A majority of young California children eat fast food regularly, with 60% consuming it at least once a week. Parents in lower-income households have less influence over their children's eating habits, emphasizing the need for targeted health education and support.
Research suggests that awe-inspiring sights can motivate people to seek explanations for the world, potentially leading to a stronger belief in the supernatural. Participants who watched awe-inspiring videos showed increased comfort with supernatural control and were more likely to believe in God.
A new approach to palliative care has been shown to reduce emergency room visits and improve overall care for high-risk geriatric patients. The customized care model, matched to their changing needs at home, also reduces healthcare costs.
Researchers create hybrid materials with nanorods to replicate biological tissue regeneration processes, sensing damage and regrowing components. The team aims to develop complex materials with multiple functions through future optimizations.
Researchers found that disrupting a core clock gene in mice accelerated oxidative stress and inflammation in nerve cells, raising possibilities for therapeutic approaches to delay neurodegeneration. The study suggests the molecular clock plays a crucial role in protecting the brain from damage.
Researchers at University of South Carolina discover THC influences microRNAs, altering gene expression and potentially treating arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes. The study identifies specific microRNA targets for controlling inflammation and immune response.
A recent study found that nearly two-thirds of women who have had hysterectomies and half of women over 65 with no cervical cancer history received unnecessary Pap tests. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended against these groups for the test since 2003.
Researchers developed a drug regimen that eradicated CRE colonization in 44% of patients, significantly reducing mortality rates. The treatment was found to be safe and effective for eliminating the carrier state, which can reduce patient-to-patient transmission.
A new study reports that individuals who underwent left gastric artery embolization experienced a 7.9% decrease in body weight, highlighting potential new avenue for obesity research. The procedure blocks the production of ghrelin, leading to decreased appetite and weight loss.
Researchers at Rice University discovered the mechanism behind superfluorescent bursts in quantum wells, enabling compact semiconductor devices to produce picosecond pulses of light. The discovery may lead to new telecommunications equipment and other devices transmitting signals at picosecond speeds.
Researchers investigated epigenetic changes in response to maternal cortisol exposure, finding support for prenatal transmission of risk for poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study highlights the importance of treating maternal prenatal depression and anxiety to mitigate newborn behavioral problems.
A study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that extraverted kids are more influenced by bowl sizes, serving 33.1% more cereal when given a large bowl compared to introverts, who served only 5.6% more. When served by adults, all kids requested more cereal in the large bowl, highlighting the impact of personality traits on portion control.
A Stanford study reveals that astrocytes, a mysterious class of brain cells, actively refine nerve-cell circuits by selectively eliminating synapses, much like a sculptor chisels away excess rock to create an artwork. This process is triggered by activity in neurons and persists into adulthood.
Seven Texas A&M faculty members have been recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for their contributions to various fields. They include Nancy M. Amato, Perla Beatriz Balbuena, Raymond J. Carroll, Jonathan C. Coopersmith, Bani K. Mallick, H. Joseph Newton, and Matthew S. Sachs.
A Web First article by Health Affairs explores Shanghai's cutting-edge health care reforms and their successes and challenges. The study also reveals that the United States has the most complex insurance system among eleven countries surveyed, making it difficult for citizens to access care due to cost and time-consuming complexities.
A review of research suggests that video game play can enhance cognitive skills such as spatial navigation and problem-solving. Playing video games is also found to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and improve emotional resilience in children. Additionally, gaming communities provide opportunities for social interaction and cooperation.
A collaborative team, led by Prof. Mark Williams, reveals how the APOBEC3G protein forms a roadblock to prevent HIV replication, offering new avenues for HIV therapy and drug development.
John Jelesko, an associate professor of plant pathology and physiology at Virginia Tech, has been recognized as an AAAS Fellow for his distinguished contributions to the field of plant specialized metabolism. His research has led to a better understanding of plant metabolism with significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute for Ornithology found that friendly labels reduced interaction with equipment, with 40% less interference compared to neutral or threatening labels. The study suggests that friendly messages could minimize the number of incidences of vandalism and theft.
Scientists have engineered B cells to synthesize and deliver microRNA, a non-coding RNA that can be used to introduce or inhibit specific proteins. This achievement may lead to new therapeutic applications, including vaccination and cancer treatment.
A new method combines high-throughput DNA sequencing and computer analysis to produce reliable maps describing contacts between genes along individual chromosomes. The results suggest that the arrangement of genes on chromosomes is modular and based on their functions, with active genes exposed at chromosome boundaries.
Researchers at Clemson University identified two regions in the chicken genome associated with congenital deafness and spine deformities in humans. The Araucana breed's unique ear tufts and rumplessness provide a model for studying human genetic mutations.
Researchers found a sharp downward trend in ear infection visits between 2004 and 2011, coinciding with the advent of PCV-13 vaccine in 2010. This trend was most pronounced in children under 2 years old. The study suggests that medical interventions, especially vaccines, have reduced the burden of otitis media in US children.
A study by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital found that while minimally invasive nephrectomy is gaining popularity, it still accounts for less than 10% of pediatric kidney surgeries. The majority of procedures are performed on children under age one and those with benign conditions.
Researchers have discovered a rare genetic variation that increases triglyceride levels, contributing to the risk of heart disease and other disorders. The ApoE R145C variant is estimated to affect up to 36 million sub-Saharan Africans worldwide.
A new study found that increasing cropping frequency could boost global food production by up to 44% on existing agricultural lands. Harvest gaps, the difference between actual and maximum potential harvest frequencies, are highest in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Researchers studied the release of genetic material from viral capsids into host cell nuclei, finding that highly ordered DNA strands exit faster than tangled ones. The study's findings have implications for designing artificial viral vectors and understanding complete DNA stalling in experiments.
Researchers discovered Sox4 as a potential therapeutic target and histone deacetylase inhibitors as candidates in the treatment of AML. The studies also found that targeting Sox4 effectively perturbs major leukemogenic phenotypes and reactivates expression of genes responsible for blocking growth of healthy blood cells.
A new study reveals that US organ procurement organizations' implementation of First Person Authorization (FPA) has been inconsistent and incomplete. Despite legal backing from state laws, half the groups surveyed did not have a written policy for handling family objections.
Bing Ren has been awarded the distinction of Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his outstanding contributions to genome-wide analysis and understanding of human disease. He is a member of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and has directed various projects, including the Roadmap Epigenome...
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals that type 2B von Willebrand disease is associated with platelet dysfunction. Researchers found that a mutation in the von Willebrand factor protein can inhibit platelet activation and promote thrombocytopathy.
Tropical Cyclone Alessia made landfall in northern Australia as a weak storm, with NASA's TRMM satellite capturing mostly light rain and moderate rainfall. The cyclone dissipated quickly after crossing the Northern Territory coast, causing no damages or significant impacts.
Einstein-Ferkauf researchers have been awarded a $2.5 million NIH grant to develop a telephone-based approach to improving diabetes self-management and treatment outcomes in primary care. The program aims to reduce complications, emotional distress, and improve medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at TUM have devised a scheme that wrings provably strong security out of the physical layer, preventing eavesdroppers from receiving transmitted information. The approach uses two useless frequency bands to 'super-activate' the system and achieve positive capacity for secure communication.
Mayo Clinic researchers found that improved mood is associated with increased participation in daily activities and independent living after brain injury rehabilitation. The study suggests a holistic approach to care can address both physical and personal problems, leading to better outcomes for patients.
A study of over 30,000 women in Ireland found that private patients were more likely to have a C-section or surgical delivery, with rates twice as high for planned C-sections. The disparities remained after adjusting for social and medical factors.
A new study published in PNAS found that total US methane emissions may be 50% higher than government estimates, with large discrepancies in the south-central region. The study's findings have implications for national and state greenhouse gas reduction strategies.
A recent study by Uppsala University researchers mapped nearly 90,000 ERVs from 60 host genomes, revealing a host reservoir for one group of retroviruses with rampant host switching throughout history. This finding adds credence to the possibility that many additional retroviruses may remain to be discovered in vertebrate species.
A study of 200 urban areas in eleven European countries found that one in every three cities has no plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while seven in ten have no formal adaptation plans. Cities are crucial in addressing climate change due to their significant emission contributions and vulnerability to climate hazards.
Four years of sustained regular physical activity boosted the likelihood of healthy ageing sevenfold compared with consistent inactivity. Participants who became physically active reaped benefits, being more than three times as likely to be healthy agers.
The Transcatheter Therapies for Mitral Regurgitation Societal Overview highlights critical components of successful treatments, including operator training, protocols for care, and assessment of outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of a high-volume center setting and careful data collection through registries.
A $225,000 grant will help map the landscape of epigenetic changes associated with chemotherapy, a new area in cancer research. The collaboration aims to identify novel targets for more effective cancer treatment.
Researchers found that occupational therapy using sensory integration (OT-SI) provided better outcomes than standard care for children with autism. OT-SI therapy helps improve processing of sensation, leading to better participation in everyday activities.
Florian Schreck has received the ERC Consolidator Grant for his research on quantum many-body systems. His team will investigate new phenomena using strontium atoms, which have unique properties that allow for precise measurement and new material discoveries. This award recognizes Schreck's outstanding research results in Innsbruck.
Research by University of Illinois expert Aric Rindfleisch found that materialistic individuals experience higher levels of post-traumatic stress, compulsive buying, and impulsive purchasing after traumatic events. Materialism amplifies distress and impairs coping mechanisms.
A study analyzing 25 research studies found that computer-based training programs for ADHD have no significant long-term impact on children's cognitive abilities or behavior. However, the researchers suggest that future programs focused on working memory may be effective if designed to improve this aspect of brain functioning.
Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai will investigate a new intravenous medication that blocks IL-22, a protein triggering chronic inflammation and epidermal growth abnormalities in eczema. The study aims to develop safer treatments for patients with moderate to severe AD.
Researchers used locusts to demonstrate how the brain processes multiple odors simultaneously, recognizing patterns and adapting to new cues. The findings shed light on principles of olfactory computation and have potential applications in medical diagnostics and non-invasive chemical sensing.
The analysis of Rhizophagus irregularis genome reveals its unique ability to capture phosphorus and communicate with plants through cell-to-cell signaling. The fungus has retained much of its metabolic machinery, unlike many other obligate parasitic organisms.
Research at Ohio State University found that teenagers who played violent video games ate more chocolate, stole raffle tickets, and showed less self-control. Teens with high moral disengagement were most likely to engage in these behaviors.
Researchers found that mushrooms release water vapor to cool the air locally, creating convective cells that lift spores away from the fungus. This process allows mushrooms to spread their spores even in adverse conditions.
Scientists have created a new class of nano-mechanical oscillators that are ultra-sensitive to forces, including non-Newtonian gravity-like forces and quantum vacuum fluctuations. The system uses optically levitated nanoparticles in high vacuum conditions, overcoming the limitation of physical contact to a support.
Researchers in China, Egypt, Israel, Argentina, Mexico and California published new findings on sedimentology, petrology and paleotopography. The studies reveal insights into the geological processes that shape these regions, including eolian sand fractionation, magmatic activity, and exhumation of the Andes.
Researchers have developed a nano-SQUID-on-tip that measures magnetic fields at distances as small as a few nanometers from the sample, breaking the record for sensitivity and resolution. This tiny device may also enable measuring the magnetic field from the spin of a single electron, a major breakthrough in magnetic imaging.
A large-scale study found that government grants in South Africa significantly reduce the risk of sugar daddy relationships among teenage girls, which is a major cause of HIV infection. The study suggests that providing financial security to girls through child support grants can empower them to make safer choices.
A new Stanford University School of Medicine study found that decreased estrogen levels after menopause are largely unrelated to changes in cognitive ability and mood. However, the researchers discovered a possible link between levels of another hormone — progesterone — and cognition among younger postmenopausal women.
A study by University of Montreal researcher Maryse Bouchard found a significant association between PCB levels and cognitive abilities among individuals aged 70-84 years. Higher exposure to PCBs in older age groups led to greater diminution in cognition, particularly in women.
Recent research suggests that the frequency of Earth-like planets in habitable zones around M-dwarfs is 0.4-0.5, requiring surveying about 10 cool stars. A conservative approach would focus on surface water, as subsurface water testing is impossible to verify remotely.
Researchers at Rockefeller University Press develop a novel two-pronged approach to combat glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. By combining interleukin-12 with a CTLA-4 blocking drug, the cocktail successfully eradicated tumors in mice, showing promise for future treatment.
Kansas State University researchers are developing wearable medical sensors to monitor astronauts' vital data, such as breathing rate or muscle activity. The team is also creating a specialized wireless network for the biosensors to communicate with each other and a space station.