A Dartmouth study finds that communal acequias in the US Southwest are struggling due to reduced snowmelt and socio-economic pressures. The decline reflects changes worldwide where isolated communities integrate into larger economies, altering traditional water management systems.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers finds that plastic shopping bags can be converted into diesel fuel, producing significantly more energy than required. The conversion process produces usable petroleum products, including natural gas and gasoline, making it a potential sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
Yiqi Luo, a University of Oklahoma professor, has been named an AAAS Fellow for his work on data assimilation and ecological forecasting. His research aims to predict ecosystem changes in response to environmental shifts, which could inform global responses to climate change.
A study found that well-child visits are associated with a higher risk of flu-like illnesses in children and family members within two weeks of the visit. The research estimated that this increased risk translates to over 700,000 potentially avoidable illnesses each year.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new system that combines control programs to enable multiagent systems, such as teams of robots or networks of devices, to collaborate in unprecedented ways. The system takes into account uncertainty and automatically plans around it to guarantee optimal results.
LA BioMed researchers have reported a promising new therapy for Sanfilippo B syndrome, reducing brain damage and reversing heparan sulfate storage. The experimental treatment, NAGLU-IGF2, is taken up by neurons in the disease model, providing hope for patients with no available therapies.
Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang has been honored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) with the Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science, recognizing her contributions to public engagement activities and research in neuroscience of social emotion and education.
Researchers used live ticks to detect Lyme disease bacteria in people with persistent symptoms after antibiotic treatment, but found only two positive results. The study suggests that larger studies are needed to determine the significance of these findings.
Branscomb was recognized for his prolific career in academia, business, government, and philanthropy, with a focus on advancing sound science in public policy. He has authored over 500 papers and books, and served in various public service roles, including the National Science Board.
NASA and NOAA combined satellite footage shows the massive winter storm's development and movement, with clouds and snow stretching from southern US to northeast. The storm brought freezing rain, significant snow accumulations, and ice storm warnings across mid-Atlantic states.
Researchers found that strongly interacting binary stars are necessary for powerful, bipolar jets of gas and dust to form in planetary nebulae. The jets are produced by accretion processes that provide fuel for the outflows.
Researchers at MIT and Université Pierre et Marie Curie provide the first detailed model for the 3-D shape of a strand of curly hair, with applications in computer animation and engineering. The model characterizes all degrees of curliness and describes how properties change along the arc length.
High-resolution satellite images successfully counted southern right whales off the Argentinian coast, using automatic detection methods that outperformed traditional manual detection. The study's findings suggest this new approach could be applied to other whale species and marine mammal populations.
Researchers found that cocaine use is strongly associated with increased stroke risk in young adults, particularly when used acutely. The study found that participants were six to seven times more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke within 24 hours of cocaine use.
Researchers found that changes in a receptor protein called AHR2 may explain how killifish evolved genetic resistance to PCBs. The study suggests that evolution of resistance converges on the same target gene across independent populations.
Hal Dietz, a Johns Hopkins pediatric cardiologist and geneticist, has been recognized for his groundbreaking work on Marfan syndrome. He identified the cause of the rare genetic disease and found that losartan can attenuate overgrowth of the aorta.
Researchers investigate parallel mountain chains, rift flank uplift, and unique episodes in Earth's history. They use computer models and experimental data to understand the timing of uplift and crustal extension during rifting processes.
Research finds that indigenous cultures' medicinal plant use is linked to their environment, making them vulnerable to climate change and globalization. The study highlights the importance of preserving traditional knowledge to mitigate the impact of environmental changes on these communities.
New data shows a continued decline of African forest elephants, with 65% lost between 2002 and 2013. The poaching rate is alarming, with 9% per year, resulting in over 96 elephants killed daily.
Research suggests common infections increase stroke risk in children by six times, but routine vaccinations can help decrease this risk. The study found that childhood vaccinations were associated with a lower stroke risk, particularly for those who received all or most vaccines.
A new study by Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute found that a veterinary drug, Oxantel Pamoate, can effectively treat whipworm infections in children. The treatment combination showed significant reduction in worm eggs and improved health outcomes for the children.
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) announced the winners of its second annual Stand Up for Science Video Competition. The winning videos highlighted the importance of federal funding for biomedical and biological science research.
A Norwegian University of Science and Technology study found that seven out of ten teenagers reported chronic pain, with depressed girls experiencing the highest rate. The researchers emphasize the importance of treating physical pain alongside mental health issues.
The 2014 AAAS/Subaru Science Books & Film competition recognized four engaging science books exploring school gardens, fossil discovery, backyard bird watching, and biotechnology. Winners received $1500 and a plaque for their outstanding contributions to science writing and illustration.
Researchers reconstructed the neuronal circuits of an adult male nematode to understand how sensory neurons interpret signals from the environment and translate them into mating behavior. The comprehensive map, known as a connectome, reveals various classes of neurons involved in locomotion, posture, and insemination.
Research from University of Adelaide reveals South Australia has a higher rate of hypothermia deaths than Sweden, with elderly women indoors being the main victims. The study attributes this to poor heating and insulation, as well as lack of social interaction and multiple underlying medical conditions.
A €85 million program will develop novel antibiotics against Gram-negative pathogens with expertise from universities and industry in Europe. Scientists will assess new compounds to determine their potency and molecular basis of action.
Researchers identified a key biological mechanism explaining why women with dense breast tissue are at greater risk of developing breast cancer. The study found that the JNK1 signaling pathway is activated to a greater extent in fibroblasts from high-density breast tissue, creating an inflammatory environment that drives tumor formation.
A 20-year retrospective study found that 85% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were overlooked by doctors, highlighting the need for improved early diagnosis and treatment. The study estimates that around 2.2 million people in the UK remain undiagnosed for COPD.
Researchers at UCLA and international collaborators identify 50 brain and behavioral measures associated with bipolar disorder, including thickness of gray matter in key brain regions. The study's findings could be a major step toward identifying specific genes contributing to the illness.
Researchers develop a mathematical model explaining the two-phase process of abrasion that makes rocks rounder. The study reveals that abrasion reduces rock size only after it becomes smooth, providing new insights into erosion and sediment travel in rivers.
Researchers at JQI observe hysteresis in an ultracold atomic gas, a phenomenon crucial for electronics. By controlling the rotation of a quantum fluid, they create a stable two-velocity state that has implications for building practical atomtronic devices.
A recent study published in Gerontology highlights the long-term effects of childhood obesity on late-life health, finding that obese children may be more predisposed to complications independent of adult obesity. Early exposure to obesity can alter metabolism during a critical developmental time frame, leading to increased risk of met...
Research finds that people with stroke-related brainstem injuries have a significantly higher risk of developing sleep apnea. Among the 355 study participants, 84% with brainstem injury had sleep apnea compared to 59% without brainstem involvement.
A study published in BMJ Open finds that the UK tobacco industry's claims that plain packaging won't work are based on weak evidence. The research analyzed submissions made by four major tobacco companies and found that most of the cited evidence lacked policy relevance and was of poor quality.
A study by Baylor University psychologist Keith Sanford found that in satisfying relationships, negative communication is associated with bigger conflicts but ultimately leads to bigger resolutions. In contrast, unhappy relationships struggle to resolve conflicts regardless of communication type.
Research from INSEAD and The Wharton School found that mindfulness meditation can counteract the sunk-cost bias, a behavior where people hold on to losing stocks or bad relationships. By cultivating awareness of the present moment, mindfulness meditation reduces negative emotions and facilitates rational decision-making.
Scientists have identified odor-producing chemicals in earwax that differ between individuals of East Asian origin and Caucasians. The study found a unique chemical signature associated with each ethnic group, suggesting that earwax could be an overlooked source of personal information.
Researchers at NIST developed a new method to accurately measure changes in living cell redox potential, which can serve as an indicator of cellular health and function. The technique uses nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to detect glutathione levels and monitor intracellular redox reactions.
A Johns Hopkins study suggests that a simple measure of stroke severity can accurately indicate which patients need ICU monitoring and which can be managed outside of critical care. Most patients with mild strokes (NIH Stroke Scale score < 10) require no intensive care.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified a novel neural circuit linking the amygdala with the brainstem's fear response center. This discovery sheds light on how fear is translated into behavioral responses, paving the way for potential treatments of anxiety disorders like PTSD.
An international team led by Eske Willerslev has mapped the genome of a 1-1.5 year-old boy found in a 12,600-year-old burial site in Montana, shedding light on the colonization of the Americas. The study reveals that approximately 80% of present-day Native American populations are direct descendants of this boy's family.
The new four-year grant will help operators of near-earth satellites and air traffic radar systems safeguard against radiation bursts and energetic particles. Yue Deng's research aims to improve the understanding of neutral wind dynamics in the upper atmosphere, which is crucial for mitigating space weather effects.
A new paper proposes banning lead shot in Olympic shooting events to prevent wildlife poisoning and health threats to surface and groundwater. Non-toxic substitutes like steel shot have been available for two decades.
The five Neimark Award winners explore biostatistics, molecular plant sciences, and particle astrophysics among other areas. Their research in second language acquisition also sheds light on human cognition.
Research published in Acupuncture in Medicine found that widely used acupuncture needles have significant surface irregularities and inconsistencies, which could lead to painful reactions, bleeding, or bruising. The study calls for manufacturers to review and improve their quality control procedures for needle fabrication.
Researchers at NIST and JPL have designed a detector array that can extract more information than usual from single particles of light. The new device can record signal timing, enabling the use of pulse position modulation to encode multiple bits of information in space optical communications.
Researchers found that mathematical models describing urban growth apply to ancient societies as well. The study suggests a continuum of human settlements in time and place, allowing for more accurate population estimates and insights into social networks.
A new species of Stone Oak has been discovered in the Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand. The species, Lithocarpus orbicarpus, is a medium to small tree with unique spherical acorns covered in dense scales.
A new fossil specimen of the ancient Mesozoic marine reptile Chaohusaurus has revealed evidence of a live birth, suggesting that live births in land reptiles may have appeared much earlier than previously thought. The discovery provides the oldest vertebrate fossil to capture the moment of live-birth.
Hoosen Coovadia, a South African pediatrician and research scientist, has been recognized for his unwavering commitment to sound science guiding public policy. He was awarded the 2013 AAAS Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award for defying government opposition on HIV/AIDS issues.
A new beetle genus and species was discovered by Dr. Stylianos Chatzimanolis, named after Charles Darwin, based on a specimen collected in Argentina in 1832. Only two specimens of the species, Darwinilus sedarisi, are known, and most of its habitat has been transformed into agricultural fields.
There is limited evidence to support the existence of pornography 'addiction', with most studies lacking methodological rigor and failing to find negative side effects. Instead, viewing sexual images can have positive benefits such as improving attitudes towards sexuality and increasing pleasure in relationships.
Researchers investigated expert and novice dart players' techniques for accurate throwing. The study revealed two strategies used by experts: (1) compensating with hand movement for variable release times, and (2) reducing timing variability by releasing the dart at a fixed time. Both strategies achieved consistent throwing.
Researchers have identified the 'scaffold' of human brain networks, detailing connections that have the greatest influence over all other connections. The study found not all brain connections are equally important and some may be more vulnerable to damage, with implications for understanding brain injury and disease.
A new study by the University of Michigan finds that pediatric providers are using less effective screening tests for type 2 diabetes in children, leading to potential missed diagnoses. The new American Diabetes Association guidelines have been criticized due to lower test performance and increased costs for non-fasting tests.
A panel of 55 genes impacted by loss of protein SYK predicts invasive breast cancer, with better survival rates for patients without gene changes. Researchers found that 80% of patients without genetic alterations were still alive after 18 years, compared to 20% with gene changes.
Researchers from the University of Basel have observed spontaneous magnetic order of electron and nuclear spins in a quantum wire at temperatures of 0.1 kelvin, exceeding previous limits of microkelvin range. This new state of matter is stabilized by nuclear spin coupling and mutual interactions between electrons.
Scientists at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified a protein that is essential for creating and maintaining long-term memories. The protein, Orb2A, must be tightly regulated to form only in specific neural circuits, and its conversion into a prion-like state can be triggered by nerve cell stimulation.
A Dartmouth-Australian study provides the first global evidence that foreign aid programs can improve donor countries' public image. The research suggests that targeted and sustained foreign aid can serve a crucial geostrategic goal for those countries providing it, while also improving humanitarian outcomes.