The National Science Foundation has announced 2015 Graduate Research Fellowship recipients, representing a diverse group of scientific disciplines and backgrounds. The awardees receive three years of financial support for graduate study leading to a research-based master's or doctoral degree.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have successfully integrated quantum teleportation circuits onto a photonic chip, overcoming scalability limitations. This breakthrough enables the development of ultra-high-speed quantum computers and strengthens communication security.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that older executives have higher crystallized intelligence, but lower fluid intelligence, which involves reasoning and problem-solving abilities. The researchers suggest that employers should be cautious when using tests of inductive reasoning to avoid age discrimination.
A new study provides experimental evidence that a drug inhibiting the EphB-signaling pathway effectively suppresses intestinal tumor development. The study suggests that this knowledge may lead to novel treatments for colorectal cancer patients.
Researchers found that exposure to a common growth-promoting hormone affects the sexual behaviors of fish, altering male reproductive behavior in guppy fish. This has significant implications for individual populations and species, with potential devastating long-term evolutionary and ecological impacts.
A multi-institutional effort led by Berkeley Lab will develop a new ecosystem model to explore how tropical forests respond to climate change. The project, NGEE-Tropics, will carry out experiments in tropical forests around the globe to reduce uncertainty and improve future climate projections.
A blood test between 10-14 weeks of pregnancy accurately diagnosed all 38 fetuses with Down syndrome, surpassing standard non-invasive screening techniques. The cell-free DNA blood test correctly identified fetuses with two other less common chromosomal abnormalities.
A new Wayne State University study demonstrates altered communication between brain centers in children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The research found that the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex exerts exaggerated brain network effects in OCD, suggesting a putative scientific framework for understanding the disorder.
Researchers have dated the Little Foot skeleton to 3.67 million years old, while Oldowan artefacts are approximately 2 million years old. This new evidence sheds light on the age of key hominid and palaeontological discoveries at Sterkfontein Caves.
Archaeologists uncovered a complete camel skeleton in Tulln, Austria, dating back to the 17th century, shedding light on camel use in Central Europe. The hybrid camel, with a dromedary mother and Bactrian father, was likely used for military transportation, not food.
Researchers found that inflammatory cells from the bloodstream play a key role in neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. CD95L-bearing immune cells cause damage to neurons, and blocking this molecule can prevent neurodegeneration in mice. This suggests that early treatment with drugs targeting CD95L might mitigate Parkinson's symptoms.
Using quantum chemistry and X-ray spectroscopy, researchers have gained insights into the bonding behavior of iron pentacarbonyl. The study could lead to the development of novel catalysts for chemical storage of solar energy by understanding how photons interact with molecules on ultrafast timescales.
Researchers have developed an innovative cooling scheme for massive mechanical resonators, overcoming the limitation of quantum backaction. By utilizing destructive quantum interference in a cavity optomechanical system, they achieve ground state cooling beyond three orders of magnitude.
A recent study by Penn State psychologists found that college students often disregard social norms when texting, with many admitting to sending texts during funerals, in the shower, or while having sex. The researchers suggest that breaking with these norms is too tempting for most students, who prioritize checking their texts over pr...
Researchers develop a new detection scheme to create an optical gyroscope with a tiny size, potentially enabling compact navigation systems for aerospace technology. The new design allows for improved sensitivity, opening up opportunities for micro-payloads in space missions.
A new study by Santa Fe Institute researchers reveals that public companies have a standard mortality rate, lasting about ten years before being acquired, merged, or liquidated. The findings contradict existing theories and evidence on company mortality, which suggested varying rates based on age and economic sector.
A recent study by University of Zurich researchers found that power poses, commonly believed to boost confidence and influence hormones, have no impact on actual behavior. However, the study did show that power poses can affect one's perception of power, leading to increased self-confidence.
Researchers found that simpler antibiotic regimens are as safe and effective as standard treatments, allowing more infants with severe infections to receive life-saving treatment at home. The study demonstrated that outpatient treatments with fewer injections can produce similar results to the traditional course of twice daily injections.
A study published in Diabetologia found that spending more time watching TV daily increases the risk of developing diabetes by 3.4%. The research used data from participants in the Diabetes Prevention Program, which showed a reduction in sitting behavior despite the absence of specific goals aimed at reducing it.
A new study found that the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) bolsters recipients' self-respect by emphasizing their role as working parents and providers. The program lifts 7 million people out of poverty annually, with half being children.
Archaeologists have discovered a unique complete camel skeleton unearthed in Tulln, Austria, dating back to the 17th century. DNA analysis reveals the animal was a hybrid of a dromedary and Bactrian camel. The find provides insight into the use of camels as exotic animals during the Ottoman era.
A new study investigates the cooling and warming effects of forests at both a global scale and high spatial resolution. Researchers found that tropical forests have a strong cooling effect year-round, while boreal and temperate forests show seasonal variation in temperature.
Current residential development research is limited by single-discipline perspectives, missing holistic insights into environmental, economic, and social impacts. Key findings include the underrepresentation of ecosystem processes and nutrient cycling in studies.
A new study found that exercise alone can lower the risk of heart defects in babies born to older mouse mothers. The research suggests that genetic mutations are tied to age, not egg quality, and that healthy metabolism and exercise may play a crucial role in preventing congenital heart disease.
Training pediatric primary care providers improved their confidence and knowledge of adolescent depression, increasing screening frequency. The study found that providers who received training were more likely to identify early signs of depression and discuss treatment options with patients.
A recent study warns that adolescents consuming energy drinks are at risk of sudden cardiac deaths and arrhythmias. The researchers recommend caution when it comes to ED consumption before or during sports practice, as well as consulting cardiologists for underlying medical conditions.
A new study by Jennifer Sykes and colleagues found that the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program bolsters recipients' self-respect by emphasizing their role as working parents and providers. The EITC has lifted approximately 7 million people out of poverty every year, about half of those children.
A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that visual objects are represented by a distributed network in the human brain. Researchers used single-neuron activity recordings from epilepsy patients to test the idea of
A Cancer Research UK review found that older people, women, and less affluent individuals are at a higher risk of emergency cancer diagnoses. The study also revealed that emergency-diagnosed cancers tend to have poorer survival rates compared to those diagnosed through other routes.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast created a unique perfume system that releases more of its aroma when it comes into contact with moisture, resulting in a better smell. The innovative system also removes the bad odors associated with sweat by attracting and neutralizing thiol compounds.
Echoes and fluctuations in volume are key cues for judging sound distance, a finding that opens up new possibilities for improving hearing aids and prostheses. Researchers used tiny microphones to record rabbit sounds and simulated modulated noise, measuring neural responses in the midbrain.
A team of scientists from Purdue University and other institutions dated the 'Little Foot' skeleton at 3.67 million years old using a new radioisotopic dating technique called isochron burial dating. This places Little Foot as an older relative of Lucy, a famous Australopithecus skeleton dated at 3.2 million years old.
A study published in The FASEB Journal found that the androgen receptor confers protection against diet-induced atherosclerosis, obesity, and dyslipidemia in female mice. Researchers discovered this association by comparing female mice with and without the androgen receptor.
A University of York student has helped develop a new drug release gel that may help avoid some of the side effects of painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen. The gel is based on small molecules that self-assemble into nanofibers, allowing for precise control over drug release.
A Broad Institute-MIT team has identified a highly efficient new Cas9 nuclease that overcomes the primary challenge to in vivo genome editing, expanding therapeutic and experimental applications of CRISPR. The new tool is expected to improve scientists' ability to screen for gene mutations and understand gene function using animal models.
Researchers used longer-read sequencing technology to reconstruct microbial communities, revealing over 400 previously unknown species and improving understanding of environmental processes.
A new study found that apps with ads consume more energy, slow down phones, and use up to 100% more data than those without ads, leading to lower user ratings. The research compared 21 top apps from the past year and measured their impact on phones using analysis tools.
Researchers identified mission-critical auditory tasks, prioritizing sounds like 'Medic!', grid references and commands. A new hearing test will assess auditory fitness-for-duty in combat situations.
A CNIO team has developed a method to rescue premature aging in mice by increasing the body's capacity to produce DNA building blocks. By introducing a mutation that boosts nucleotide production, the researchers doubled the lifespan of ATR-mutant mice from 24 weeks to 50 weeks, also alleviating symptoms of Seckel syndrome.
A new molecule designed to specifically target a cancer-causing transcription factor has shown potential to extend survival in some leukemia patients. The small molecule, AI-10-49, inhibits the progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by sequestering an oncogenic mutant, leaving normal transcription factor activity intact.
Researchers at NC State University and Carnegie Mellon University developed a lightweight ankle exoskeleton that increases walking efficiency without using energy from batteries. The device reduces metabolic energy consumption by 7 percent, improving the 'gas mileage' of human walking.
NASA's fleet of satellites captured stunning views of Super Typhoon Maysak's eye and powerful thunderstorms. The storm dropped rain at a rate of over 70 mm per hour northwest of its well-defined eye. Maysak was moving west-northwest towards the Philippines, where it is expected to make landfall on April 4.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have discovered a new class of receptors that ketamine binds to, which may underlie its diverse effects. This finding opens the door for designing drugs that interact specifically with these receptors, potentially leading to more targeted treatments.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation has updated its clinical practice guideline for adult sinusitis. The new guideline emphasizes the importance of shared decision-making between patients and clinicians, including deciding whether to use antibiotics for acute bacterial sinusitis. Key recommendations ...
A Phase 1 trial of VSV-ZEBOV, an experimental Ebola vaccine, found it safe and elicited robust antibody responses in all 40 healthy adults who received it. The vaccine showed a favorable safety profile with mild or moderate fever experienced by 30% of participants.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells exhibit high genetic diversity, driven by convergent evolution and mutation rates, leading to increased treatment resistance. Researchers are exploring a new paradigm that leverages cancer's evolveability to develop more effective treatments.
A new study found that cells within metastases from prostate tumors can migrate to other body parts and form new sites of spread on their own. This challenges the long-held belief that cells with metastatic potential originate solely from the original tumor site.
Researchers at UCI School of Medicine found a potential cause for cryptogenic strokes in 23% of patients with a left atrial septal pouch. The pouch's cul-de-sac nature may promote blood stagnation and clot formation, leading to stroke.
Researchers found that 17beta-trenbolone alters male reproductive behavior in guppy fish, influencing mating success and potentially devastating long-term impacts. The study demonstrates the capacity of agricultural contaminants to disrupt mating systems in wild populations.
A Northwestern University study found that clinical trials for finasteride, a common hair loss treatment, inadequately reported sexual dysfunction, which may persist. The study analyzed 34 clinical trials and found no adequate information on the severity, frequency, or reversibility of sexual adverse effects.
A University of Missouri researcher found that behavioral interventions for patients are more effective than those targeting healthcare providers in improving medication adherence. The study analyzed 29 interventions and concluded that patient-centered approaches can help identify the root causes of non-adherence.
The study found that an estimated 388,501 childhood cancer survivors exist in the US, with 70% having a mild or moderate chronic condition and 32% having severe or disabling chronic conditions. Neurocognitive dysfunction affects about 35% of young adult survivors.
The Tibetan Plateau is warming at a faster rate than the rest of the globe, with a 30-year decline in thermal forcing attributed to enhanced top-of-atmosphere outgoing radiation. This phenomenon enhances shortwave and longwave radiation, leading to increased cloud cover and radiative cooling.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a smartphone-based device that uses hyperspectral imaging to identify the chemical composition of objects. The technology has potential applications in fields such as agriculture, biotechnology, and homeland security.
Exposure to BPA during pregnancy may raise a mother's susceptibility to weight gain and diabetes later in life. The study found that BPA can harm glucose metabolism in offspring exposed in utero, leading to an increased predisposition to developing metabolic syndrome or diabetes.
Researchers at Princeton University found that the common battery bounce test is not an effective way to check a battery's charge. Instead, they discovered that the bouncing increases due to the formation of tiny bridges within the zinc material, decreasing mechanical damping and causing the battery to bounce more.
Researchers found that financial constraints, transportation problems, and stigma associated with the disease were major barriers to accessing penicillin injections. Despite these obstacles, patients reported personal motivation and injection reminders helped them stay on schedule and manage their symptoms.
Two studies published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology detail the challenges of caring for patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in hospitals. Key findings include staffing shortages, delays in patient care, and anxiety among staff and patients due to high-profile cases.
Researchers developed a nanoscale speed bump called a plasmonic phase modulator to regulate plasmon waves, enabling faster data processing. The device uses a tiny gap in metal wires to slow down plasmons, allowing for selective cancellation and optical switching.
A recent study by Leuphana University and Saarland University found that using wording that emphasizes the benefits of a proposal can lead to better outcomes. Researchers investigated this effect in eight studies involving over 650 subjects and discovered that parties who focus on their own gains are less willing to make concessions. B...