A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that 22 out of 25 physicians reported having favorite patients, often due to long-standing relationships and personal connections. Despite concerns about playing favorites, physicians strive to provide the best care for all their patients.
A single camera can capture high-quality facial performance using a new method developed by Disney Research, which takes into account the underlying facial anatomy and skin thickness. This approach allows for robust and accurate tracking of facial expressions without requiring multiple cameras or extensive pre-computed facial motions.
A recent review paper highlights the importance of choosing nutrient-dense, soft, and neutral-tasting foods for infants, with avocados emerging as a suitable first food solution. The study suggests that caregivers often opt for sweet foods, which can lead to early preferences and nutritional deficiencies.
A new study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that patients who fell indoors had more chronic health conditions and were less likely to recover at home, whereas outdoor fallers were younger and healthier. The findings can inform targeted initiatives to lower the risk of falls in older adults.
Researchers discovered that lower-income children have less working memory capacity than their higher-income peers, affecting academic test scores. The study suggests a difference in how lower-income children tap into their working memory, which can be changed with training and better opportunities.
The US Energy Department has granted $2.5 million to Texas A&M AgriLife Research to explore ways to use biorefinery waste to produce marketable products, including bioplastics. The study aims to make biorefineries economically viable and sustainable.
Researchers propose using nudges to influence patients' decisions to enroll in trials, leveraging psychology and economics. Strategies include conveying participant numbers, default enrollment in low-risk trials, and financial incentives.
Researchers at UTHealth are using geographic information system technology and statistical software to analyze demographic and disease pattern data across Houston. This will help identify areas where mobile clinics could have the highest impact in target communities at the lowest cost.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic developed a new method to detect ovarian cancer recurrence using liquid biopsies from blood tests and DNA sequencing. This approach allows for earlier intervention and more effective individualized treatment by monitoring genetic changes in circulating cell-free DNA.
The University of Houston will launch a new effort to educate and support Latina mothers and families on postpartum depression, thanks to a $500,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The two-year project aims to develop culturally responsive interventions to address the high risk of postpartum depression among Latina new moms.
Researchers investigated the effectiveness of neurorehabilitation treatments for individuals with brain injury or stroke, highlighting adaptable, measurable, and evidence-based therapies. Studies found that holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation can reduce reported symptoms and carer strain.
A recent study published in Neurology found that hormone therapy has a negligible impact on verbal memory and mental skills in postmenopausal women, with or without early treatment. The research suggests that healthy women at any stage after menopause should not take estrogen to improve their cognitive abilities.
A study published in The BMJ found that supervised exercise therapy is as effective as arthroscopic surgery in improving thigh muscle strength and knee function in middle-aged patients with degenerative meniscal tears. Researchers recommend considering structured exercise therapy as a treatment option for this type of knee damage.
Researchers at Yale University have created a novel system to encode, spot errors, decode and correct errors in a quantum bit, extending its lifetime more than three times longer than typical superconducting qubits. This breakthrough enables the use of Quantum Error Correction (QEC) for real computing.
Researchers at Bielefeld University developed an active chair as part of the KogniHome project, which uses a virtual avatar to lead family members in fitness exercises. The chair measures physical parameters like respiration and heart rate while monitoring healthy posture.
A new detailed map of the brain's cerebral cortex will aid researchers studying brain disorders and elucidate human uniqueness. The map divides both hemispheres into 180 areas based on physical and functional differences.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have developed a new garnet-type fast ionic conductor that can be used in all-solid-state lithium batteries. The material exhibits high lithium-ion conductivity and chemical stability, making it suitable for large-scale power sources.
A team of researchers and students at UCR developed a modular system of 3D-printed blocks to enable quick and easy creation of chemical and biological research instruments. The Multifluidic Evolutionary Components (MECs) can be used in various settings, including university labs, schools, and hospitals.
A new study has developed a methodology to analyze bacterial virulence factors and identify therapeutic targets for developing effective antimicrobial agents. The TREP approach was applied to Haemophilus influenzae, a respiratory pathogen that causes COPD symptoms, revealing potential blocking elements for invasion.
A meta-analysis of clinical trials found that aripiprazole significantly reduced total tics and tic severity in children with Tourette's disorder. The medication was safe, with common side effects including drowsiness and nausea.
A recent study has mapped 180 distinct areas in the human brain's outer mantle, or cortex, more than twice the number previously known. The researchers developed software that automatically detects the unique 'fingerprint' of each area in individual brain scans, with a nearly 97% detection rate.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has approved a $2.8 million research funding award to compare three methods for measuring blood pressure in confirming new hypertension cases. The study, led by Dr. Beverly Green, will evaluate the accuracy and acceptability of clinic BP, home BP, and kiosk BP measurements.
Researchers found that people's expected performance ratings were influenced by the performance of others, particularly in cooperative situations. The brain imaging data revealed two distinct regions involved in estimating one's own abilities and those of others.
A new analysis of over a century of literature reveals the life and journey of the word however, with common misuse as a synonym for but. Dr Andrew Hamilton's study shows that using however incorrectly has risen since World War II, often misusing it as a conjunction.
A new National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report calls for a national framework to uniformly expand access to best-in-class support programs for struggling parents. The report, co-authored by Eric Dearing, aims to provide a comprehensive approach to supporting parents of young children.
Scientists studied Tropical Cyclone Abela using satellite data, which provided insights into its rainfall rates and cloud heights. The cyclone's low-level center was exposed due to wind shear, causing convective storms to form southeast of the center.
Researchers at TSRI have identified 79 potential molecules that activate the ATF6 arm of the UPR, a signaling network that enhances editing or protein quality control. The compounds mimic the normal activation of ATF6, leading to the generation of chaperone proteins that can help prevent misfolding events associated with disease.
USF researchers found vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) bacteria in untreated wastewater after a 2014 sewer line break, posing a public health threat. The bacteria can transfer resistance to other strains, fueling the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
A study of 28,000 patients found that increased imaging after initial treatment for thyroid cancer did not lead to better survival rates, but rather more aggressive treatment for recurrence. The researchers emphasize the importance of curbing unnecessary imaging and tailoring care to individual patient risk.
A University of Toronto study found that high ocean temperatures and uncoordinated treatment likely led to an outbreak of sea lice in BC salmon farms. The study revealed that the spread of sea lice to migrating juvenile wild salmon resulted in the highest numbers of sea lice observed on wild salmon in a decade.
A new study suggests that super-eruptions can be predicted with a year's warning due to the growth of quartz crystals on their surface. The research found that most rim growth times are less than one year, indicating a one-year warning period before an eruption occurs.
INRS researchers have received over $3.8 million in NSERC grants to advance wireless communication technology. Their research programs aim to revolutionize key sectors of the Canadian economy, including machine intelligence and high-speed mobile ecosystems.
A USGS study finds that groundwater discharge in the Upper Colorado River Basin varies significantly with drought, particularly in shallow aquifers containing relatively young water. This variability is due to climate stresses and increased water demand, which can impact streamflow and resource availability.
Surgeons who avoid discussing preventability of adverse events or have difficult communication experiences are more negatively affected by disclosure. Surgeons with more negative attitudes about disclosure at baseline reported more anxiety about patients' surgical outcomes after disclosure.
A high-temperature superconducting coil developed by UH scientists boosts signal-to-noise ratio, revealing brain structures not easily visualized with conventional coils. The new technology can also acquire images in a shorter time than conventional coils.
Researchers are testing a new treatment using cells derived from umbilical cord tissue to target age-related macular degeneration. The therapy aims to prevent further loss of rod and cone cells and potentially restore vision in patients with advanced dry macular degeneration.
Researchers have discovered a link between cellular stress and multiple types of birth defects, including heart defects. A study led by Professor Sally Dunwoodie found that reduced oxygen levels triggered a stress response in embryonic cells, leading to heart development problems.
A new study found that while more imaging after thyroid cancer treatment identifies recurrence, it does not always lead to improved survival. Radioiodine scans, however, were associated with better outcomes.
In a study of Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens, researchers found that females are more likely to initiate divorce due to dissatisfaction with their territory. Divorce allows females to gain better territories, which are crucial for reproductive success in this species.
Scientists have developed a new system design that collects water from air with significantly less energy, producing high-quality water. This approach uses a liquid desiccant to separate vapor from air and cool only the vapor, resulting in substantial energy savings.
Researchers found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy increases activity in brain regions controlling emotional processing, leading to reduced anxiety in youth at risk of bipolar disorder. The study's pilot trial showed significant improvements in clinician-rated and youth-rated anxiety following 12 weeks of treatment.
A rapid heating and cooling process significantly reduces harmful bacteria in milk, extending its shelf life to up to 63 days. The low-temperature treatment uses heat already necessary for pasteurization to rapidly heat milk droplets, eliminating over 99% of bacteria.
A national survey found that over half of US physicians have withheld medical interventions due to cost concerns. Solo practitioners and those with conservative leanings were less likely to ration treatment options. The study highlights the complexities of resource utilization for healthcare providers in the US.
The University of Würzburg has launched three new projects in India, aiming to analyze European and Indian political thinking and develop literature in a globalized world. The projects also focus on adult education and lifelong learning, providing opportunities for students to study abroad and write their master theses.
Researchers found that couples who perceive their partner as responsive experience higher levels of desire, feeling special, and valuing their partner. Responsive partners convey the impression that they are worth pursuing, promoting an already valuable relationship.
Women engage in cosmetic therapy to improve their professional image and achieve financial stability during economic difficulties. According to a study published in Psychological Science, women's motivations for using makeup have shifted from solely attracting a male partner to also boosting their professional ambitions.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that adding olaratumab to doxorubicin increased median overall survival by nearly a year in patients with advanced sarcoma. The combination therapy showed no significant increase in treatment side effects.
Researchers reviewed various methods for preventing bites from blacklegged ticks, which transmit Lyme disease. Effective measures include wearing protective clothing, using insect repellent, and controlling tick hosts such as deer and small mammals.
LuxAI creates social robots for educational and healthcare systems, with users able to program them in 20 minutes. The company uses a Robot Agent Programming Language, designed by CEO Dr. Pouyan Ziafati, to make programming accessible to non-IT experts.
Researchers found that despite a ban on menthol cigarettes, similar products with green coloring and 'smooth taste redesigned without menthol' are being marketed to undermine the effectiveness of the ban. The study suggests that these tactics could have an adverse impact on public health.
Researchers identify CD47 protein in atherosclerotic plaques, which enables immune system to evade clearing dead cells, leading to plaque buildup and cardiovascular disease. Anti-CD47 antibodies show promise in preventing plaque formation and regression in mouse models.
A new probe allows for pinpoint brain temperature measurements in moving lab animals, precision measured to a fraction of a degree. The probe's small size enables spatially precise temperature readings from small brain areas, paving the way for real-time monitoring of brain temperature after traumatic brain injury or stroke.
A team of scientists discovered that ants first switched to farming fungi 55-60 million years ago, marking the beginning of a mutual adaptation. Leafcutter ants have since developed industrial-scale farming, producing protein-rich bulbs and thriving on an enormous scale.
A new understanding of protein creation based on RNA recipes reveals great precision in cell diversity and efficiency in ribosome reading. The research also sheds light on the interaction between ribosomes and RNA during tumor formation, potentially leading to better treatments.
A new study estimates that the asteroid that formed the Moon's Imbrium Basin was likely a protoplanet-sized object, two times larger in diameter and 10 times more massive than previous estimates. The research also sheds light on the geological features surrounding the basin, which help explain some of its puzzling characteristics.
Research reveals that Urocortin-3 influences how mice interact with familiar and stranger mice, potentially shedding light on human social anxiety disorders. The study suggests a molecular mechanism regulating social behavior may be involved in coping with social challenges.
A research team found that a fungus, Pneumocystis carinii, plays a more important role in pneumonia than previously thought. The fungus was detected in piglets of all ages and appeared to proliferate before bacterial pathogens, suggesting it may be a 'door opener' for secondary infections.
Researchers developed functionalized surfaces with tailored wetting characteristics that reduce or eliminate Influenza A virus infectivity. The study provides insights into the role of surface wettability on viral transmission.
A new study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimates that modern off-grid lighting could create 2 million potential new jobs globally. The transition to solar-LED systems would replace fuel-based lighting, providing better job quality and stability.
Global Burden of Disease 2015 analysis shows slow decline in new HIV infections between 2005-2015, with stagnation in recent years. Treatment coverage varies globally, with massive scale-up needed in regions like Middle East and Eastern Europe.