Researchers at the University of Illinois have designed a new nanoparticle that combines weak chemical forces to improve MRI imaging. The innovation, inspired by cell membranes, has led to clearer images and paved the way for better diagnostic tools.
A new study found that when consumers focus on internal feelings of power, they are less likely to purchase luxury items like BMWs. However, when focused on expected behavior, people in powerful roles are more likely to buy status-signaling products.
Scientists have developed a novel solid storage material that can efficiently store hydrogen, a clean fuel alternative to fossil fuels. The new material packs a large amount of hydrogen in a stable and safe way, overcoming one of the key technological challenges of storing hydrogen.
Research from North Carolina State University found that dam removal improves spawning grounds for American shad and may boost their survival rates. The study reveals high mortality rates among adult fish during spawning, but suggests that improving fish passage could lead to better outcomes.
Researchers used computer simulations to identify most effective drugs for brain cancer, considering genomic signatures and predicted sensitivities. The approach may help personalize therapies for cancer patients, selectively testing effective drugs while reducing exposure to toxic ones.
The Journalists in Aging Fellows Program is expanding its coverage of aging issues thanks to new funding support from AARP. The program will include regional briefings and telebriefings to keep journalists engaged year-round.
Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered an enzyme, Rac1b, that is tightly linked to the development of aggressive pancreatic cancer. The study provides key insights into the most aggressive form of the disease and offers a potential way to gauge outcome in individual patients.
Researchers at MIT and Stanford University have developed a new approach to harnessing low-temperature waste heat, leveraging the thermogalvanic effect to produce electricity. The system combines battery charging-discharging cycles with heating and cooling, allowing for efficient energy conversion even with small temperature differences.
A new study by Soo Kim and David Gal found that practicing self-acceptance can help individuals avoid damaging behavior and increase the likelihood of improving areas where they fall short. Self-acceptance may be a more effective alternative to self-destructive behaviors, promoting overall well-being.
Researchers from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland discover a new anticancer compound, Cent-1, that kills cancer cells through a similar mechanism to Rigosertib. This breakthrough uses computer-assisted screening and cell-based assays to accelerate drug discovery and potentially lower development costs.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute found that a protein with a propensity to form aggregates protects against Alzheimer's disease when produced in the brain. Boosting its production specifically in neurons could help ward off Alzheimer's disease, according to the study published in the Journal of Neuroscience.
A new study found that physical activity is the most important factor in slowing the progression from metabolically healthy to at-risk obesity in overweight women. Over seven years, researchers identified a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease risk among those who were physically active.
Experts caution that reducing medical resident duty hours could compromise patient safety and resident education. Research suggests that sleep-deprived residents can still provide high-quality care despite reduced hours.
A study published by the American Thoracic Society found that elevated blood eosinophil levels are a risk factor for asthma exacerbations in adults. The study analyzed data from over 2,300 patients and found that higher baseline eosinophil levels were associated with an increased risk of future exacerbations.
A study found that genetic alterations in lung cancer tumors can help select targeted treatments, resulting in improved survival rates for patients. The researchers identified actionable oncogenic drivers in 64% of patients and used this data to guide treatment decisions.
A new real-time disease surveillance system successfully monitored public health risks among 5 million pilgrims from 184 countries during the Hajj 2012 and 2013. The system rapidly relayed demographic and health data to guide investigation and intervention.
New research suggests that adults who lose weight at any age can enjoy improved cardiovascular health. Long-term exposure to excess body fat in adulthood is linked to increased cardiovascular risk factors, but even modest weight loss can reduce these manifestations.
Researchers are developing a new, freeze-stable tetanus vaccine using lipid nanoparticles and a hollow microneedle system. The delivery device can target specific areas of the skin, increasing vaccine efficacy.
Researchers at NIH screened 290 approved compounds and identified 27 with activity against both MERS-CoV and SARS coronavirus. These compounds, from various pharmaceutical classes, inhibited the viruses' ability to enter and infect cells. The study provides a potential solution for outbreaks due to emerging viruses.
Researchers developed a new cognitive test that can accurately distinguish between memory impairments caused by very mild Alzheimer's disease and those due to normal aging. The test assesses relational memory abilities and reveals unique impairments specific to Alzheimer's, allowing for more precise diagnosis.
Children with deployed parents are at risk for emotional, behavioral, and relationship difficulties. School-based interventions can help address these needs by recognizing the impact of military culture on children's behaviors.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are gathering data on consumer motivations to develop sophisticated computer models for predicting solar purchase dynamics. The project aims to increase the nation's share of solar energy in the electricity market by 2030.
A cost-saving, coordinated brain care model developed by Indiana University researchers is attracting nationwide attention for its ability to improve health outcomes and quality of care while lowering costs. The ABC model, tested in large clinical trials, improves care at a lower cost than standard care.
The study sequenced the genome of a dampwood termite, highlighting key differences and similarities with other social insects. The findings provide insight into how social insects evolved and could lead to new baits for controlling termites.
A study by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that genomic tumor testing can improve survival for patients with advanced lung cancers. The test identified oncogenic drivers in 64% of tumors, leading to improved outcomes when matched with targeted therapies.
Researchers tested whether ancestral human diets, or paleo diets, result in better appetite suppression. They found that high-fiber plant-based diets likely do not lead to increased SCFAs and appetite suppression, but rather may help baboons maintain grazing all day to consume enough nutrients.
Researchers have sequenced the termite genome, revealing unique genetic targets for better control. The study aims to develop more specific and environmentally friendly solutions to combat termite infestations.
The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study found that low levels of physical activity combined with heavy use of electronic media increases the risk for type 2 diabetes and vascular diseases in 6-8 year-old children. Heavy electronic media use is also linked to higher risk factors even in physically active children.
UCSB's residential dining services incorporated local pesticide-free or organic produce into their menu, resulting in a significant increase in sustainable food options. The project demonstrated that scaling up local food systems can have a positive impact on the community and environment.
A study by Deanna Soper and colleagues found that exposure to parasites increases mating behavior and promiscuity in New Zealand freshwater snails. This supports the Red Queen hypothesis, which suggests that sexual reproduction helps organisms adapt to a changing environment by increasing genetic diversity.
School-based flu vaccine programs face financial challenges due to low reimbursement rates from third-party payers. Despite parental support for the program, billing and reimbursement issues pose significant problems for administrators.
A new 3D capillary device has been developed to improve the manufacture of high-quality liposomes, a crucial step in delivering drugs directly to cancer cells. The device increases production threefold while reducing costs, offering a significant breakthrough for the field.
Researchers challenge previous predictions suggesting a potential breach of the third law of thermodynamics at extremely low temperatures. They demonstrate that particles confined within finite volumes, even at zero temperature, do not violate the law.
A recent study found a 46% drop in Central Valley wintertime fog days between November and February, which is crucial for fruit and nut crops. The researchers suggest climate forecasts indicate continued decline in winter chill accumulation, prompting farmers to consider adjusting orchard locations.
The Prolaris test accurately predicted 10-year death rates from prostate cancer and outperformed antiquated upgrading practice. In conservatively managed patients, the test differentiated high-risk disease from lower-risk disease.
A new survey reveals that women are increasingly frustrated with their sex lives due to premature ejaculation, as men prioritize delay over intimacy. Women who rarely climax suffer more and experience a loss in quality of life, leading to relationship strain and breakups.
Researchers analyzed aerial images of fairy circles in northwest Namibia and found a remarkably regular and homogeneous distribution pattern. This suggests local resource-competition among plants and vegetation as the most likely cause, rather than termites or underground gas emissions.
The Genetics Society of America has honored nine young researchers with poster awards for their innovative work on Drosophila melanogaster. The winners, who presented at the 55th Annual Drosophila Research Conference, explored various aspects of genetic and molecular biology. Their research has significant implications for understandin...
A genetic study has identified three distinct subspecies of humpback whales in the North Pacific, North Atlantic, and Southern Hemisphere. The findings suggest that these populations have been isolated for thousands of years, with some populations migrating only between warm equatorial waters.
The Global Matrix, a first-of-its-kind report, assesses 15 countries' physical activity levels in children. Scotland ranks poorly in two categories: overall physical activity and sedentary behavior, with grades of F.
Research reveals that increasing heart failure severity is associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes. Patients with more severe heart failure were found to be three times more likely to develop diabetes than those with milder cases.
Researchers identify Bmp7 molecule as key player in establishing auditory system organization and positioning of sensory cells. The study offers insight into how hair cells learn to detect specific frequencies, shedding light on a fundamental principle of the auditory system.
A study found no significant difference in effectiveness between long-acting injectable versions of second-generation and older antipsychotic medications. Participants taking paliperidone palmitate gained weight, while those taking haloperidol decanoate lost weight.
Scientists suggest that every town could have a small-scale cultured meat factory, producing sustainable and cruelty-free meat alternatives. The production process involves taking stem cells from cell banks and using them to create minced meat cakes.
A study published in JAMA Network found that physical therapy did not significantly improve pain or function in adults with hip osteoarthritis. However, the treatment group reported more adverse events, which were relatively mild.
A large study found that sleep apnea is independently associated with high and low frequency hearing impairment. The study analyzed data from nearly 14,000 individuals and found that sleep apnea was linked to a 31% increase in high frequency hearing impairment and a 90% increase in low frequency hearing impairment.
A researcher has studied the coupling of plasmon and dipolar collective modes in a monolayer of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a promising two-dimensional material. The investigation reveals that these collective excitations play a key role in describing many-body quantum systems, with potential applications.
A study found that tobacco exposure and male sex are significant risk factors for developing ocular sarcoidosis, which affects 25-50% of patients with the disease. The risk is greater than 5-fold for those exposed to tobacco and more than 7-fold for males.
BYU professors create sloped channels with micro posts or ribs, producing highly hydrophobic surfaces. These surfaces could significantly speed up steam condensation in power plants, saving time and costs.
Researchers have analyzed fossilized feces from 1,500-year-old coprolites to determine the bacterial and fungal populations present in two extinct cultures. The study found distinct differences between the fecal communities of these cultures, providing evidence that they may have had different origins.
A new species of praying mantis, the bush tiger mantis, has been discovered in Rwanda's Nyungwe Forest National Park by a Case Western Reserve University student. The female mantis hunts prey on the ground and underbrush, while the male flies.
A recent study found that public interest in climate change has remained steady despite negative media reports and scandals, but is not stirred by positive science. The researchers suggest that climate scientists should re-examine how to engage the public more effectively.
Researchers at McMaster University have successfully tested an antibody that can improve the quality of life for individuals with asthma by relieving inflammation in the lungs. The study found that blocking a specific protein in the lungs with an antibody alleviates baseline inflammation and provides resistance to allergens.
A new Australian study reveals that individuals who consume energy drinks with alcohol are more likely to experience negative outcomes such as aggression, violence, and injury. Hedonistic motives related to pleasure and sensation are highly implicated in A+ED consumption.
A NYU study finds that a program reducing behavior problems improves math and reading skills among low-income kindergartners. The INSIGHTS intervention, which addresses social-emotional development, is shown to enhance learning outcomes and decrease behavioral issues.
A new Northwestern University study reveals that high gamma-tocopherol levels, found in soybean, corn, and canola oils, are associated with decreased lung function and increased asthma risk. In contrast, alpha-tocopherol, found in olive and sunflower oils, is linked to better lung function.
Recent shale development has generally benefited local governments in the US, generating new revenues from property taxes, sales taxes, and severance taxes. However, some municipalities have struggled to manage rapid population growth and associated infrastructure needs.
A large UCL survey found that e-cigarette users are 60% more likely to quit smoking than those using willpower alone or over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies. The study suggests that e-cigarettes could play a positive role in reducing smoking rates, but the strongest evidence remains for NHS stop-smoking services.
A study led by a Cummings School veterinarian aims to explore the benefits of pets in reducing childhood obesity. The research project will test whether companion animals can aid children in sticking with weight loss interventions.
Two Harvard Medical School faculty members, Patricia D'Amore and Joan Miller, have been recognized with the 2015 Proctor Medal and Mildred Weisenfeld Award for Excellence in Ophthalmology, respectively. Their groundbreaking research on vascular growth and development has led to significant advancements in anti-angiogenic therapies, imp...