The President awarded the nation's highest science and technology honors to 10 individuals who received NSF funding at some point in their careers. Many recipients have made lasting impacts on US competitiveness and quality of life.
A UT professor and her team will investigate the long-term consequences of the oil spill on coastal ecosystems in the Gulf. Their research aims to understand how oil impacts marsh erosion and microbial cycling, guiding cleanup efforts.
A recent study found that obese children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are at a substantial risk for high blood pressure, which can lead to premature cardiovascular disease. The study recommends that blood pressure evaluation and control should be included in the clinical management of children with NAFLD.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that the sound of a person's voice can convey their level of power, with speakers assigned to high-power roles having higher-pitched, more monotone voices. Listeners were able to accurately categorize these vocal cues and associate them with high-power behaviors.
Researchers discovered a subset of cartilage-making cells that replicate themselves and drive bone growth, offering new hope for children with facial deformities. The findings could lead to the development of new treatments for corrective facial surgery in children.
UC San Diego professors Steven Cande, Trey Ideker, and Mark D. Ohman have been recognized as AAAS Fellows for their outstanding work in marine geology, bioinformatics, and marine plankton research. Their contributions have improved our understanding of plate tectonic processes, cancer genetics, and climate variability in ocean ecosystems.
Phytoplankton in the open ocean are responsible for half of global oxygen production, but how they assimilate limited nutrients was unclear. A new framework describes how microbial biodiversity affects phytoplankton's ability to take up phosphorus, a key nutrient.
A new study found that a provider-focused intervention improved Human Papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination rates by 10 times for boys and nearly twice as much for girls. The multi-component Performance Improvement Continuing Medical Education (PI CME) intervention was linked to sustained improvements in HPV vaccination rates.
A team of scientists has reconstructed a detailed 'tree of life' for turtles, revealing their closest relatives across the animal kingdom. The study uses next-generation sequencing technologies to refute long-held debates about turtle evolution and places turtles in a new group called 'Archelosauria'.
A recent study by an international team of researchers highlights the need for stricter regulations on invasive weed species in pastures. The findings suggest that these species can cause significant environmental harm and economic losses, with the US spending over $34 billion annually on management.
Researchers at Washington State University identified summer fallow management practices that can help farmers conserve soil, prevent sky-darkening dust storms, and improve air quality. Undercutter-tillage or no-till fallow systems were found to be the most effective options for reducing wind erosion in the Horse Heaven Hills region.
Researchers estimate that universal preconception care for pregnant women with diabetes can avert an estimated $5.5 billion in health expenditures and lost employment productivity over their children's lifetimes. Effective care could also help mitigate significant complications such as preterm deliveries, birth defects, and perinatal d...
The Snowmastodon Project Science Volume provides a new benchmark for understanding climate change in the American West, revealing dramatic ecosystems changes in response to climate shifts. The nearly continuous 85,000-year time span of the site offers the best-known record of life and climate at high elevation anywhere in North America.
Biologists believe the increased return rate of naturally spawned sockeye is high enough for the species to eventually sustain itself in the wild. Naturally spawned fish are returning at rates up to three times higher than those released from hatcheries.
Researchers from Aarhus University have discovered how a parasite in sleeping sickness disease recognizes human haemoglobin, a crucial step towards developing targeted treatments. This knowledge can lead to the development of new medicines that effectively combat the disease.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) within 12 months of estimated dates of seroconversion (EDS) improves the likelihood of restoring CD4+ T-cell counts. Patients who initiated ART after 12 months had lower CD4 normalization rates and increased risk of AIDS.
A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that loneliness has declined among high school and college students in the US. High school students reported a decline in subjective isolation, but an increase in social network isolation, suggesting they perceive less loneliness but poorer social networks.
Scientists have discovered that animals, including ticks and mites, have stolen bacterial toxin genes to defend against microbial infections. The transfer of these genes has been found in various animal species, including the deer tick, which can transmit Lyme disease.
The iPlant Collaborative will manage Jetstream, a new all-science cyber-computing platform, providing a scalable and flexible interface for researchers in various disciplines. The platform enables easy use of cloud resources for large-scale and integrated data processing in science and engineering research.
Kelvin Droegemeier, OU VP for Research, named 2014 AAAS Fellow for his contributions to developing partnerships in atmospheric sciences. He serves on several national and international boards, including the National Science Board.
A Phase 2 clinical trial demonstrates that AF-219, a selective and non-narcotic agent, significantly reduces daytime cough frequency by 75% compared to placebo. The study also shows improvements in secondary endpoints such as severity and urge to cough.
Two University of Houston scientists, Dan Graur and Mary Ann Ottinger, were elected as AAAS Fellows for their distinguished contributions to the fields of biology and biochemistry. They join a select group of researchers recognized by their peers as among the best in their fields.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have developed a method to convert human skin cells into sensory neurons, allowing for the study of pain and itch in a laboratory setting. This breakthrough enables the examination of neurodegenerative diseases such as Friedreich's ataxia and the testing of potential therapies.
Italian natural history museums are facing a critical situation due to progressive loss of scientific relevance and decreasing economic investments. The proposed solution is for institutions to join forces and form a 'meta-museum', sharing resources and personnel.
Australian average incomes have been declining over the past decade, with a recent study revealing a per capita drop of $250 over ten quarters. The economy's growth is largely driven by population expansion, but investment earnings are flowing out to overseas investors, exacerbating the issue.
Researchers found eliminating orexin slowed brain plaque growth and increased sleep time in mice, indicating its potential as an Alzheimer's prevention target. The study also highlights the importance of addressing sleep abnormalities to reduce Alzheimer's risk.
Sickle cell disease carriers in sub-Saharan Africa require aggressive public health education to raise awareness of the risks of having children with the disease. The disorder causes significant physical and emotional challenges, as well as potential life-threatening complications.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is developing online cybersecurity training for communities, addressing the lack of strategies to respond to cyber attacks. The training will include case studies, best practices, and templates to help municipal officials develop a cybersecurity strategy.
Researchers at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis found that bomb-sniffing dogs trained on pseudo-explosives could not reliably detect real explosives and vice versa. The study suggests that the exceptional sensitivity of a dog's nose and its temperament cannot be replicated with pseudo-explosive training.
A study published in CANCER found that adult survivors of retinoblastoma have few cognitive or social problems decades after diagnosis and treatment. The research suggests the brain may adapt to early insults, with some survivors performing better on verbal memory tasks.
Six faculty members at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have been named 2014 AAAS Fellows, recognized for their contributions to various fields including virology, cell biology, and cancer research. The awardees include Aviv Bergman, Margaret Kielian, Richard Kitsis, U. Thomas Meier, Robert Singer, and Jan Vijg.
Researchers found that teens prescribed anxiety or sleep medications during their lifetime were 12 times more likely to misuse those drugs than those who had never been prescribed. The study also highlighted the risk of overdose when these medications are mixed with narcotics or alcohol.
The investigational drug AG-120 has demonstrated 'extremely promising' early phase 1 clinical trial results for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) harboring IDH1 mutations. This finding builds on previous phase 1 results of a related drug, AG-221, and offers hope for the treatment of this high-risk population.
People with moderate to severe sleep apnea have a reduced aerobic fitness, even compared to those of similar body mass indices. The study found that sleep apnea patients had a lower peak oxygen uptake during aerobic activity than controls.
Researchers are developing a new type of cell therapy to treat liver cirrhosis, which claims 4000 lives in the UK each year. The therapy aims to reduce scarring and rebuild the damaged organ from within using macrophages.
A high intake of yogurt has been found to be associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The researchers found that high consumption of yogurt was associated with a reduced risk, while other dairy foods did not show this association.
New research from Arizona State University reveals that lonsdaleite is not a separate type of diamond but rather a structurally disordered form of ordinary diamond. The study found defects in the crystal structure caused by shock metamorphism, plastic deformation, or unequilibrated crystal growth.
A new study by Michigan State University scholar Aaron M. McCright found that only 35% of US citizens attribute extreme winter temperatures to global warming, contrary to expectations that such events would change minds.
Researchers at Harvard University successfully converted mouse and human skin cells into pain sensing neurons that respond to various stimuli, including acute and inflammatory pain. The 'disease in a dish' model may lead to improved drug development for chronic pain treatment.
Researchers cool membrane vibrations to less than 1 degree above absolute zero, opening up possibilities for novel studies of quantum physics and precision measurement devices. The technique harnesses the unique features of ultracold atomic gases, enabling fundamental quantum physics experiments with macroscopic mechanical systems.
Researchers developed computer models that match experimental results, explaining the dynamic processes behind essential cell components. Microtubule stability is crucial for cell survival, and the study provides new insights into how cells maintain or dismantle these structures.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding brain cell communication and developed a fruit fly model to study neurodegeneration. By partially inhibiting the breakdown of 'defective' proteins, they were able to completely suppress neurodegeneration in fruit flies.
A National Science Foundation-funded research team has successfully tested an autonomous underwater vehicle, AUV, that can produce high-resolution three-dimensional maps of Antarctic sea ice. The results provide a powerful tool to study changes in sea-ice extent.
Research on Tanzanian chimpanzees reveals that the mothers of sons are 25% more social than those of daughters. They spend more time with other adults and associate with more kin, which helps their young males develop social skills. This finding suggests a potential link between early social exposure and gender-typical behavior in humans.
Researchers found high-dose interleukin-2 to be effective in metastatic renal cell cancer patients pre-treated with VEGF-targeted agents, achieving durable complete responses in a selected population. The therapy's efficacy and safety were confirmed, offering an alternative treatment option for carefully selected patients.
Researchers at Georgia State University and Cornell University found that promoting healthy gut microbiota can treat or prevent metabolic syndrome. The study used an improved technical approach to show that altered bacterial populations promote low-grade inflammation and metabolic syndrome.
Three studies published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society Biological Science hold promise for resource managers to predict and avoid ecosystem collapse. Successful management depends on consistent monitoring, incorporation of tipping points data into actions, and local-scale management.
The G20 summit attracted a massive Twitter presence, with the US and its leaders dominating conversations. Dr Peta Mitchell's interactive map revealed over 19,000 geo-referenced tweets within Brisbane's declared zones, showcasing the event's global reach and public engagement.
Despite estimates suggesting that universal health coverage for US military veterans is within reach, over a million veterans remain uninsured. The Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion offer opportunities for coverage, but political hurdles and misinformation hinder progress.
Researchers have discovered that brown fat, which burns calories and absorbs excess sugar, could be used to control blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The study found that activating brown fat cells could lead to a new way of managing the disease without daily insulin injections.
Researchers found that psychosocial counseling significantly reduced repeat suicide attempts and deaths by suicide, with benefits lasting up to five years. The study's findings suggest that talk therapy-focused suicide prevention can be an effective strategy for populations at high risk of suicide.
Researchers developed a new approach to breast cancer follow-up that considers individual risk factors. For postmenopausal women with moderate prognosis early breast cancer, less frequent surveillance may be more cost-effective, especially for those older than 70 years.
Researchers found that CoCo bonds can worsen financial crisis situations due to a 'convert to steal' mechanism. This construction shifts losses onto bondholders in times of need, encouraging banks to further escalate their crisis.
A study published in AIDS reveals that anti-HIV medications may cause significant long-term heart problems in non-HIV-infected children. The research found persistently impaired heart muscle development and reduced heart performance in these children, highlighting the need for further investigation into the long-term impact of HIV medi...
A controlled diet study found that doubling saturated fat in the diet does not increase saturated fat in blood, but increases a fatty acid linked to diabetes and heart disease risk. Researchers also found improvements in blood glucose, insulin, and blood pressure with high-carb diets.
A study led by Mount Sinai researchers found that the clipping of histone protein H3.3 silences genes regulating cell division and duplication, potentially limiting abnormal cell growth in tumors. This discovery has implications for understanding cellular senescence and its role in cancer prevention.
A study of network news coverage found that Barry Bonds received more negative stories about his alleged steroid use than Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro. The research also showed that Bonds' stories were more likely to focus on his using steroids for a competitive edge, rather than rehabilitation from injury.
A rare new plant species, Stachys caroliniana, has been discovered in two locations near Charleston, S.C., with the discovery shedding light on its unique characteristics. The species was found to be different from its closest relatives, which are commonly known as hedge-nettles or woundworts.
Climate change may be causing fiddler crabs to move further north in the US East Coast, with one scientist discovering a crab nearly 50 miles north of its usual range. This warming trend could lead to changes in ecosystems as new species are introduced.
A GPS-collar study found that leopards stay surprisingly close to homes and can thrive in human-dominated areas, depending on resources. The study's findings suggest that leopards are not always 'stray' or 'conflict' animals but residents, requiring policy makers to rethink conservation strategies.