Researchers summarize the recent progress on theoretical studies of various 2D Dirac materials, including graphene, silicene, and graphynes. They predict these systems will exhibit half-integer quantum Hall effects and ultrahigh carrier mobility, with potential applications in physics and technology.
A UT Dallas study found that solitary confinement does not deter inmates from committing further violent acts, and its use may even exacerbate mental health problems. The research suggests reducing solitary confinement could save taxpayer funds and improve prisoner outcomes upon release.
A new study out of Wellesley College finds that people who value diversity are more likely to have friends from different racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The research suggests that positive beliefs about diversity can increase the likelihood of seeking out diverse friends.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that phone counseling can significantly boost recovery and reduce pain in patients after spinal surgery. The intervention involved short series of phone conversations with trained counselors, leading to higher physical therapy attendance rates and improved functional outcomes.
Researchers at OIST found that the energy lost to friction between falling rain and whipping winds in a typhoon can lessen its destructive force by as much as 30 percent. This discovery significantly reduces the margins of error in predicting typhoon intensity, which is crucial for anticipating damages and minimizing loss of lives.
The 14th St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Consensus Conference highlighted the need to refine breast cancer classification and predict treatment responses. The conference recommendations will set the standard for breast cancer care for two years, taking into account variable resource limitations worldwide.
Researchers at UC Davis found that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) can boost the regenerative effects of human PPARα, allowing it to regenerate damaged livers in mice. The protein could offer significant therapeutic benefits for patients with liver disease or those who have had a liver transplant.
A novel form of near infrared spectroscopy, known as NIR hyperspectral imaging (HSI), has been developed to detect peanut contamination in powdered foodstuffs. The technique produces images with spectral data at each pixel, allowing it to detect trace levels of peanut over a large area.
Researchers at UC Riverside found that certain Dickinsonia fossils are incomplete due to ancient currents lifting them from the sea floor. The team measured the direction of missing parts and showed they aligned with features formed under wave action, indicating the fossils were not 'missing' but rather not preserved.
Experts analyze data from a national survey to question the feasibility of party promises on accessing general practice. The analysis highlights that guarantees of appointments within 48 hours may be unrealistic, and recruiting 5,000 more GPs could prove challenging.
Researchers tracked tiny birds with tracking backpacks and found they flew directly over the Atlantic Ocean to reach their wintering grounds in South America. The birds took 2-3 days to complete the journey, storing up fat reserves to fuel their flight.
A research team has isolated energy-burning beige fat from adult humans, which can convert unhealthy white fat into healthy brown fat. This discovery holds promise for developing new medications to fight obesity by recruiting and activating human brown fat.
A new study from UC Berkeley suggests that despite egalitarian efforts, many people still believe their destiny is tied to their station in life. Children and adults who were more influenced by caste were also more likely to believe that their own natural aptitude, academic success, and personality traits were fixed or set in stone.
The US National Science Foundation and Japan Science and Technology Agency announce joint support for six projects to improve future disaster management. Researchers will leverage Big Data and data analytics to capture and process disaster data, enhance resilient networks, and develop novel approaches to analyze large, noisy data.
A new study by MIT researchers finds that smarter programming of stoplights can reduce delays, improve efficiency, and lower emissions in urban areas. By combining vehicle-level data with city-level traffic patterns, the algorithm produces more accurate predictions and recommendations for optimizing traffic flow.
A new study by University of Maryland researchers reveals that the brain's 'gender' may be more flexible than previously thought. The study found that a specific enzyme plays a key role in masculinization, allowing certain genes to be 'unsilenced'. This process can even occur after the window for brain sexual differentiation has closed.
Energy balance experts from six continents collaborate to develop innovative approaches to prevent and reduce obesity. The Global Energy Balance Network will convene a 'think, do tank' in 2016 to explore new solutions.
Chronic alcohol consumption compromises the skin's protective immune response, leading to increased illness and bacterial burden. Restoring IL-17 levels improves skin injury and bacterial clearance defects in mice with Staphylococcus aureus skin infections.
Illinois' 2009 increase in alcohol tax led to a 26% decline in fatal alcohol-related car crashes, with similar reductions for young people and extremely drunken drivers. The study suggests that similar tax hikes across the US could prevent thousands of deaths annually.
Researchers at the University of Florida found that an increase in alcohol taxes led to a significant reduction in fatal car crashes. After Illinois raised its excise tax on beer, wine, and spirits by 2009, fatal alcohol-related car crashes decreased by 26%. The decrease was even more marked for young people, with a 37% reduction in fa...
Elephant soundscapes tested for effectiveness in deterring night-time raids on farmland in southern India, with results showing 90% success rate using tiger sounds and 73% using leopard sounds. The study's findings suggest a potential solution to the growing problem of human-elephant conflict in agriculture.
Research found that 14 out of 17 popular pet food brands contained unspecified animal species, including cow, pig, and chicken DNA. The study highlights weaknesses in product labeling that could affect pets and their owners.
A team of researchers from the University of Houston has developed a non-invasive brain-machine interface that allows an amputee to control a prosthetic hand with high accuracy. The technology, which uses electroencephalogram (EEG) signals to capture brain activity, enables individuals to grasp objects with ease and precision.
A new study by Northwestern University researchers found that corporate social responsibility can improve consumers' opinions of products. Consumers tend to believe that companies engaged in socially responsible activities produce higher-quality products.
A study developed a risk score model to predict the likelihood of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with HIV. The model uses nine clinical and demographic factors to assess CKD risk, with participants having low, medium, or high risk scores experiencing respective probabilities of CKD development over five years.
A global study published in PLOS One found that women who experience domestic violence are less likely to use contraception, exposing them to sexually transmitted diseases. The research suggests that partner violence has a causal effect on women's use of contraception.
A new study by University of Oxford researchers found that excessive video game time is associated with problem behavior in children, while the type of games played has no significant impact. The study suggests that parents should monitor their child's gaming time to minimize potential risks.
Researchers detect human fingerprint of industrial pollutants in Borneo rainforest, revealing impact on ozone layer and forest health. Air pollution from East Asia affects air quality in equatorial Southeast Asia, introducing chemicals to the stratosphere.
The study found that reality TV shows like Jersey Shore and The Real World feature idealized bodies, with two-thirds of women and three-quarters of men having little body fat. In contrast, only one in every three Americans is at a healthy weight.
The US National Science Foundation has awarded 10 Physics Frontiers Centers, focusing on basic research in quantum computing and fundamental physics. These collaborative environments support multidisciplinary projects and education initiatives.
Research from the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute shows that high-quality early education significantly boosts language skills in children from low-income families. Children who start earlier and stay longer in these programs also demonstrate strong English language skills, even those whose first language is not English.
Scientists have developed a mouse model that lacks the nSR100 gene, which regulates microexon splicing. This process is essential for protein production and brain function. The study found defects in neuron formation and wiring, similar to those found in people with autism and schizophrenia.
A Dartmouth-led team is studying the environmental and financial benefits of converting methane gas from cow manure into electricity and heat on Vermont and New York dairy farms. The project aims to quantify how integrating food and energy production affects farm viability and environmental impacts.
A study by Helmholtz Munich researchers found that exposure to ultrafine particles can induce immediate changes in heart rate variability in individuals with impaired glucose metabolism or diabetes. The research suggests potential health risks and demands for threshold limit values for environmental standards.
A new study by Daniel M. Bartels and Oleg Urminsky found that consumers who consider the future consequences of spending money tend to spend less, but also make better financial decisions.
Experts recommend using ultrasound as the first line of imaging for patients with pelvic symptoms due to its cost-effectiveness and safety. Ultrasound has evolved to be an effective tool for evaluating gynecologic patients, providing accurate results without radiation exposure.
A study published in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease found that 'religiously integrated' cognitive-behavioral therapy is at least as effective as conventional CBT for treating major depression in chronically ill patients. Highly religious patients showed greater improvement with this approach.
The supplement explores innovative 'upstream' advances in social-ecological research to foster healthy communities, focusing on policy and environmental changes. Key findings include improved food environments and multi-level structural interventions that reduce health disparities.
A case study of New York City's successful public health reforms, led by Mayor Bloomberg's 'top-down' approach and strategic organizational changes, suggests that similar initiatives may work elsewhere. However, a commentary questions the applicability of this approach to other cities.
The 1815 Tambora eruption, one of the largest in the last 1,000 years, killed over 60,000 people in Indonesia and led to a 'year without a summer' globally. A systematic exploration of available eruption archives is needed to better understand potential future hazards.
The University of Texas at Austin researcher is working on developing small-molecule inhibitors that counter antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. The goal is to create a suite of drugs for treating bacterial infections resistant to most antibiotics.
Researchers identify 'Follicular Memory T cells' near lymph node entrances to screen for microbe re-entry. These cells help create potent antibodies in secondary antibody responses, outsmarting circulating memory cells. This discovery paves the way for more effective vaccines.
Researchers from UMass Amherst found that about 10% of released water may be permanently lost, reducing downstream river flows. This 'hydropeaking' practice allows hydropower dams to operate more efficiently, but comes with a tradeoff: permanent water loss affecting aquatic life and ecosystems.
A study by Northwestern University found that children who received analogical comparison training grasped the Brace principle, a key elementary engineering concept. Children showed significant improvement in building tasks after receiving comparison training, with those receiving high-similarity pairs performing over 80% correctly.
Researchers are developing technology to shore up user privacy on leading social media sites, addressing the growing concern of users' information being shared beyond their intended group. The project aims to design a formal model and mechanism to enforce privacy policies, protecting users from malicious access and 'leaky boundaries',
Dielectric elastomers have made significant breakthroughs in soft robotics applications, enabling the creation of flapping robotic wings with high-energy conversion efficiencies. The new resonance phenomenon discovered by researchers can make the artificial joint bend up and down, mimicking the motion of a bird's wing.
Researchers found that bacteria produce complex organic molecules similar to those found naturally in the ocean, suggesting they are a major driver of long-term carbon storage. The study suggests bacteria efficiently contribute to climate by storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in the ocean.
Fire management teams set fires to reduce hazardous fuels and protect human communities. Planned burns also help remove unwanted species, promote habitat for threatened species, and recycle nutrients back to the soil.
A Yale-led study found that people who search for information online overestimate their knowledge base compared to those who obtain information through other methods. The effect was strong enough that even without providing a full answer, internet searchers still felt smarter.
A new study by Aalto University found that 76% of young Finns use YouTube daily for music listening. The two services are preferred over CDs, digital files, and other platforms due to their vast music selection and ease of use. Researchers believe the shift towards streaming is a transition from file downloads to online audio streaming.
Researchers found that folic acid supplementation increased nitric oxide production in older blood vessels, improving skin blood flow and reducing cardiovascular risk. This inexpensive alternative to pharmaceutical treatments shows promise for helping older adults cope with environmental heat waves.
A new study from the University of Guelph found that maternal genetic effects play a significant role in determining the fitness of squirrel offspring. Genetically gifted mothers tend to give birth earlier, have more successful pups, and exhibit other traits that contribute to their offspring's success.
New research from the University of Georgia found that physician advice leads to a reported 10-pound loss for women and 12-pound loss for men over a one-year period. Tailored opinions from physicians can help identify obesity risks and promote long-term weight loss.
Researchers detected antibodies to dopamine D2 receptor and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor among children experiencing their first episode of psychosis. The finding suggests a distinct subgroup where autoimmunity plays a role in their illness, paving the way for more specific diagnosis and effective interventions.
A new study found that people who transitioned to same-sex attraction in early adulthood reported more depressive symptoms than those whose sexual orientations did not change or changed in the opposite direction. The study highlights the need for social support during periods of sexual identity transition.
A recent study from Brown University suggests that video gamers excel in visual tasks, not just due to prior practice, but also because of enhanced learning abilities. Gamers outperformed non-gamers on two consecutive visual task learning exercises by an average of 15% and 11%, respectively.
New research reveals stark variation in genetic testing services for inherited eye disease in England, with the South-east ahead of other regions. The study shows that genetic tests have been available on the NHS for over a decade and next-generation sequencing technology has made it possible to map many genes simultaneously.
A new study by Dr. Faraj Adballah found that single-shot nerve blocks provide limited pain relief after shoulder surgery, lasting only six to eight hours. After this initial period, patients who received the shot experienced a phenomenon known as rebound pain, which worsened their symptoms.
Researchers reveal 'juvenile' continental crust has been produced throughout Earth's history, contradicting the long-held theory that all continental crust was generated during the Archaean Eon. The study provides new understanding of the formation of the Earth's continental crust and its impact on the planet's life and climate.
Researchers from Scripps Research Institute have discovered a unique mechanism of borrelidin, a natural product with wide-ranging antifungal, antibacterial, anti-malaria and anti-cancer effects. The study sheds light on the compound's inhibition of protein synthesis by occupying four distinct subsites on tRNA synthetase.