A VCU professor has received a five-year grant to extend the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries, reducing their cost and carbon footprint. He aims to develop alternative battery materials that are nontoxic and abundant, enabling the creation of more sustainable energy storage solutions.
A University of Central Florida study warns that climate change is eroding beach habitats critical to sea turtle survival, threatening a 30-year conservation success story. The study suggests that armoring beaches with hard structures could harm wildlife, including sea turtles.
Researchers have discovered two sub-glacial lakes beneath the ice in Greenland that have rapidly drained away, filling and emptying twice in a matter of years. The sudden disappearance of these lakes raises concerns about the stability of the Greenland Ice Sheet and its potential impact on global sea levels.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory developed a method to create an antireflective surface on silicon solar cells using self-assembled nanotextures inspired by the structure of moths' eyes. The resulting surface reduces reflections and improves sunlight conversion, outperforming state-of-the-art coatings by up to 20%.
A study by Monica Wadhwa and Kuangjie Zhang found that rounded prices make consumers more likely to buy products driven by emotions, such as a family vacation camera. Non-rounded prices lead to rational purchasing decisions for utility-based purchases like school equipment.
Researchers at MIT found that injected carbon dioxide only partially converts to rock, with the majority remaining in a gaseous form. This limitation poses challenges for long-term sequestration efforts.
A new Weight Watchers study shows members distance themselves from others in support groups as they reach weight loss goals, highlighting the need for strategies to keep people engaged and working towards their objectives.
Research suggests that aiming for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week may be unrealistic for some adults, particularly older individuals. Increasing daily physical activity by even small amounts can lead to significant health benefits, as shown in studies of moderate to vigorous exercise.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center investigators found that patients with heart failure who used left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) for six months or longer showed significant regeneration of heart muscle. Oxidative damage to a cell-regulator mechanism was prevented, leading to an increase in cardiomyocyte proliferation.
Researchers have created an efficient manganese catalyst capable of converting sunlight into chemical energy. The breakthrough, published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, paves the way for a continuous and environmentally-friendly storage form of solar energy.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have found a new type of antibiotic resistance that doesn't rely on genetic mutations. Bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics without DNA changes by altering their cell wall, making them harder to treat with standard tests.
A team led by Dr. Andrew Craig is developing inhibitory antibodies targeting key signals that cancer cells require for metastasis. The goal is to identify lead antibodies and test their potency in pre-clinical models to develop new immunotherapies for clinical trials.
Scientists develop a new approach to combat cocaine addiction by using a modified bacterial protein to trigger an immune system response. The strategy has shown promise in animal studies, offering hope for the creation of effective vaccines against drug abuse.
A new study found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder tend to display uniquely individualistic brain organization patterns. The researchers suggest that these idiosyncrasies may be a result of disrupted interactions with the environment.
A new self-powered non-mechanical intelligent keyboard generates electricity from user fingertips, capturing unique typing styles for enhanced computer security. This innovative device uses individual keystroke patterns to identify users and prevent unauthorized access.
A new review article reveals pasture-fed lamb meat is rich in polyunsaturated fats, offering a lower saturated fat alternative. The study suggests this change could help reduce cardiovascular disease risk in Western diets.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that humorous complaints on Amazon and Yelp get more attention from consumers but may not lead to serious responses from businesses. Consumers tend to prefer funny reviews over non-humorous ones.
Researchers have discovered two new drug compounds that target endometriosis by interacting with estrogen receptors, reducing inflammation and tissue growth. The compounds, OBHS and CLI, showed promising results in mouse models and human cell cultures, offering a potential new approach to treating the disorder.
A new study found a significant correlation between Medicaid reimbursement increases for primary care providers and improved appointment availability. The Affordable Care Act's fee bump resulted in a 7.7 percentage point increase in new patient appointment availability.
Kessler Foundation researchers found that subjective and objective cognitive fatigue are independent factors, with increased time on task leading to higher levels of fatigue in MS individuals. Task length was the key factor associated with cognitive fatigue, supporting the Temporal Fatigue hypothesis.
Research finds children exceeding screen time limits, with girls more likely to exceed recommendations for social media use as they age. The study suggests re-evaluating guidelines due to the rise of mobile devices and their impact on health.
A team of researchers has developed a platform to rapidly identify effective drug combinations for lung cancer patients with resistant tumors. The NFCR-supported study uses cells taken from patient tumors and treats them with various drug combinations to find the most effective treatments.
A study by University of Missouri and Lehigh University researchers discovered that job seekers with learning goal orientation are more successful in achieving career goals. Individuals with this disposition tend to react to failures by intensifying their search process, while those with low LGO decrease intensity. The study suggests t...
Research shows that stomach sleepers with epilepsy are at higher risk of sudden unexpected death, often occurring during sleep. The study found that 73% of cases died in the stomach sleep position, and younger people were more likely to be found on their stomachs.
A new study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found a link between pain during or after sexual intercourse and mode of delivery. Women who had an operative vaginal birth assisted by vacuum extraction, forceps, or caesarean section were at higher risk for persisting dyspareunia. Intimate partner a...
New research published in The Lancet Psychiatry suggests that video-based therapy can modify the emergence of autism-related behaviors and symptoms in infants at risk of autism. The therapy showed improvements in infant engagement, attention, and social behavior, with a moderate effect on reducing some children's risk of autism.
GOES-West satellite captured the birth of Tropical Cyclone Niko, with maximum sustained winds near 45 knots. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane after passing Tahiti and entering the open waters of the South Pacific Ocean.
A study found that Indian companies learned to compete by acquiring knowledge from leaders, competitors, and other firms in their networks. This approach allowed them to grow at a remarkable speed despite their lack of experience.
Scientists have created a novel biocontainment method by making genetically modified E. coli dependent on a synthetic amino acid, which can only be obtained from laboratory cultures. This approach aims to prevent the bacteria from surviving in open environments and potentially causing ecological harm or contamination.
A study by James Cook University highlights the growing demand for skin-whitening products in Australia, particularly among Indian women. The marketing of these products perpetuates social and professional success with lighter skin tone, raising moral concerns about cultural values and ethnic stereotypes.
A new computational method can identify positions in the human genome that play a role in cell function, revealing insights into genetic regulation and potential applications in personalized medicine. The study found that 4.2 to 7.5 percent of nucleotides in the human genome have influenced fitness since humans diverged from chimpanzees.
Researchers identified four proteins - stefin A1, slc25a5, serpinb3b, and KLK6 - that appear most likely to contribute to psoriasis. These findings advance efforts to understand the disease's causes and develop treatments.
Researchers have discovered that silver nanoparticles' toxicity can be modulated by carbohydrate coatings, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Nanobiotechnology. The study found that glucose-coated silver nanoparticles are more toxic than those coated with galactose or mannose.
Researchers found a correlation between human population density and vegetation cover in Africa, increasing the risk of animal-to-human Ebola transmission. In contrast, areas with low population density saw a decrease in risk, suggesting that landscape configuration plays a role in transmission.
A new study by UCLA researchers found that walnut consumption was associated with improved cognitive function in adults, regardless of age or ethnicity. The study suggests that eating a handful of walnuts daily could help improve cognitive health.
Research in Seychelles finds that fish consumption during pregnancy may offset mercury exposure risks, with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) counteracting toxic effects. Higher PUFA levels in mothers are linked to better neurological development in children.
The Leverhulme Interdisciplinary Network on Cybersecurity and Society (LINCS) brings together researchers from two world-class centres to explore the growing area of cyber security. Researchers will examine the knock-on effects on society, including legal, ethical and cultural implications.
Researchers study goshawk attack tactics, finding birds hold victims in gaze for initial stage before switching to parallel pursuit. Prey evade capture by making sharp sideways turns, exploiting predator's visual guidance.
Scientists tested 100 undergraduate students in a memory experiment and found that even simple pieces of information were often forgotten when not expected. However, participants performed better when the information was relevant to their current task. This suggests that people's expectations play a significant role in determining what...
Researchers identified a gene called Gpr56 that regulates nerve cell insulation in the central nervous system. Without proper insulation, nerve cells can't transmit signals efficiently, leading to diseases like multiple sclerosis.
A recent study found that companies with strong corporate social responsibility practices receive more forgiveness from customers when their service is poor. Customers who support a favorite charity are less likely to express anger or leave negative reviews, and may even return in the future.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania found that negative emotions on Twitter are associated with higher heart disease risk, while positive emotions are linked to lower risk. The study used a large dataset of tweets and health data to develop a predictive model for coronary heart disease rates.
A team of physicists has found that protons and neutrons in large atomic nuclei do not behave as predicted by existing models. The researchers used experimental data from various elements to fit parameters into the current model, showing that quantum effects and nuclear vibrations have a lower impact on individual particles than thought.
A new study in the Journal of Marketing shows that the scent surrounding a store atmosphere can influence consumer choices. Researchers found that warm fragrances make consumers perceive crowded spaces, leading them to compensate by buying prestigious items and increasing their purchases overall.
A recent study found that California's forest structure is undergoing changes due to a warmer, drier climate, resulting in the decline of larger trees and an increase in smaller trees. This trend is observed across all regions of the state, with oaks becoming more dominant as pines decline.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found strong associations between mechanisms related to immune function and changes in gene expression. The research identified shared biological pathways among psychiatric disorders, shedding light on the development of these conditions.
Researchers have created a new hydrogel that can be injected into wounds, forming scaffolds that help them heal quickly. The material promotes angiogenesis, the growth of blood vessels, which is essential for tissue repair and reduces the risk of complications.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that urban living is not a significant risk factor for asthma, instead highlighting the importance of poverty, African-American race, and Puerto Rican ethnicity as potent predictors. The research found no differences in asthma rates between children living in urban areas and their suburba...
Researchers developed an intervention to help individuals gradually increase their hearing-aid use and satisfaction. The study found that over half of participants increased their hearing-aid use from zero to four hours, and 60% reported being satisfied with their devices.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory created a new computational method, fitCons, which compares changes in DNA letters across species and within individuals to identify functionally important sequences. The analysis suggests that only about 7% of the human genome is functional.
Stephen Sparks has improved our ability to see deadly eruptions coming through his work on volcanic deposits, magma chambers, and pyroclastic flows. His methodical approach has produced a long list of discoveries that have improved practical understanding of volcanic hazards globally.
A new analysis of seven years of bird sightings by volunteer birdwatchers found increasing trends for 14 species, including cormorants and harlequin ducks. The study suggests that these birds may be turning the corner, with positive trends also reported in nesting surveys.
A new study reveals that ghrelin, a key regulator of appetite, plays an unexpected role in early brain development and influences long-term appetite regulation. The research suggests a link between gut-brain axis maturation and later susceptibility to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
A new study found that Asian citrus psyllid populations decrease with higher elevations, dropping to zero above 600 meters. This trend may provide insights into the insects' vulnerabilities and potentially lead to strategies to control their spread.
A University of Minnesota study shows that a warmer climate will change the composition of northern forests, with oak and maple trees replacing spruce and fir. The study found that oaks and maples are better suited to warmer temperatures and can outcompete boreal species for sunlight and water.
Scientists create a chemical modified version of second messenger cAMP that selectively activates only Epac2, one of several proteins involved in insulin secretion. The analogue activates Epac2 more potently than cAMP itself, offering insights into the protein's function and potential as a pharmacological target.
A new study published in JAMA found that a nurse-implemented sedation protocol did not reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation in children. The protocol aimed to provide targeted sedation and adjust doses every 8 hours, but it had no significant impact on time on ventilator or recovery from acute respiratory failure.
A study found that working collaboratively improved medical students' diagnostic accuracy, with pairs of students outperforming individuals in selecting correct diagnoses. The collaboration also led to longer completion times but more confident decisions.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have shown that cesium atoms can indeed take two paths at the same time, contradicting the macro-realistic view. The team's experiment uses optical tweezers to manipulate a single Caesium atom and measures its final position indirectly.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a method to create extremely water-repellent metals using lasers, which can lead to efficient solar absorbers and self-cleaning surfaces. The technique creates multifunctional surfaces with both super-hydrophobic and highly-absorbent optical properties.