A new study reveals that peer-to-peer problem solving can lessen the need for firms to contact their supplier for traditional customer support services. By leveraging collective knowledge and wisdom of customer communities, firms can conserve time and resources associated with traditional support services.
A NIOSH study reveals extremely hazardous carbon monoxide concentrations can accumulate near rear decks of uncontrolled gasoline-powered generators on houseboats. Innovative engineering controls have reduced exposure by up to 99 percent, enhancing safer working environments for boat users.
A Boston University School of Medicine study found that women who had their last child after age 33 had twice the odds of living to 95 years or older compared to those who had their last child before age 29. This suggests that women may be driving the evolution of genetic variants that slow aging and increase longevity.
Researchers found that fracking flowback fluid can mobilize tiny particles in soil, releasing associated pollutants like heavy metals. This phenomenon can exacerbate environmental risks during accidental spills.
The Kaiser Permanente Southern California Outpatient Safety Net Program uses electronic health records to identify and address potential gaps in patient care, targeting issues such as medication interactions and follow-up tests. The program has shown promise in improving patient safety across various clinical conditions.
Researchers identified specialized ribbons of four protofilaments within cilia microtubules, linking proteins to human disease. The discovery sheds light on the microstructure of cilia and their role in human function and disease.
A team of CAS researchers developed biomimetic nanochannels to harness the power of confined water in biological systems. Inspired by nature's intelligent design, they created a strategy for designing smart nanochannels with applications in energy conversion systems.
A recent study published in Journal of Consumer Research found that people tend to distort their memories of past indulgences when faced with an opportunity to indulge. This distortion leads to greater levels of indulgence. By understanding this phenomenon, businesses and individuals can develop strategies to avoid impulsive decisions.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research suggests that focusing on oneself can help individuals overcome distractions and stay committed to their goals. When participants were seated in a cubicle facing a mirror, they were more likely to eat M&Ms when thinking about abstract goals, such as improving their health.
Astronomers have discovered three closely orbiting supermassive black holes in a galaxy over four billion light years away. The system's tight configuration suggests that these closely-packed black holes are far more common than previously thought.
Net energy analysis provides a quantitative way to compare energy production with energy required for technology development and maintenance. The technique can identify potential costs and barriers to technology development that conventional financial analysis might not reveal.
Researchers recommend moving emphasis from dysfunction to competence, and propose embodiment theory as a viable solution. The latest edition of the DSM-5 also focuses on improving evaluations of persons with TBI by mental health professionals.
Researchers have discovered tetrodotoxin, a potent paralysis-inducing neurotoxin, in two species of terrestrial flatworms. The toxin was found to be used during predation to subdue large prey and may also play a role in defense through egg capsules.
The Laboratory for Shock Wave and Detonation Physics Research at CAEP made significant progress in optimization of physical design, material processing, and experimental measurement technology. Experimental data on equation of state for materials under ultra-high pressure was obtained, leading to advancements in hypervelocity launch th...
Researchers have identified a crucial component of human language development in fruit flies, revealing the biological basis of operant learning. The study found that flies with a compromised FoxP gene failed to learn tasks, similar to human patients with FoxP mutations.
Scientists at USAMRIID have proposed a set of standards for sequencing viral genomes, providing a common 'language' among researchers. The standards will facilitate the analysis and application of genome sequences across various fields, including diagnostics, vaccine development, and therapeutics.
People with tinnitus process emotions differently in the brain from those with normal hearing, according to a study led by University of Illinois professor Fatima Husain. The study found that patients with tinnitus showed more activity in two brain regions associated with emotion, while having lower activity in the amygdala.
Researchers analyzed ancient Neanderthal fecal matter, revealing significant plant intake alongside meat consumption. The study provides new insights into the role of vegetables in the Neanderthal diet.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have developed a human monoclonal antibody, m102.4, that protects nonhuman primates from Nipah virus disease even five days after infection. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a therapeutic treatment for people infected with the deadly virus.
A team of researchers at Virginia Tech used infection-modeling techniques to analyze the mass incarceration problem, discovering that small but significant differences in prison sentences can lead to large disparities in incarceration rates. The model reproduces many facets of incarceration in the US, including racial disparities.
A new study reveals that a warming period over 400,000 years ago caused the Greenland ice sheet to deglace and raise global sea levels by 4-6 meters. The research uses sediment core analysis to track the chemistry of glacial stream sediments, providing insights into the history of ice sheets in Greenland.
A computer simulation analysis found that lowering the toxicity of new HIV drugs can increase patient quality-adjusted life expectancy by up to 11%, or more than 3 years. This reduction in side effects can lead to increased patient survival and improved treatment outcomes.
A new hypothesis resolves the inconsistency between energy expenditure and maximum entropy production principles, proposing that a system minimizes resistance to its driving process. This refinement unifies the principles under a single framework, with applications in hydrogeology and other fields.
Researchers at Kyoto University found that the universe's radiation S reaches its maximum around the observed Higgs expectation value of 246 GeV. The study suggests that this could be evidence of the Big Fix, where Standard Model parameters are naturally fixed to achieve optimal results.
Researchers found Arctic birds are initiating nests earlier in spring, with snowmelt being the primary driver of this change. The study suggests that climate change is causing long-distance migrants to adapt their breeding cycles, potentially impacting population viability.
New supercomputer simulations show that most dark matter halos failed to form galaxies, with gas sterilized by the heat from first stars. The research improves understanding of dark matter, a mysterious substance believed to make up 85% of the universe's mass.
A researcher is using a $900,000 grant to resolve the debate on whether G protein-coupled receptors form dimers. He suspects that light transfer between constantly moving receptors may be random and not actual relationships. The study aims to find out how many drug targets are there and if they can help in treating various ailments.
Adults who watch TV for three hours or more each day may double their risk of premature death compared to those who watch less, according to new research. Sedentary behaviors like watching TV are linked to increased mortality rates, with a twofold higher risk for those watching three or more hours daily.
The magnetic hose, made of a ferromagnetic cylinder covered by a superconductor material, efficiently transports magnetic fields. The device has potential applications in quantum computing, enabling individual control over quantum systems.
A new study explains how Avibase, an online global database of birds, successfully addresses issues related to standardized scientific names and their meanings. The database pairs scientific names with citation definitions using taxonomic concepts.
A new study of nearly 1 million California births found that women who are obese before becoming pregnant face an increased risk of delivering a very premature baby. The risk was highest at the earliest gestational ages and for non-Hispanic, white first-time mothers in the most obese category.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia argue that natural resources worth more than US$40 trillion must be accounted for. The value of these 'natural capital' elements is largely excluded from GDP and corporate accounting, but using them has an impact on the natural world and future living standards.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have identified a mechanism that protects immune cells from natural killer cells. Type I interferon receptors play a crucial role in this process, and its absence can lead to the elimination of healthy immune cells. This discovery may have implications for understanding autoimmune diseases.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are 60% more likely to develop dementia than those without TBI. The study found that veterans with TBI developed dementia about two years earlier, highlighting the potential long-term consequences of TBI on cognitive health.
A Johns Hopkins-led research team found that motivational interviewing significantly reduced secondhand smoke exposure among children living in households with smokers. The study showed a 17% increase in prevalence of home smoking bans and a 13% decrease in smokers in the intervention group.
A new study by NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine professor A. Martin Gerdes found that administering low doses of thyroid hormone can restore hormone levels in the hearts of rats with diabetes and prevent deterioration of heart function.
Unique groups of microbes, known as Dehalococcoides, can convert hazardous chlorinated chemicals like TCE into ethene, a benign end product. However, they may stall at this stage, producing toxic intermediates. New research proposes that microbes are out-competed for hydrogen, a necessary electron donor, causing the breakdown to fail.
A four-year trial found that 30% of patients with cryptogenic stroke had atrial fibrillation detected within three years with the device, compared to 3% in those who received standard follow-up care. Patients with atrial fibrillation were switched to blood thinners, which proved more effective in preventing future strokes.
A recent study found that nearly half of all quality improvement initiatives have little to no impact on quality of care. Effective feedback strategies include delivery from a respected colleague, repeated multiple times with specific goals and action plans.
A study found that rejection from luxury salespeople increases consumers' willingness to buy and display the product. Affirming a person's self-concept before rejection can mitigate its impact. Luxury brands can use this insight to improve customer experiences.
Researchers found that taste-related words activate emotional centers and gustatory cortices, whereas literal words only stimulate emotion when part of a sentence. Metaphorical sentences may spark increased brain activity in emotion-related regions due to physical associations.
Scientists found that fracking fluids can dislodge tiny particles in soil, attracting heavy metals and other chemicals that could harm people and animals. The study's findings suggest that flowback fluids from fracking operations could contaminate groundwater with a third of the colloids present.
A new report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre analyzes the impacts of climate change in 9 sectors, predicting significant economic losses, heat-related deaths, and coastal damage. The study finds that the northern Europe region would experience the lowest welfare losses, while southern Europe would bear the most burden.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that failure to monitor progress according to the stated schedule was the most common concern among clinical trial sponsors, followed by failure to obtain the agreement of the principal investigator. Poor record keeping was also a significant issue, with 40% of warnings related to it.
Researchers from MIT developed an algorithm that allows distributed agents, such as robots, to collect data and analyze it independently. The algorithm outperformed a standard algorithm that works on aggregated data in experiments involving several different data sets.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool developed a new method to target bone growth, increasing density by 30 percent in weaker regions. The method uses miniature muscle pacemakers to produce contractions in targeted areas, showing promise for effective treatment of bone disease and fragility.
A new study found that minority entrepreneurs are more likely to fail due to limited choices caused by rejection and discrimination. This can lead to a loss of self-esteem and personal control. The research highlights the need for public policy stakeholders to address these systemic issues.
Mathematicians develop models to describe cell migration and tumor invasion, as well as dispersal patterns in species. The studies reveal the existence and uniqueness of traveling waves in malignant tumor invasion and show how fitness-dependent dispersal conveys advantages towards ideal free distribution in populations.
The article investigates the effects of triclosan, a common antimicrobial ingredient, on human health and the environment. Studies have found that triclosan can disrupt hormones and cause problems for vulnerable populations, such as fetuses and breastfeeding babies.
A Cornell University study investigated food fears about ingredients such as HFCS, and found that people who avoid these ingredients are more likely to receive information from the internet. Providing consumers with historical context about an ingredient can help reduce ingredient fears.
A new study reveals that less attractive children receive more help than their cuter counterparts in disaster relief efforts. The research suggests that when a child's need is severe, facial attractiveness has no effect on helping responses.
A study of Australian mothers and daughters found that alcohol consumption increased significantly over a generation, with daughters between 18-25 years old consuming more alcohol than their mothers. Higher education had no effect on consumption levels.
Researchers from Brown University developed a mathematical model that helps engineers control wrinkle, crease, and fold structures in various materials. The model shows that at low compression, wrinkles form across the surface, but as compression increases, critical points lead to the localization of ripples into sharp creases.
The 2014 World Stem Cell Summit will bring together leading scientists, business leaders, and regulators to discuss the future of regenerative medicine. The summit will feature over 200 prominent speakers from more than 40 nations, exploring the latest scientific discoveries and innovative business models.
A new study found that people with low self-esteem resist positive reframing and prefer negative validation from loved ones. Supporting friends with low self-esteem can be frustrating and tiring.
A new imaging technique combining four approaches can distinguish between malignant and benign breast tumors with high accuracy, potentially avoiding unnecessary biopsies. The multiparameter PET-MRI method showed a 96% success rate in distinguishing malignant from benign tumors.
A new generation of internet is being developed with improved security, greater mobility and other features, researchers say. The transition will be gradual and seamless, with small groups adopting new apps and software before the old Internet disappears.
Researchers found that incorporating two ounces of tree nuts into the diet reduced CHD risk factors and 10-year CHD risk. The study's findings suggest that tree nuts can modify the fatty acid profile of adults with type 2 diabetes, contributing to a reduction in CHD risk.
A new transdermal selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) drug may help older cancer patients build muscle without harming liver function or HDL levels. The novel compound, AUSRM-057, avoids negative impacts on prostate health, making it a promising treatment option.
A new study explores the critical role of science in informing conservation action and its limitations. The authors examine the creation of Wyoming's Path of the Pronghorn migration corridor, highlighting the importance of public outreach, engagement, and collaboration with energy producers to achieve successful conservation outcomes.