The article features five physics demonstrations that showcase the importance of experimentation in the science classroom. The experiments, described by Neil Downie, a Royal Academy of Engineering visiting professor, allow students to get creative while learning fundamental physics principles.
An isotope study by North Carolina State University has found that some urban ant species have a taste for human food. The research analyzed over 100 ant samples to determine their diet composition, revealing that pavement ants on sidewalks and medians have high levels of carbon-13, indicating a diet rich in human food.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source observed the micro-scale mechanisms behind skin's remarkable tear resistance. The study identified four synergistic mechanisms in collagen that act to diminish stress concentrations associated with tears.
A new study reveals that women are more open to trying new products and services when they are ovulating. This increased desire for variety is not due to conscious decision-making but rather a natural response driven by their reproductive cycle.
Two new species of Saurichthys, a predatory ray-finned fish, have been discovered in Monte San Giorgio, Switzerland. These ancient fishes exhibit distinct skull and body shapes, suggesting different hunting styles and habitats, contributing to their evolutionary success.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that chronically lonely older adults are more likely to visit their doctors for social contact. The research suggests that identifying and targeting interventions for lonely elders could significantly decrease physician visits and healthcare costs.
A new mass spectrometry method developed by IUPUI chemist Nicholas Manicke can rapidly detect drugs and poisons in blood samples. The method, known as paper spray mass spectrometry, has potential use in various fields such as biomedical research, clinical testing, and forensic science.
A systematic review found that postnatal care services are under-utilized in low- and middle-income countries due to lack of accessibility, affordability, and education. Governments can prevent 289,000 maternal deaths and 2.9 million newborn deaths by increasing access to postnatal care services.
Researchers developed a strategy to identify and genotype SNPs in complex cotton genomes using genotyping-by-sequencing. The approach employs Stacks software to enrich for orthologous DNA fragments, allowing for detection of polymorphisms between individuals.
Researchers successfully created and controlled defect pairs in liquid crystals using optical tweezers. This achievement opens the door to controlling light flow using specific frequencies in liquid crystal photonic microdevices, with potential applications in photonics.
A team of scientists found that cheater amoebae produce fewer high-quality spores, which survive better, suggesting a more balanced system than previously thought. This discovery has implications for developing therapies using socially successful bacteria to fight diseases.
Researchers found that plants aim to flower when the optimal temperature for seed set is approaching, allowing them to adapt to changing climates. This discovery suggests that many flowering plants have different flowering times due to narrow temperature sensitivity windows.
Researchers at Yale University have successfully restored memory and synaptic connections in Alzheimer's mice using the experimental cancer drug AZD05030. The treatment blocks damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, and has led to the launch of human trials.
Researchers at IRCM have uncovered a new synergy mechanism required for neural circuits to form properly. This breakthrough may lead to the development of tools to repair nerve cells following injuries to the nervous system.
Scientists have discovered a new virus infecting archaea beneath the ocean floor, which selectively targets one of its genes for mutation. The study also reveals that these microorganisms use a novel mechanism to accelerate genetic adaptation, targeting at least four distinct genes, and this process may be key to their survival.
Super Typhoon Maysak has reached Category 5 hurricane status with maximum sustained winds of near 140 knots (161.1 mph). The storm is generating heavy rainfall and high thunderstorms in the Pacific Ocean.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found paracetamol to be ineffective in reducing pain intensity and improving disability or quality of life for patients with lower back pain. However, it provided small benefits in reducing pain and disability for osteoarthritis, while increasing the risk of liver function test abnormalities.
Researchers tracked tiny geolocators on blackpoll warbler birds to confirm their non-stop migration over the Atlantic Ocean. The journey, spanning up to 2,770 kilometers, is one of the longest recorded for a songbird.
Researchers have developed a method to embed patterned nanofibers in 3D hydrogel structures, guiding neurite outgrowth along the nanofibers. This technique enhances neurite length and can be used to replicate complex neural structures, offering potential for restoring damaged cells in the nervous system.
A recent study from Oregon State University found that fewer than half of US physicians received formal training on exercise, with many medical schools not offering any courses on the subject. This lack of education could leave doctors unprepared to assist patients who benefit from regular physical activity.
Researchers found that combining different photos of a user leads to better recognition on Samsung Galaxy phones, often to perfect levels. Storing an 'average' image formed by morphing together several photos can greatly improve performance.
The SAGE-sponsored travel grants enable 12 students and early career professionals to attend the 2015 UKSG Annual Conference, facilitating debates on scholarly communication. The grant is a key commitment of SAGE's, aiming to support innovation in academic publishing.
Researchers found that transplant outcomes using kidneys from deceased donors with AKI were no different between the AKI and non-AKI groups at both 1 and 3 years post-transplant. The study results suggest that acutely injured kidneys can be considered for transplantation, potentially alleviating the US kidney shortage.
Researchers at Penn State and USGS use a new stream-based monitoring system to detect high levels of methane in Sugar Run stream, consistent with what would be found in shale gas. The findings show that stream monitoring is an effective method for assessing the environmental impact of extracting natural gas using fracking.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has found that a little bit of sugar on the surface of fungal cells triggers the death of immune cells that would otherwise kill the fungus. This discovery could lead to a new therapeutic strategy for treating Candida albicans, one of the most common causes of bloodstream infections.
A new study found that children who get a taste of their parents' wine are more likely to start drinking by high school. Of the 561 students surveyed, those who'd 'sipped' alcohol by sixth grade were five times more likely to down a full drink and four times more likely to binge or get drunk.
Research found that a more virulent group of S. suis strains causing disease in pigs worldwide are also implicated in human diseases like meningitis and septicaemia. The study suggests that changes in pig rearing practices may have led to the emergence of these strains.
A University of Arizona team developed a new model that improves seasonal hurricane forecast accuracy for the North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico by 23 percent. The model incorporates wind force on the ocean and sea surface temperature over the Atlantic, reducing El Niño's impact during warm AMO phases.
A new study identifies five essential elements that determine how consumers experience time: technology, skill, plans and moods, rules and regulations, and cultural understanding. When these elements are out of alignment, time seems to rush or drag, affecting consumer experiences in various activities.
Human language likely developed quickly into a sophisticated system, featuring syntax and structures, according to MIT linguist Shigeru Miyagawa. Words bear traces of syntax, challenging the idea that they originated from simple primal utterances.
The US transplant organ shortage continues to grow, with thousands on waiting lists for 5 years or more. Medical leaders propose removing financial disincentives and exploring incentives like health insurance post-donation to ensure donor safety. However, there is ongoing debate about the ethics of introducing financial payments.
Scientists have discovered a 100-million-year-old insect fossil that shows an adult female insect caring for its young, a behavior previously unknown to exist during the Mesozoic era. This discovery pushes back the earliest direct evidence of insect brood care by more than 50 million years.
A review article published in Journal of Caffeine Research suggests that caffeine may be used to treat or prevent Alzheimer's disease by reducing beta amyloid plaque accumulation. The study identifies potential opportunities for using caffeine to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Consumers are curating looks and creating images on outfit sharing websites, fueling popular fashion bloggers and a new logic of accessibility. This shift has changed market-level changes in institutional work, categories of actors, and underlying logics.
Recreational anglers' understanding of rockfish biology and fishing practices influences their views on conservation. Education plays a crucial role in garnering long-term support for rockfish recovery.
A special focus issue in Nanomedicine examines the intersection of nanomedicine and regenerative medicine, showcasing advancements in nanotopography, nanofunctionalization, and stem cell research. The field of nanoregeneration has grown exponentially over the last 15 years, with potential applications in drug discovery and cell targeting.
A three-year study found that students with disabilities who participated in a social-emotional learning program experienced a 20% decrease in bullying perpetration. The researchers suggest that the program helped these students better manage their impulses, reducing reactive aggression and improving overall behavior.
Consumers who consider themselves more independent are more likely to rely on their feelings when making decisions. In one study, consumers chose smaller, prettier apartments over larger, more conveniently located ones when they felt independent.
Researchers found depressed levels of cytokines, including interleukin 1, in individuals with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls, while an inflammatory molecule called eotaxin was elevated in the group. These findings may contribute to symptoms such as brain fog and offer hope for objective diagnostic tests and therapies that correct ...
A newly developed drug may also be effective in treating brittle bone disease, a rare genetic disorder that affects bone formation. The therapy has shown promising results in young mice with the condition, with no reduction in midshaft bone strength after treatment stopped.
A recent study published in Kidney International found that HIV-positive kidney transplant patients have superior outcomes compared to those with Hepatitis C. The three-year survival rates for HIV patients were similar to those of uninfected patients (90%), while Hepatitis C patients had a lower rate (84%).
Researchers used ESA's Herschel and Planck space observatories to identify objects in the distant Universe that could be precursors of today's galaxy clusters. These early galaxies were found to be forming stars at an extremely high rate, with some converting gas and dust into stars at a rate 1,500 times faster than our own Milky Way.
The ACMG Foundation presents the first recipient of the David L. Rimoin Inspiring Excellence Award to Dr. Marcus Miller for his platform presentation on Metabolomic Analysis Uncovers Significant Trimethylamine N-oxide Production. The award supports research in metabolomics and human genetic disorders.
Researchers found a 36-70% reduction in methane emissions from local natural gas distribution systems, largely due to upgrades and regulatory changes. The study, led by Washington State University, suggests that the industry's contribution to US greenhouse gas emissions is lower than previously estimated.
A mix of positive and negative reviews can be beneficial for products judged on personal taste, but detrimental when quality is the primary consideration. The authors investigated how consumers respond to diverse online reviews and found that varied ratings due to individual tastes are more acceptable in some cases.
Geographic tongue (GT) is characterized by evolving red patches on the tongue surface due to loss of papillae. New research reveals GT can spread in circular or spiral patterns, with spiral patterns indicating a more acute condition that lingers for a long time.
Paracetamol is ineffective in reducing pain, disability, or improving quality of life for patients with low back pain or osteoarthritis. Its use may also affect the liver, increasing the risk of liver toxicity in patients. The study calls for an urgent review of guidelines that endorse paracetamol for these conditions.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found a substantial increase in takeaway food outlets in Norfolk over two decades, particularly in deprived areas. The density of these outlets rose significantly, contributing to higher obesity rates and unhealthy diets among local residents.
Researchers found that root secretions can promote soil carbon loss by freeing organic compounds from protective associations with minerals. This mechanism is known as 'priming' and challenges the assumption that mineral-associated carbon is protected from microbial cycling over millennial timescales.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that premature aging of stem cell telomeres drives emphysema, not inflammation. This finding redirects research efforts to fix the underlying problem rather than treating symptoms.
A new study found that drivers react more quickly to road signs with motion, leading to quicker stops and changes in behavior. The findings suggest that redesigning signs for highways, crosswalks, schools, and construction zones could reduce accident-related injuries and mortality rates.
A recent Loyola University Health System study found that breast ultrasound examinations can eliminate the need for biopsy in many cases. The study concluded that if breast masses meet certain criteria, biopsies may be unnecessary.
Breast tumors trick immune cells to produce neutrophils that block T-cell action, allowing cancer to spread. Anti-IL17 drugs already exist for inflammatory diseases, offering potential treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Researchers found that nearly one in five college students experience 'exploding head syndrome,' a condition characterized by loud, non-existent noises. The study also discovered a link between exploding head syndrome and isolated sleep paralysis, affecting over one-third of those affected.
A Dartmouth College and US Forest Service study reveals that mild winters are not fuelling mountain pine beetle outbreaks in the coldest areas of the western United States. Instead, warming winters have allowed beetles to survive in historically unfavorable regions, leading to more severe outbreaks.
Researchers have identified blood-based biomarkers that accurately diagnose active tuberculosis (TB) disease, monitor treatment response, and predict cure. These markers differentiate between latent TB infection and active TB with high specificity and sensitivity.
A Berkeley Lab study finds that electric vehicle batteries can meet daily travel needs beyond 20% capacity loss. Most drivers will still have their needs met even after substantial degradation.
A nationwide study found glyburide associated with increased risk of hospitalization, respiratory distress and hypoglycemia in newborns. In contrast, insulin showed lower risk for these outcomes.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that the percentage of children eating fast food on a given day dropped from 38.8% to 32.6% between 2003-2004 and 2009-2010, respectively. Calorie intake from burger and chicken restaurants also decreased, while Mexican and sandwich restaurants remained constant.
The US Preventive Services Task Force has updated its recommendations on iron supplementation and screening in pregnant women, finding that routine iron supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the incidence of iron deficiency and anemia. In contrast, new hepatitis C treatments show promise but may exceed insurers' willingness to pa...