Research from Monash University and Harvard Medical School reveals that restricting teenagers from driving unsupervised at night can significantly reduce car crashes. The study found a 19% decrease in crash rates for drivers aged 16-17, as well as substantial reductions in nighttime crashes and fatal injuries.
Researchers are working on a project to stabilize high-quality blood plasma proteins using special filter papers. The goal is to make it possible for patients to provide their own blood samples from home, reducing protein degradation and improving existing protocols with a simple and cost-effective method.
A Michigan State University study found that environmental activism can mitigate the negative impacts of population growth and economic affluence on greenhouse gas emissions. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that states with strong green voices tend to have lower emissions.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $12 million to six engineering and computer science departments to redesign their undergraduate programs. The funding will support groundbreaking changes in the professional formation of engineers and computer scientists.
Winning fish in Siamese fighting fish battles can generate more muscle energy than losing fish, highlighting the crucial role of biochemical processes. The study reveals how energy metabolism affects aggression in animals, contradicting the assumption that only conspicuous traits like antlers drive success.
A new method of converting squalene from microalgae to gasoline or jet fuel has been developed by Tohoku University researchers. The process uses a highly dispersed ruthenium catalyst supported on cerium oxide, producing branched alkanes with high stability and low freezing points.
A research team at Georgia Institute of Technology has realized a nonlinear material with opposite refractive indices at the fundamental and harmonic frequencies of light, as predicted theoretically. This discovery has significant implications for controlling light in information processing, sensing, and signal generation.
Elder abuse is a common issue globally, affecting up to 47% of older adults with dementia in North America. The prevalence varies widely across regions, with higher rates found in Asia and lower rates reported in some African countries.
Researchers used innovative methods to examine the ground around Mbeya in Tanzania, finding evidence of fluidisation and massive ground deformation. This discovery could be used to model how structures might be affected by future earthquakes, providing a valuable tool for hazard assessment.
A team of scientists has discovered a new enzyme that plays a critical role in the biosynthesis of vitamin A in plants and its unexpected dependence on heme iron. The findings could help increase the levels of provitamin A carotenoids in food crops, reducing global vitamin A deficiency.
A study found that low-income noncustodial fathers spend an average of $60 a month on in-kind provisions, while those paying formal child support spend about $38 a month. The most disadvantaged dads tend to give a higher proportion of their support through gifts.
A large cohort study found that men with poor sleep had a significantly higher risk of heart attack and stroke. The study also showed that sleeping disorders were associated with the social gradient, with higher rates in widowed or divorced individuals.
Use of bisphosphonates declined by 50% from 2008 to 2012 following media reports on rare fractures. The study published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research reveals a dramatic drop in osteoporosis medication use.
A statistical analysis of poll performance in battleground states over the last three presidential elections shows polling firms produced estimates that were fairly accurate in 2004 and 2008, but underestimated support for President Obama in 2012. The authors attribute this to outdated sampling methodology that excluded cellphone-only ...
Researchers at MIT propose that Saturn's polar cyclones are caused by small thunderstorms building up angular momentum, leading to the formation of large and long-lasting vortices. The team developed a model that predicts which planets would form such cyclones based on two parameters: atmospheric energy and storm size.
Researchers found that high levels of ALK1 protein in breast tumor vasculature correlate with increased risk of metastatic disease. An investigational drug targeting ALK1 prevented disease spread in preclinical studies, offering a potential new therapeutic approach for treating metastatic breast cancer.
A recent study published in Hemodialysis International found that the association between poverty and kidney disease changes over time. Adults beginning dialysis are more likely to be living in a poor zip code, with rates increasing from 27.4% in 1995-2004 to 34% in 2005-2010.
Researchers at Rutgers University found a strain of bacteria that can breathe uranium, which makes it immobile and prevents contamination of drinking water. The discovery holds promise for cleaning up polluted groundwater at sites where uranium ore was processed to make nuclear weapons.
A randomized trial found that patients assigned a diet they liked lost less weight and reported lower dietary adherence than those assigned a diet by their physician. The study suggests that choosing a diet based on food preferences may make it difficult for dieters to scale down on the amount they eat.
Researchers at University of Southampton develop translation dictionary for otoliths, allowing them to decode chemical signals about fish migrations. The study also reveals that sex can interfere with these signals, providing new insights into the biology and private lives of fish.
The KAIST research team has developed the first flexible phase-change random access memory (PRAM) on plastic substrates, achieving significant power reduction. This innovation is made possible by self-assembled block copolymer silica nanostructures, which lower the contact area and reduce power consumption.
A two-year study on bumble bees in Alaskan agricultural areas reveals declining populations of the western bumble bee species Bombus occidentalis, which is infected with Nosema and social parasites. The research provides baseline data for understanding reported patterns of bumble bee declines in North America.
A survey reveals that UK hospital post mortems are disappearing, with only half of one percent carried out in 2013. This decline has significant implications for quality assurance, public health, and the teaching of medical students.
A recent study by MD Anderson researchers identified DAPK1 as a novel therapeutic target for breast and other cancers with TP53 mutations. High levels of DAPK1 are associated with poor prognosis and increased cancer growth in these tumors.
UCSB, UC Davis, and PowWow Energy receive $2.3 million in funding to deploy a method to measure groundwater use and provide irrigation best practices for California's major crops such as alfalfa, almonds, pistachios, and tomatoes. The project aims to optimize agricultural water and energy efficiency during drought years.
Researchers used CT scans to study the brain anatomy of ichthyosaurs, revealing an enlarged olfactory region suggesting a key role for smell. The findings also show that vision was crucial for these marine predators.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a gene therapy that reduces production of brain protein α-synuclein, preventing Parkinson's disease progression in an animal study. The therapy targets mitochondria and α-synuclein interaction, showing promising results in protecting dopamine neurons.
Researchers found that modern toothed whales have inherited defunct copies of the Mx1 and Mx2 genes, profoundly altering their immune systems. The study aims to preserve these cetaceans as they face extensive die-offs.
A new study finds that providing direct assistance, such as counseling and nicotine replacement therapy, significantly improves the likelihood of patients quitting smoking. The research team analyzed data from over 1,600 participants who underwent lung cancer screening, finding that active clinician support increased quit rates by 40%.
In June, nearly three-quarters of all fires in the North China Plain occur, fueled by wheat residue burning. The practice, though prohibited, remains common due to its cost-effectiveness in clearing fields and fertilizing soil.
A study of 1403 women found that those exposed to higher levels of air pollution had reduced white matter in their brains. Ambient particulate air pollutants may have a deleterious effect on brain aging, according to researchers.
New research finds that equipping law enforcement officers with naloxone does not raise their risk of legal liability. The study concludes that officers should be authorized to administer naloxone to reduce opioid-related deaths and increase overdose rescue times.
Using advanced flow cytometry, University of Alberta scientists rapidly detect outbreaks of potentially toxic cyanobacteria, providing timely information to the public and notifying health officials. This helps prevent human health risks from toxic blue-green algae in lakes throughout Alberta.
A University of South Florida study confirms the dilution effect hypothesis, suggesting biodiversity loss poses a public health threat by causing disease outbreaks. The research found broad evidence that species-rich communities suffer less infectious disease, implying maintaining biodiversity could reduce parasite abundance.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have established conclusively that an activating protein called Rhes plays a pivotal role in focusing toxicity of Huntington's in the striatum. Deleting Rhes significantly reduces behavioral problems in animal models of the disease.
Cardiovascular outcomes trials are considered a high-risk venture due to long treatment periods and large sample sizes required to demonstrate incremental risk reduction. Simplifying randomized controlled trials could bring new therapies to market sooner, mitigating the impact of exclusivity loss and reducing development costs.
A study on the apple maggot pest discovered a massive genome shift in just one generation, with 32,000 genetic changes occurring within a single year. This significant finding highlights the importance of ecological selection at early stages of divergence and calls for further integration of studies on speciation and genome divergence.
Researchers from Boston Children's Hospital discovered that body's own immune cells produce bacteria-trapping NETs, which slow healing in diabetic mice. Methods to prevent NET production or cleave them might alleviate wound healing problems in people with diabetes.
Triassic dinosaurs failed to populate the tropics due to a highly unpredictable hot and dry climate, with extreme wildfires and elevated CO2 levels, making vegetation scarce. This study sheds light on the interplay between climate change and ecosystem evolution at low latitudes, providing new insights into the rise of dinosaurs.
A new study from Drexel University found that underground species of army ants are less tolerant of high temperatures than their aboveground relatives. The research highlights the importance of considering microhabitat in predicting animal responses to climate change.
A psychological evaluation of nine women who received a uterus from live donors indicates they adjusted psychologically well to their new life situation during the first year. Three of the seven remaining women have delivered healthy babies, with most reporting improved relationships with their donor and increased hope for a family.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a precision scalpel to excise target genomic regions, revealing essential and non-essential genes. The CRISPR-Cas system enables targeted editing of DNA sequences, allowing for the identification of core genomic regions critical for bacterial survival.
Scientists in Canada and UK successfully sequenced and assembled de novo the full genome of E. coli using Oxford Nanopore's MinION device, providing proof of concept for the technology and its potential to sequence genomes in complex organisms like humans.
Researchers at Columbia University have successfully demonstrated an on-chip visible light source using graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms. The graphene-based light emitter can be integrated into chips and is expected to revolutionize the development of photonic circuits and displays.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine estimates that cigarette smoking is responsible for nearly half of deaths from 12 smoking-related cancers among adults aged 35 and older. Lung cancer accounts for a significant proportion of these deaths, with approximately 80% of cases attributed to smoking.
The study found a significant decline in smoking rates among nursing and physiotherapy students in Spain from 2003 to 2013. Many students remained unaware of the link between smoking and diseases, indicating a deficiency in undergraduate training.
Studies found increased incidents of rheumatoid arthritis and giant cell arteritis in concert with the cycle of magnetic activity of the sun. Correlations were strongest between diseases and geomagnetic activity, with GCA incidence peaking within one year of intense geomagnetic activity.
Research by CIFAR scholars found that belonging to multiple groups boosts self-esteem, particularly when they contribute to one's sense of identity. This is in contrast to having a large network of friends, which does not predict self-esteem.
The study reveals that wild climate swings in the tropics made it difficult for large, warm-blooded dinosaur herbivores to survive. The researchers found that wildfires swept the landscape during arid regimes, continually reshaping vegetation available for plant-eating animals.
Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München have found that the viral protein LMP2A helps EBV-infected cells evade immune detection. This may contribute to the development of cancer, particularly in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Scientists have discovered that dinosaurs remained rare near the equator during the late Triassic period due to extreme climate fluctuations and wildfires that fueled hotter fires. The study revealed a pattern of rapid vegetation changes related to climate shifts, which led to droughts and plant die-offs.
A study published in PNAS found that strictly protected areas, like parks and reserves, have lower incidences of malaria, acute respiratory infections, and diarrhea. By preserving biodiversity, these areas can act as a barrier to disease transmission, suggesting a potential double win for public health benefits.
The journal celebrates its 10-year milestone with a special issue featuring articles on blood pressure targets, cardiac care for women, and pharmacogenomics. Recent advances and emerging challenges in specific areas of cardiology are reviewed.
A nationwide analysis of over 8,000 children conceived through ART found no difference in educational test scores compared to spontaneously conceived children. The study suggests that ART pregnancies, particularly twins, do not have a negative impact on academic performance in adolescence.
A new study reveals how a common species of diatom adjusts to sudden and long-term increases in carbon dioxide. The research found that diatoms decrease photosynthesis and respiration to balance the cell's energy budget when CO2 levels remain high for a long time.
Researchers have developed a novel deformation monitoring technique using bistatic differential interferometry with GNSS as transmitters, achieving high accuracy and low cost. The method combines DGNSS and D-InSAR for real-time subsidence monitoring, potentially replacing traditional techniques and enhancing national security.
A new approach uses economic value to help achieve a sustainable future by valuing nature's ecosystem services. The world's gross domestic product has increased nearly 60 times since the start of the Industrial Revolution, but this growth comes at the expense of natural stewardship.
A genetically engineered mouse with weaker bones has a strong metabolism, suggesting a potential link between bone health and obesity-related type 2 diabetes. The study highlights the endocrine role of bone in regulating metabolism, and its exploration may lead to new avenues for treatment.
Research published in the journal Heart found a strong association between daily chocolate consumption and reduced cardiovascular disease risk. Participants who ate more chocolate had lower risks of heart disease, stroke, and related death.
A new study finds that shoppers' willingness to pay more for sustainably grown palm oil could create profitable incentives for producers to preserve certain wildlife habitats. The study shows that higher prices for 'conservation grade' products can promote biodiversity at the least cost to oil palm companies.