A University of Iowa study finds that adding professional and vocational majors to liberal arts colleges strengthens their mission, with students achieving similar educational gains across majors. Key findings include increased interest in literacy among liberal arts majors and higher leadership skills among professional majors.
A new study by Wilhelmina Kalt and colleagues found that a blueberry-supplemented diet did not improve sight in the dark, but helped subjects recover normal vision after exposure to bright light. The enhancement was small and unlikely to be noticeable to most healthy individuals.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a protein complex called CSN and its subunit CSN6 as a key factor in cancer development. The study found that inhibiting CSN6 can quickly destabilize the master cancer gene Myc, greatly impairing tumor growth and metastasis.
Researchers have identified specific genetic mutations in melanoma tumors that predict effective responses to a groundbreaking immunotherapy. The discovery, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, could lead to more targeted and personalized cancer treatments, including tailored therapies for patients with diverse tumor genomes.
Researchers presented findings on the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in infants, which showed promise for improving survival rates. Additionally, studies investigated the long-term cardiac risk in survivors of the Fontan operation for congenital heart disease, revealing a significant risk of late myocardial infarction.
Two new baryon particles, Xi_b'- and Xi_b*, have been discovered in accordance with a prediction made by York University Professor Randy Lewis and Richard Woloshyn in 2009. The discovery was made using the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.
A comprehensive study of the mouse genome has discovered striking similarities and differences with the human genome, shedding light on gene regulation and its impact on human biology. The findings may lead to better use of mouse models in medical research.
The Affordable Care Act has led to improved health care access for Kentucky's lowest-income residents, with 413,000 people gaining medical coverage. Residents are now able to seek non-urgent medical attention and receive guideline-based care, reducing financial stress.
Researchers developed a gene therapy that boosts Factor IX levels in men with severe hemophilia B, resulting in significant reductions of 90-94% in spontaneous bleeding episodes. The treatment has enabled patients to adopt more active lifestyles without needing frequent clotting factor injections.
A new study by Women's College Hospital found South Asian boys are three times as likely to be overweight compared to their peers. The research measured the heights and weights of over 700 Toronto students between ages 10-12 and tracked physical activity, socio-demographic factors.
Researchers found that antidepressant Citalopram restored connections between brain cells, reversing depressive-like behaviors and improved mood. The treatment focused on the nucleus accumbens region, regulating reward and motivation, and showed promise in addressing postpartum depression symptoms.
A study found that 80% of kidney dialysis patients were not adequately prepared for emergencies or natural disasters. However, after receiving individualized education from a multidisciplinary team, 78% of these patients became adequately prepared, according to a Loyola University Medical Center study. The educational sessions made a s...
A recent study published in Nature Climate Change found that climate change will slow China's efforts to reduce infectious diseases like diarrheal and vector-borne diseases. The researchers predict that changes to the global climate could delay China's progress by up to seven years by 2030.
A study found that children who spend more time in front of screens are at increased risk for obesity and heart disease. The researchers suggest reducing parental screen time may help lower the risk in children. Parents' behavior can have a lasting impact on their child's health.
Researchers developed new way to measure how CO2 acidifies oceans, affecting marine ecosystems. A 5,000 km long survey revealed calcification rates of coral reefs and open sea plankton in the Red Sea, providing crucial baseline conditions for tracking environmental changes.
A new study by Alain Cohn, Ernst Fehr, and Michel Maréchal found that bank employees are not inherently more dishonest than those in other industries. The study suggests that the banking sector's business culture, which implicitly favors dishonest behavior, is a significant contributor to the industry's reputational loss.
A systematic review found that reminder systems, including pre-appointment prompts and contact with missed appointments, can significantly improve treatment completion rates. The review's findings suggest these policies have important benefits and can contribute to improving TB treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that fathers' positive engagement increased as their intuitive parenting increased, but only when mothers had shown lower levels of intuitive parenting. The study involved highly educated, dual-earner couples and few in which the mother would be staying at home full-time.
Researchers developed a non-subjective technology to analyze and classify landslide risks on a landscape scale, revealing some areas have landslides from one time or another in history. The new system can identify risks common to broad areas, potentially leading to increased awareness and informed land use decisions.
Geologists have figured out what caused the Alaska Range to form its distinctive topography and why it boasts such an enigmatic signature. The narrow mountain range's high peaks are built from previously fractured rock units, driven by movement along the Denali fault.
Recent research has shown that children with dilated cardiomyopathy are living longer without heart transplants, with a survival rate of 15% without transplantation. The study found that the more recent era (2000-09) had better survival rates and was associated with factors other than transplantation availability.
A telemedicine-based collaborative care model successfully engaged rural veterans with PTSD in evidence-based psychotherapy, improving clinical outcomes. The study found that patients who attended eight or more sessions of cognitive processing therapy experienced significant improvements in PTSD severity.
Researchers have developed a new self-contained leadless cardiac pacemaker that reduces complications associated with traditional pacemaker systems. The device was implanted in eight patients with no complications in an average of 41 minutes and demonstrated reliable performance during follow-up sessions.
Researchers at UTHealth will study the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri to prevent and ease NEC in animal models. The study aims to decipher the optimal dose and mechanism of action of the probiotic and its effects on intestinal inflammation.
Researchers studied 30,670 patients undergoing heart surgery across 27 hospitals and found that the lowest-cost hospitals had significantly lower mortality rates, shorter lengths of stay, and fewer post-operative complications. These findings suggest that initiatives improving quality of care may also reduce costs for this population.
Patients with B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphomas and advanced solid tumors have responded to the new drug E7438, a histone methyltransferase inhibitor. The drug has shown anti-tumor effects in four patients with refractory lymphoma and one patient with a malignant rhabdoid tumor, indicating potential for personalized medical therapy.
Researchers analyzing decades of observations detect an unusual source of light in a galaxy, with properties suggesting it could be a supermassive black hole ejected from its home galaxy. Alternatively, the object might have been a rare type of star known as a Luminous Blue Variable that underwent prolonged eruptions.
Researchers discovered that immune cells secrete molecules across a small gap, which larger drugs struggle to penetrate. Smaller molecules are key to targeting immune cells, offering new ideas for treating auto-immune diseases and increasing cancer reactivity.
New clinical data show Vectra DA is a strong predictor of radiographic progression over two years compared to other tests used to assess risk of joint damage. The study found that among patients with low CRP, high Vectra DA scores were associated with increased risk of radiographic progression.
The Arab Food Security Project aims to improve domestic productivity by investing in agricultural research, resulting in a 28% increase in wheat yield across 10 countries. The initiative will work towards reducing dependence on food imports and promoting better rural livelihoods through knowledge sharing and improved technologies.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that circularly polarized light can influence the self-assembly of nanoparticles into chirally specific structures. This phenomenon has implications for understanding homochirality and potentially developing new methods for inducing chirality in molecules.
Researchers used 3D printing to create detailed heart models of three patients with complex congenital heart defects. Surgeons successfully repaired severe abnormalities in all three patients, potentially extending their lifespan by decades. This emerging technology has the potential to revolutionize surgical planning and treatment.
Queen's University scientists found that nanosilver can upset the human gut community at low concentrations. The discovery highlights the potential risks of nanoparticles in everyday life and underscores the need for further research on their long-term effects on health.
Researchers found a 50% increase in UK thunderstorms when the Sun's spiral-shaped magnetic field pointed towards or away from Earth, potentially exposing the upper atmosphere to galactic cosmic rays. This discovery could lead to a reliable lightning forecast system that provides weeks-in-advance warnings of hazardous events.
A study at Hospital for Special Surgery found that a support group addressing the psychological and educational needs of people recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis has a strong positive impact on their lives. The program improved patients' ability to manage their disease, connect with others, and cope with emotional challenges.
Researchers found that administering stem cell factor directly into damaged heart muscle after a heart attack can help repair and regenerate injured tissue. The study showed improved cardiac function, reduced cell death, and increased regeneration of heart tissue blood vessels.
Researchers have developed a fast and low-cost method to create flexible electronic sensors on paper using silver nanowire ink. The new technology has the potential to make medical tools more accessible and affordable.
A team of scientists has found that seed dormancy, which prevents germination under non-favourable conditions, was present in the first seeds 360 million years ago. This phenomenon is essential for plant diversification and survival, as it allows seeds to germinate only at optimal moments.
Scientists found that agricultural crops play a significant role in seasonal fluctuations of carbon dioxide, which could help understand and predict how Earth's vegetation reacts to global warming. The study reveals a nuance in the carbon cycle, explaining about 25% of the increase in seasonal swings with croplands.
A new social sensing game created at Illinois detects bullying behavior and identifies classroom bullies more effectively than traditional research methods. The game analyzes students' interactions in real-time, revealing behaviors like private messages and negative nominations.
Researchers at Ohio State University created a video game training program that improves vision in people with lazy eyes and poor depth perception. The 'push-pull' method, using games like Pac-Man, stimulates both eyes equally to counter the common use of eye patches on dominant eyes.
A special themed issue of the Journal of Dental Research covers recent developments in novel dental biomaterials and technologies, aiming to improve oral health outcomes. The issue highlights significant advances in materials engineering and their clinical applications.
A Rutgers study reveals that 75 percent of patients with at least four hospital stays between 2008-2011 were diagnosed with one or more behavioral health conditions. The study also found that 40 percent of preventable inpatient hospitalizations were associated with behavioral health conditions.
A recent Lumosity study analyzed over 60,000 participants to understand the effects of sleep, mood, and time of day on cognitive gameplay performance. The research found that memory, speed, and flexibility tasks peaked in the morning, while crystallized knowledge tasks such as arithmetic and verbal fluency peaked in the afternoon.
A study of 1,066 Scottish people found that those with complex jobs, such as social workers or architects, had better scores on memory and thinking tests. The results suggest that more stimulating work environments may help preserve cognitive function later in life.
A new study from Michigan State University finds that bad marriages are associated with a higher risk of heart disease in older adults, particularly women. The study analyzed data from over 1,200 couples and found that negative marital quality had a greater impact on cardiovascular health than positive quality.
The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded $9.2 million for 131 research projects focused on increasing water supplies, optimizing water availability under a changing climate, and improving water infrastructure reliability and safety.
Tropical Storm Adjali began curving to the southwest in the Southern Indian Ocean, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing visible images of the storm. The storm is expected to weaken due to increased wind shear, cooler sea surface temperatures, and limited outflow.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have created a cloaking device that hides objects across a continuous range of angles, improving on previous devices. The device uses four standard lenses and is scalable to large sizes, working for the entire visible spectrum.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) is establishing 14 new Research Training Groups to support early career researchers, while extending seven existing groups. The RTGs will focus on topics like urban water circulation systems, parasitology, and cold controlled ensembles.
The study, Mouse ENCODE, compared mouse and human genome regulatory elements to understand similarities and differences in gene control. Researchers found that the general principles of gene regulation are similar but with distinct details between species.
Researchers discovered a link between blood pressure hormone angiotensin and psychosis, while finding that increased cysteine levels may alleviate symptoms in people with Huntington's disease. Additionally, drugs targeting AMPA receptors improved social behaviors in autistic mice.
A new study found that terrorist attacks decrease fertility rates by reducing both expected children and live births. The researchers used a panel data set of 170 countries to measure the effects of terrorism on Total Fertility Rates (TFR) and Crude Birth Rate (CBR).
A new tablet-based app called CHAMP is connecting single ventricle heart defect patients to their doctors for real-time monitoring. The app has shown promising results in reducing mortality rates and decreasing the burden on caregivers.
A new study reveals that environmental bleaching events caused by rising sea temperatures are impairing long-term coral reproduction. Even corals that didn't bleach are experiencing reduced fertility, which can persist for three additional years after the initial bleaching event.
A new study shows that gut microbiota can influence the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from harmful substances. The findings suggest that alterations to our indigenous microbiota may have far-reaching consequences for the blood-brain barrier function throughout life.
Scientists develop a thermoresponsive coating that changes the color of white LEDs when dimmed, creating a warmer glow. This innovative technology uses liquid crystal and polymeric materials to create a temperature-dependent shift in light emission.
Florida harvester ants exhibit annual nest relocation behavior, constructing similar subterranean nests about once a year. The frequency and size of relocations vary among colonies, with smaller ones relocating more often than larger ones.
As energy becomes scarce, daily life in Western industrial nations will downshift into simpler forms due to reduced consumption. Behavioral scientists aim to help people cope with the transition by pre-familiarizing them with the changes and encouraging small, voluntary social experiments.
Researchers used whole genome sequencing to track and control an Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, identifying transmission hotspots and implementing new decontamination protocols. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of real-time genome sequencing in controlling hospital outbreaks.