth who feel supported by parents being less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors.
A team of researchers challenges widely-held assumptions about the growth of medical tourism, citing a lack of credible data and regional factors. They argue that historical flows between countries, cultural relations, and geo-political factors drive medical tourism, rather than global market opportunities.
Severely obese teenagers who underwent weight-loss surgery experienced minimal complications, with no major complications or deaths reported during the initial hospitalization period. The study included 242 teens and found that only 8% experienced reoperation and 15% had minor complications like readmission for dehydration.
Edmund Clarke receives Bower Prize for his work on Model Checking, while Mark Kryder is awarded Benjamin Franklin Medal for Perpendicular Magnetic Recording. Both professors have made significant contributions to the field of information technology.
A new risk measure called a home score combines patients' symptoms and demographic information with local strep throat activity to estimate an individual's strep risk, empowering them to seek care appropriately. This innovative tool has the potential to eliminate 230,000 unnecessary doctor visits for strep throat in the US annually.
Based on Kepler data, scientists found that one in five sun-like stars has an Earth-size planet in its habitable zone. The estimated number suggests that life-supporting planets may be more common than previously thought.
The Population Council will showcase research on new contraceptive technologies, expanding access to family planning, and promoting gender equity. The conference highlights innovative solutions to improve the health and well-being of women and families in poor and underserved communities.
A national panel of experts recommends that osteopathic medical schools develop programs in partnership with teaching hospitals and training sites to provide more hands-on learning. The goal is to train primary care-focused physicians who can deliver team-based care and are proficient in prevention, health systems planning, leadership,...
A recent study by George Washington University found that 20% of Medicare's graduate medical education (GME) funding goes to New York, while 29 states receive less than 1%. The study highlights the need for reform in the GME payment system to address imbalances in physician availability across the country.
A preclinical study led by UTHealth researchers found that stem cell therapy promotes lasting cognitive improvement after brain injury. The treatment, known as MAPC therapy, was shown to reduce inflammation and improve brain function in mice.
Patients should never drive if taking narcotic pain medication, as it impairs cognitive judgment and reaction time. Additionally, using one arm can significantly limit safe driving abilities due to impaired coordination and control of the vehicle.
A new computing model developed by Virginia Tech researchers enables faster analysis and smarter insights from large-scale DNA sequencing data. This allows life scientists to collaborate globally on 24/7, sharing public data sets and facilitating large-scale collaborative research.
A research team led by Johns Hopkins engineers discovered that animals use opposing forces in their movements to increase both stability and maneuverability. This biomimetic approach is found in fish, hummingbirds, and bees, and could simplify designs for small robots that fly, swim, or move on mechanical legs.
Researchers found small differences between self-reported and measured weights following bariatric surgery, but self-reported weights were closer to actual weights than reported personal weights. Women underreported their weight by an average of 2.2 lbs., while men also showed similar underreporting.
Researchers have identified genes associated with brain aging, revealing a heritable basis for neurocognitive deterioration and decreased white matter integrity. The study used large pedigrees of Mexican Americans to disentangle genetic from non-genetic influences on aging.
The center will integrate operations at four locations, including the UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center and the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine. It aims to translate discoveries into therapies that can improve and save lives, with a focus on treating cancer, Lou Gehrig's disease, and spinal cord injury.
Researchers reveal how neurons regulate PP1 protein through neurotransmitter NMDA, allowing PP1 to promote synaptic remodeling. A regulatory protein called inhibitor-2 also helps promote PP1 activity in neurons.
Researchers have mapped the structure of complement component C1, a protein responsible for spotting foreign agents and triggering the immune response. The study reveals how the complex is assembled from its constituent proteins, shedding light on the immune system's prevention of disease and potential therapeutic applications.
A clinical trial found gabapentin to be safe and effective in treating alcohol dependence, reducing cravings, depression, and sleeplessness. The drug's effect on drinking outcomes was at least as large as existing FDA-approved treatments, with significant benefits seen in patients who received the high-dose regimen.
Scientists demonstrated a breakthrough in quantum cryptography, enabling perfectly secure data transmission between two sites for up to fifteen milliseconds. This achievement marks the first step towards impregnable information networks controlled by Einstein's relativity and quantum theory.
Prime Minister Najib Razak emphasizes the need to address poverty and environmental concerns in a unified, people-centered agenda. Malaysia has achieved significant development milestones, but faces challenges like climate change and inequality.
The productivity of many lands has been dramatically reduced due to soil erosion, salinity accumulation, and nutrient depletion. A sustainable approach to agriculture is needed to maintain soil fertility and address climate change and biodiversity loss.
Researchers announced positive trial results for an artificial aortic heart valve that does not require open-heart surgery. The device showed high survival rates, low stroke risk, and significant improvements in patients' quality of life.
Three years after bariatric surgery, patients experienced significant weight loss, particularly in the first year. The study found that while there was variability in weight loss outcomes, many patients achieved substantial improvements in diabetes, blood pressure, and lipid profiles.
Researchers found chronic PTSD patients have gray matter structural damage in the prefrontal lobe, occipital lobe, and parietal lobe. Improved PTSD symptoms are associated with reduced but not recovered gray matter structural damage.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine are studying the quality and effectiveness of generic drugs for treating depression. They aim to determine if generic versions of bupropion HCl ER tablets work as well as brand-name Wellbutrin XL in treating depression, with a focus on safety and potential side effects.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that treadmill step training significantly improved spontaneous motor activity in rats with incomplete spinal cord injury. The training also promoted neural plasticity and growth-associated protein-43 expression, leading to functional recovery.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that women who adhered to a Mediterranean-type diet in midlife had greater physical and mental function in old age. Researchers also developed a scoring system to identify low-risk patients for strep throat, which could potentially save hundreds of thousands of doctor visits...
Tropical Depression 30W, also known as Wilma, formed and moved through the Visayas region of the Philippines. NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared images showing the depression's potential for heavy rainfall, particularly in the central Philippines.
Researchers propose a new method for robots to capture malfunctioning satellites in space. By mimicking the way animals track and capture prey, the team developed a bio-inspired solution that reduces damage and minimizes disruption to the spacecraft. This technology aims to revolutionize space maintenance and rescue operations.
Researchers discovered that snakes can optimize their vision by controlling blood flow in their eyes when perceiving threats. The coachwhip snake's visual blood flow patterns change depending on its environment, allowing for improved visual clarity in times of need.
A new test identifying low levels of placental growth factor may predict severe high blood pressure in pregnant women. It could also prevent unnecessary hospitalizations by monitoring those at high risk for developing preeclampsia.
Tropical Storm Sonia formed on Nov. 1 and made landfall in western Mexico by Nov. 4, with NASA capturing its brief life in a 36-second animation. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 45 mph, but it weakened as it moved over rugged terrain.
Scientists from ZSL and Imperial College London capture images of five wild cat species, including the elusive bay cat, in a logged area of forest. The study reveals that large carnivores can survive in commercially logged forests, challenging conservation assumptions.
Researchers analyzed hot-air balloon tour crashes from 2000-2011, finding 78 crashes involving 518 occupants, with 91 serious injuries and 5 fatalities. Targeted interventions may improve crash outcomes and decrease injury severity.
A recent study published in Cancer Prevention Research found that women vaccinated with one dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine had stable antibodies against HPV viruses in their blood for up to four years. The results challenge previous dogma on protein subunit vaccines requiring multiple doses for long-lived responses.
A study of 126,134 users on OkCupid.com found that racial barriers to romance are not insurmountable online. While people tend to self-segregate by race, they are more likely to reciprocate a cross-race overture and initiate interracial contact in the future.
The Population Council has been awarded a flagship project by USAID to generate evidence for strengthening family planning and reproductive health services. The EVIDENCE project will address critical challenges in scaling up quality programs, including financing, contraceptive access, and social norms.
SPIRou, a near-infrared spectropolarimeter and high-precision velocimeter, will detect habitable Earth twins orbiting nearby red dwarf stars and study the formation of Sun-like stars and their planets. The instrument's advanced technology will reveal the existence of liquid water on planetary surfaces.
Researchers are developing computer-aided diagnosis methods for mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs to identify specific tumor characteristics. This technique may also help identify genes that influence the risk of disease.
A team of scientists has revealed the details of a microbial process regulating the global nitrogen budget in the oceans. They found that anammox, a process converting fixed nitrogen to N2, affects primary productivity and isocyan signature patterns in oxygen minimum zones.