Pittsburgh researchers explored how engineers innovate, finding that creativity is a stepwise process of incremental mental advances. They discovered that inspiration sparks perspiration, and companies can accelerate innovation by encouraging peer discussion and collaboration.
A team of scientists has developed a chromosome map for about half of the genome of Aedes agypti mosquito, which transmits dengue fever and yellow fever. The study reveals striking contrasts between this mosquito and Anopheles gambiae, the malaria vector, that may help prevent diseases by manipulating sex ratios.
Researchers suggest that meiosis and genetic recombination play a crucial role in Y chromosome loss. The team found substantial variation in sex chromosome systems among beetle species, with some exhibiting stable and others unstable Y chromosomes.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that musical training improves executive functioning in both children and adults. Musically trained individuals showed enhanced performance on cognitive tests and increased activation of specific brain areas associated with executive function.
Researchers found a strong connection between post-transplant gut microbiota diversity and outcomes, with patients having low diversity more likely to die from transplant-related causes. The study suggests that preserving gut microbiota diversity may improve stem cell transplant outcomes.
A special collection of research articles addresses the genetic underpinnings of host defenses against pathogens, revealing the complex determinants of immunity. Studies examine how genes influence immune responses, including those related to autoimmune thyroid diseases and insect resistance.
Researchers at Princeton University have created a laser system that unexpectedly shuts off when more power is applied, offering new possibilities for controlling optical systems. This phenomenon is made possible by the careful distribution of energy loss within an overall system being amplified.
Researchers have predicted the existence of fermionic matter in a novel one-dimensional liquid state, which cannot be described within existing models. This new state is similar to both fermionic liquids and Tomonaga-Luttinger liquids but has distinct properties that set it apart.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have created a system of coupled lasers that exhibit paradoxical behavior. By adding or reducing energy, the lasers can switch each other on or off, making them suitable for building logical circuits using light.
Research at the University of Iowa found a link between high cortisol levels and gradual loss of synapses in the prefrontal cortex, leading to short-term memory lapses. Elevated cortisol can cause synapse shrinkage and disappearance, particularly in older adults, potentially slowed by treatments targeting cortisol reduction.
Research in southern Ontario found that adults living in more walkable neighborhoods experienced a lower risk of developing diabetes over a 10-year period. The most walkable neighborhoods had the lowest incidence of obesity, overweight and diabetes.
A study found that surgical patients who received a simple, multicolor instruction sheet before surgery were more likely to comply with their physician's instructions and experience a shorter post-op stay. The study also noted lower compliance rates in African-American and older adult patients with multiple chronic diseases.
A new study found that wild yak mothers venture on steeper terrain than either males or females without young, accessing more nutritious food and avoiding predators. The researchers believe this strategy is an adaptive way to cope with climate change and biological challenges in their high-altitude habitat.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that non-academic Internet use in class leads to lower exam scores for all students, not just those with lower intellectual abilities. The study suggests that the engaging nature of internet use can be a significant distraction and negatively impact academic performance.
The EHRA White Book 2014 report highlights the growing use of complex therapies for heart rhythm abnormalities across Europe. The data shows a range in the number of CIED implantations and ablations among ESC member countries, with some countries reporting significant increases in CRT devices and loop recorders.
Researchers developed a new technique to study photochemical reactions, allowing for simultaneous monitoring of electronic and molecular dynamics. This breakthrough could answer questions about photochemical and photobiological systems, enabling the development of more efficient solar energy systems and nanomaterials.
A study finds that the 'Three-Parent Baby' method, which involves combining a healthy egg cell with a defective one, may pose health risks to offspring if mitochondria from different mothers are present. Researchers propose a solution by analyzing and aligning mitochondrial DNA haplotypes before transfer.
A 20-minute classroom assessment measures classroom instruction and aligns with state standards, providing immediate feedback for improving instructional quality. The tool, called the EAR Protocol, has been shown to correlate with better student outcomes on standardized tests.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered a potential cholesterol-lowering drug that can also halt the progression of breast cancer and kill cancerous cells. The compound targets the production of cholesterol in cancer cells, leading to cell death.
Exposure to neuroscientific information diminishes people's support for retributive punishment and perceived moral responsibility. Students who learned about brain processes proposed less severe punishment than their peers, indicating a shift in moral attributions.
A large survey found that young adults' self-reported health improved, along with decreased out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures, after the Affordable Care Act's dependent coverage provision. The study showed a significant increase in insurance coverage and improvements in physical and mental health among 19-25 year olds.
Researchers have identified abnormal brain iron levels in children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which may help improve diagnosis and treatment. The study suggests that brain iron absorption into the brain is abnormal in ADHD, even when blood iron levels are normal.
Wayne State University has received a $2.4 million NIH grant to develop a cleaner, healthier environment in Detroit through its Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES) program. The program will explore the impact of environmental exposures on human health, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children an...
A study found that selumetinib improved cancer progression-free survival time and tumor response rate in patients with advanced uveal melanoma, but had no impact on overall survival. Treatment-related adverse events were common, affecting nearly all patients.
A study published in the FASEB Journal identified a key gene regulation mechanism associated with age-related muscle loss. The researchers found that older adults had lower levels of microRNAs, small RNA molecules that regulate genes, compared to younger men, which hindered their ability to build muscle after exercise.
Researchers at the University of Bonn developed a novel camera system that can see around corners without mirrors, using diffusely reflected light to reconstruct object shapes. The system records time-resolved data from light echoes, which brings valuable information about object shape and appearance.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that a sleep education program for preschoolers increased their average bedtime by 30 minutes, resulting in better daytime functioning. The program improved parents' awareness and knowledge of good sleep behaviors but had limited long-term effects.
A two-year project aims to improve Ugandans' diets by increasing high-quality mushroom spawn availability. Researchers will develop a breeding program and indigenous germplasm bank, addressing concerns of soil contamination and introducing spent mushroom compost evaluation.
Researchers at NIST and University of Michigan develop a new method to image electric fields at resolutions far below RF wavelengths using laser light and rubidium atoms. The technique maps RF field strength as a function of position at resolutions as low as one-hundredth of an RF wavelength, far below normal antenna limits.
Researchers mapped live poultry markets in China to predict H7N9 spread; dense clusters of markets facilitate emergence and transmission. Maps help target surveillance and contain outbreaks.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have created a new mouse model of primary dystonia, which closely mimics the human form of the disease. The discovery could aid people with dystonia, Parkinson's and more, providing new insights into the basic biology of the disease and potentially leading to better treatments.
The new meter is 100 times more precise than the best available near-infrared spectrometers and 10 times more accurate than a similar NASA meter. It enables researchers to track down carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases with simultaneous determination of their concentrations at different altitudes.
Research published in Nature Communications reveals a faulty electrical switch in the uterus of overweight women, causing irregular contractions and increasing the risk of caesarean sections. This breakthrough discovery sheds light on the mechanism behind labour complications in overweight women, paving the way for potential treatments.
A meta-analysis of 16 trials found thrombolytic therapy to be associated with a 47% lower odds of death, but also increased risk of major bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage. The study also showed lower rates of recurrent pulmonary embolism in patients treated with thrombolysis.
Researchers found that lower doses of glucocorticoids and pulsed therapy can be as effective as traditional treatments, with fewer side effects. The study suggests using anti-malarial drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine, as a long-term treatment option.
Research by Culum Brown suggests that fish are intelligent, social creatures capable of complex behaviors such as learning, cooperation, and tool use. The study concludes that fish should be afforded protection similar to other vertebrates, considering their pain perception and sentience
A new study by Cornell University reveals that past participation in competitive team sports confers occupationally advantageous traits that persist across a person's life. Former varsity athletes are expected to be more self-confident and demonstrate leadership skills.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering developed a hybrid circuit combining carbon nanotube thin film transistors with indium, gallium and zinc oxide (IGZO) thin film transistors. This energy-efficient hybrid circuit has the potential to replace silicon as the traditional transistor material used in electronic chips.
Scientists create optical nanofibers to trap atoms in a fragile state, addressing the challenge of decoherence in quantum computers. The new method improves transmission loss by two orders of magnitude, paving the way for hybrid quantum processors.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that an almost century-old drug approved for treating sleeping sickness also restores normal cellular signaling in a mouse model of autism, reversing symptoms of the neurological disorder in animals.
Research on genetics of sex determination explores the evolutionary loss of Y-chromosomes and mechanisms preventing self-fertilization. The collection includes studies on yeast, nematodes, maize, and Brassicaceae, shedding light on the biological processes behind sex differences.
Research has linked kisspeptin signaling to increased weight gain and glucose intolerance in mice lacking the pathway. This study found that reduced metabolism and decreased energy led to excess weight gain, not increased food consumption. The findings have potential for treating human obesity.
Researchers are testing the safety and effectiveness of AG-120, a new drug designed for patients with IDH1 gene mutations, in a clinical trial at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials. The study aims to improve treatment options for patients with solid tumors, including brain tumors and gallbladder bile duct cancer.
The Urban Water Management Workshop, held at UC Riverside, stressed the need for a portfolio approach to water management, including information campaigns, pricing options, supply reuse, and technology-based rebate programs. The workshop aimed to improve communication and collaboration between academics and water agency officials.
The UC Irvine Health Division of Nephrology & Hypertension will examine the nature and outcomes of transition to dialysis or kidney transplantation in advanced chronic kidney disease patients. The study will analyze data from veterans and Kaiser Permanente Southern California members.
A pilot study found that self-administered hand shiatsu pressure techniques can help participants with chronic lower-back pain fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. The study's findings suggest that this low-cost alternative may be a valuable tool in addressing the sleep deprivation that often exacerbates chronic pain.
Tropical Depression Hagibis regenerated and sped northeast through the East China Sea after a brief weakening. Moderate rainfall was observed at a rate of 1.4 inches per hour in its northeastern quadrant.
Researchers discovered that increased VMAT2 levels led to enhanced dopamine neurotransmission and protection from a neurotoxin. The study found improved outcomes on anxiety, depressive behaviors, movement, and protection from MPTP, a chemical causing Parkinson's disease-related damage.
Researchers developed a method to accurately measure groundwater levels using satellite data, overcoming the challenges of traditional monitoring wells. This breakthrough provides valuable data for managing water resources and will improve models for scenarios like population growth and droughts.
Researchers found that chimpanzee crop raids are forcing African farmers to grow alternative crops and spend more time guarding their goods, increasing exposure to disease-carrying insects. The study suggests a positive shift towards community-led conservation, but warns of the negative impact on local communities.
The e-Mental Health in Practice (eMHPrac) initiative aims to train primary health practitioners in the use of e-mental health services, promoting access to e-health for people with mental health-related conditions. The program seeks to increase users of e-mental health services by at least 20% by 2016.
A study found that genetic variations common in African Americans increase risk of bleeding and death, while Caucasians with a different variant are at higher risk of repeat heart attacks and death. These variations affect the way people metabolize clopidogrel, a blood-thinning drug commonly prescribed after a heart attack.
A recent study found that the microbiota in livestock, particularly ruminants, play a significant role in greenhouse gas emissions. The research identified two distinct groups of methanogens responsible for high and low methane emissions in sheep. The findings suggest new targets for mitigating methane emissions at the microbiome level.
Research by University of Notre Dame sociologist Elizabeth McClintock shows the 'trophy wife' stereotype is largely a myth. She found that handsome men partner with pretty women, while successful men partner with successful women, controlled for physical attractiveness.
Researchers found that combining two smoking cessation therapies is more effective than using just one for male and highly nicotine-dependent smokers who weren't initially helped by the nicotine patch. The treatment combination resulted in a higher abstinence rate among male smokers, with an increase of 61% compared to varenicline alone.
New research reveals that climate change coverage has overshadowed biodiversity issues in media and funding. Biodiversity conservation experts recommend leveraging climate change awareness to secure more funds and attention for critical conservation efforts.
A major public health problem is emerging due to an increase in deaths from prescribed painkillers, with over 16,000 US deaths in 2010 alone. The review identifies factors such as increased opioid prescriptions, combined use of opioids and other substances, and social demographic factors as contributing causes.
A national study reveals that mental health patients are two and a half times more likely to be victims of homicide than the general public. The study found that 6% of homicide victims had been under mental health care in the year preceding their death, with many cases involving substance misuse and a history of violence.
The Geological Society of America has expanded its online body of knowledge by digitizing 23 years of The Geological Society of America Bulletin content published between 1922 and 1944. The milestone includes works from renowned authors such as Joseph Pardee, Beno Gutenberg, and Charles Francis Richter.
A recent study shows that the ecological risks posed by toxic chemicals are considerably greater than assumed on a pan-European scale. Chemical toxicity represents an ecological threat to almost half of all European bodies of water.