Researchers used transitional probability to segment natural language and found it effective for 49-86% of word identification across languages. The method performed better on stress-timed languages, while mora-timed languages required relative thresholding.
The Cubimorph modular interactive device can change shape on-demand, featuring touchscreens on each of its six faces and a hinge-mounted turntable mechanism. Researchers from the University of Bristol presented their design rationale and prototypes demonstrating key aspects at ICRA 2016.
Researchers at the University of Iowa found that molecules in ionic liquids reassemble without being prodded, taking time to complete. The team discovered a much thicker interfacial layer than previously known, with some layers reaching 1 micron thick.
A survey of high-achieving physician-scientists found that nearly a third of women reported experiencing sexual harassment, with 30% reporting incidents in their professional careers. Women were more likely to perceive and experience gender bias than men.
A commentary published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics suggests that insulin pump therapy can lead to better blood glucose control and may be beneficial for all patients with type 1 diabetes. The author highlights the importance of pump technology, including sensor-controlled feedback and artificial pancreas systems.
Studies found that patients undergoing surgery at critical access hospitals had lower heart failure, diabetes, obesity, and co-existing disease rates. Adjusted Medicare expenditures were also lower at these hospitals, with no significant difference in 30-day mortality rates or complication risks compared to non-critical access hospitals.
Agricultural emissions must be reduced by 1 gigaton per year in 2030 to meet the Paris climate agreement's goal of limiting warming to 2°C in 2100. Current interventions will only deliver 21-40% of mitigation required, highlighting a major gap between existing options and needed reductions.
A study by Iowa State University professors recommends strategies for firms to minimize the risk of losing value in acquisitions. By recognizing the threat of competitive retaliation and tailoring their response, firms can make better choices and maintain market power.
Researchers discovered an alternative pathway emerges when ERK1/2 is blocked, allowing tumor cell proliferation to continue. Targeting both ERK pathways concurrently with drug inhibitors halted colorectal cancer growth more effectively in mouse models and human cell lines.
Researchers develop virtual partner that elicits emotional responses from humans, exceeding intellectual capacity test. The study reveals coordinated motion between brains and machines can make therapeutic contributions to rehabilitation of diseases such as schizophrenia and autism.
Parents of children with asthma who experienced a teachable moment and received motivational smoking cessation counseling were more than twice as likely to quit smoking. Long-term in-home and telephone counseling also improved quit rates and reduced hospitalizations and missed school days due to asthma.
A study presented at the 96th AATS Annual Meeting found that VA hospitals have increased their use of mitral valve repair over replacement, with significant advantages in terms of mortality rates and complications. The rate of valve repair varied widely among centers, presenting an opportunity for quality improvement.
A team of surgeons from the Bakoulev Center for Cardiovascular Surgery successfully implanted bioabsorbable vascular grafts into five children born with single-ventricle congenital malformations. The grafts are designed to biodegrade, allowing the patient's own cells and proteins to reconstitute natural functioning tissue.
A recent study found that 52% of U.S. academic medical faculty women reported harassment in their careers, compared to 5% of men. Women were more likely to report perceptions and experiences of gender bias and sexual harassment, highlighting the need for efforts to mitigate unconscious bias and eliminate inappropriate behaviors.
Scientists from KU Leuven discover a new way to treat HIV by blocking the virus's attachment to genetic material. Led by Professor Zeger Debyser and Doctoral student Lenard Vranckx, their research sheds light on eliminating the virus.
Researchers from Austria, Finland, and Hungary used laser scanners to measure the daily movement of fully grown trees. The results show that trees droop their branches at night, with changes not exceeding 10 cm, indicating they go to sleep.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) has received a three-year, $1.55 million grant from the New York Life Foundation to establish the GIFT (Grief-Informed Foundations of Treatment) network. The network will refine, evaluate and validate assessment tools for grieving children to identify appropriate suppo...
The OPINION study shows that OFDI-guided PCI achieves equivalent clinical and angiographic outcomes to IVUS-guided PCI at 12 months. The study results contribute to defining the clinical value of OCT guidance in PCI.
Research at the University of Illinois found that adding microbial xylanase to diets containing rice bran can increase its energy value for pigs. The study confirmed that xylanase increased the concentrations of digestible and metabolizable energy in full fat rice bran and defatted rice bran.
Researchers have identified an experimental antiviral drug that slows down Zika virus development in mice. The study suggests the drug may provide protection against Zika-induced symptoms and microcephaly in pregnant women.
A University of Iowa study found that only one third of students with learning disabilities receive accommodations, with wealthier students being more likely to access these resources. The disparity may be attributed to a desire for independence and financial constraints.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found a significant association between eating four or more servings of boiled, baked, mashed potatoes or French fries per week and an increased risk of high blood pressure. Replacing potato consumption with non-starchy vegetables was associated with a lower risk of hypertension.
New research from North Carolina State University finds cribra orbitalia, a condition with porous bone inside the eye sockets, is common in both North America and South Africa, affecting 12.35% of modern North Americans and 16.8% of modern South Africans. The high rates may be linked to iron-poor diet and intestinal parasites.
Researchers found that placing protein bars at the start of the dessert line increased selection by 46%, while keeping them in original packaging boosted selection by 59%. These simple changes made healthy foods more convenient and appealing to clients.
A team of scientists has identified a back-up mechanism for memory storage that takes over when the molecular mechanism of primary long-term memory storage fails. They found that mice engineered without an enzyme crucial to long-term memory storage still form memories because they deploy an alternative method, involving PKCλ/ι.
A novel therapeutic approach has been discovered using a breast cancer drug to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with FLT3 mutations. The compound blocks the production of the FLT3 gene and subsequently downregulates its activity, leading to the death of cancer cells.
Earthquakes triggered by human activity have been widespread throughout Texas since the 1920s, according to a new review of evidence. Oil and gas operations are the primary cause, but specific techniques have varied over time.
Researchers at UNSW have developed a new solar cell configuration that delivers a world-record 34.5% efficiency in sunlight-to-electricity conversion, nudging closer to the theoretical limits of such devices. The device uses a four-junction mini-module with a hybrid receiver to extract maximum energy from unfocussed sunlight.
Infants following baby-led weaning tend to be exclusively breastfed longer and eat meals with their families, which is great for long-term health. However, they have higher fat intakes and lower nutrient levels compared to spoon-fed babies.
The Unicorn platform aggregates open information from multiple databases to create tools for efficient policy studies, improving data collection, analysis, and modeling. It aims to support societal decision-making by providing quick, reliable, and efficient decision support.
A study by the University of Helsinki reveals three novel canine genes associated with human rare disorders, including Caffey disease and van den Ende-Gupta syndrome. The discovery highlights the potential of comparative research for developing diagnostics and treatments.
Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have identified a plausible reaction mechanism for the production of key components of RNA under conditions similar to those on the young Earth. The discovery validates a pathway that could explain how chemical evolution proceeded before the formation of the first cells.
A new study from Harvard Medical School reveals that pure green light significantly reduces photophobia and headache severity in patients with migraines. The narrow band of green light is least likely to exacerbate migraine, providing a potential therapeutic option for sufferers.
A new study by NOAA Fisheries finds that ocean acidification may slow development and reduce survival of Dungeness crab larvae, which are key to the Northwest marine ecosystem. The research suggests that lower pH levels could extend vulnerable larval periods or jeopardize timing in relation to food sources.
A new report highlights seven areas of focus within COPD care, including improving access to education, medications, and non-medication interventions. The report also emphasizes the need for more research funding and development of cost-effective treatments.
A new study reveals that food components can significantly influence the intestinal immune system by binding to an important controller, the Ah receptor. The researchers found that the interaction between the Ah receptor and its repressor is crucial for balancing the immune response.
A study of Coos Bay found it is currently free of hypoxic conditions, thanks to its narrow offshore shelf and dredged ship channel. However, as the climate warms, the bay's flushing action may be disrupted, leading to increased risk of oxygen depletion.
A new study finds that busier lifestyles are associated with better processing speed, working memory, and episodic memory in older adults. The research suggests that busyness may stimulate learning and improve cognition, but more experimental work is needed to confirm this association.
A study found that physician-surrogate discordance about prognosis occurs in 53% of cases, with misunderstandings and differences in belief being common causes. Clinicians should check in with surrogates before making decisions about patient care.
A novel technique called external stenting (ES) has been developed to relieve airway obstruction in children. The procedure involves suspending the airway wall to a rigid prosthesis, allowing for growth and stability. Long-term outcomes show high survival rates and successful weaning from ventilators.
A simple screening test can accurately predict the severity of heart disease in patients with heart failure. The test calculates a patient's sarcopenia score based on their age, grip strength, and calf circumference, making it a useful evaluation method for daily clinical practice.
Researchers analyze MMS data to understand magnetic reconnection, a process that produces powerful phenomena including solar flares and large releases of plasma from the sun's corona. The mission provides high-resolution measurements of particles and electric and magnetic fields at the electron scale.
A new study found that middle-school kids ages 11-14 see two to four alcohol ads per day, with outdoor billboards and signs being the most common source. The findings suggest that policymakers should pay attention to outdoor alcohol advertising, which is under local communities' control.
Cisplatin kills rapidly dividing cancer cells but also causes permanent hearing loss due to damage to sensory hair cells in the inner ear. Individuals with Cockayne syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting DNA repair, are more susceptible to this side effect.
A computer model simulates the formation of Io's mountains through the compression of rocks due to volcanic activity. The study suggests that this mechanism could have operated on early Earth, explaining why mountains like those on Io might have emerged first as land.
Researchers are exploring the use of scanning lasers to measure road aggregate microtexture, aiming to improve the accuracy and sustainability of road construction. The project has the potential to lead to the development of new adhesive systems that make binding asphalt and concrete better and longer lasting.
Researchers at George Mason University are working on a new method called 'shuffling' to quickly separate hackers from legitimate users and isolate bad actors. The approach aims to prevent denial-of-service attacks that can cripple online businesses with downed websites, financial losses, and damaged client relationships.
PrEP has been estimated to prevent up to 7400 new infections in the UK if made available. Despite strong evidence, those at high risk remain unable to access this important HIV prevention measure.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that chronic fatigue syndrome patients are more likely to suppress their emotions due to a heightened fight-or-flight response. This suppression is associated with increased anxiety and distress, which can worsen fatigue symptoms.
Plants utilize microfluidics and optics to control movement, photosynthesis, and water transport, highlighting the intersection of light and fluid in plant physiology. Researchers explore how plants optimize energy conversion, conserving water through stomata control.
A University of California, Riverside study explains how the balance of two transcription factor isoforms in the colon influences the risk of developing colon cancer and colitis. Maintaining a balance between these isoforms is crucial for reducing disease risk.
Scientists create synthetic polymers that decompose without harsh elements, opening doors for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and bioimaging. Preliminary testing shows growth and depolymerization of straight and branched polymers are possible in water and extracellular matrix.
Daily melatonin administration significantly reduced blood pressure in elderly subjects, with the most pronounced effect occurring between 3:00 and 8:00 am. Melatonin also synchronized disrupted circadian rhythms of blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature, providing a new approach to hypertension treatment.
A study at the University of Texas at Austin found that relationship satisfaction depends on how a partner compares with other potential mates. Participants reported being happier and devoted more effort to relationships when their partners fulfilled their ideal preferences.
Researchers warn of a looming crisis in cardiothoracic surgical services as the number of trained professionals dwindles and demand increases, particularly among an aging population. By 2030, there will be approximately 3,000 cardiothoracic surgeons needed to cover 854,000 cases, with each surgeon's workload projected to increase by 121%.
Researchers are breeding barley to make it more resistant to drought and heat, helping farmers avoid yield loss due to climate change. By identifying key molecular switches, they aim to create crops that can efficiently manage water under extreme weather conditions.
A recent study published in JAMA found that high-dose recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) did not improve cognitive development or reduce neurodevelopmental delay in very preterm infants at 2 years old. The study randomly assigned 448 preterm infants to receive rhEPO or placebo and followed their outcomes for over two years.
Researchers at Drexel University discover that motor proteins and sliding microtubules play a crucial role in guiding neurons to their correct destinations. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
Researchers have mapped boron compound distribution in a model control rod, helping determine re-criticality risk within the reactor. This finding could inform decommissioning efforts at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant.
Non-Hispanic blacks are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia as non-Hispanic whites, but they're significantly less likely to receive medication for treatment. The study found that racial-ethnic differences in diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric conditions were significant across 11 private healthcare delivery s...