A genetic mutation combined with an urban environment increases the risk of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in children. Children from urban middle-class families were eight times more likely to be hospitalized, a risk similar to extremely premature babies.
Physicist Ramon Lopez will use a combination of computer simulation models and real observations to understand the role of solar wind fluctuations in space weather. The research aims to enhance our understanding of the near-Earth space environment and provide critical information for managing satellite and communications technology.
Scientists report preliminary studies suggesting chlorine treatment in wastewater plants may create new, stronger antibiotics. This could contribute to growing antibiotic resistance problem and harm aquatic life.
Research reveals that changes to environment, such as building walking paths and playgrounds, improve nutritional quality of foods and increase physical activity levels. However, more research is needed to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of policy and built environment changes.
A recent spill of 3 million gallons of fracking wastewater in North Dakota has raised concerns about the potential harm it could cause to human health and the environment. Scientists are using advanced analytical techniques to study the composition of fracking fluids and wastewater, which may break down differently in the environment.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have discovered a key RNA mechanism that helps plants adapt to their environment, which could lead to improved crop yields and gene therapies for diseases like cancer. The findings also suggest similar mechanisms exist in humans, providing new avenues for medical research.
A McGill University team has identified a mechanism by which environmental factors influence the expression of genes controlling complex traits. By manipulating DNA methylation levels, researchers were able to create variation in worker ant sizes, shedding light on the interplay between genetics and environment in shaping these traits.
A study by North Carolina State University, Indiana University and Wellesley College found that the gut microbiome of honey bee queens remains consistent regardless of environment. The researchers characterized the microbiome throughout the queen's development, from larval stage to emergence as adults.
A study published in Springer's Environmental Management journal found that removing grazing cattle from a wildlife refuge in Oregon has led to significant rehabilitation of the natural environment. The removal of cattle has resulted in an increase in woody riparian vegetation, reduction in erosion, and improved water quality.
A study on the Thames river found that greater numbers of resistant bacteria exist close to waste water treatment works, which are likely responsible for increasing antibiotic resistance. The researchers suggest that improvements in treatment processes could hold the key to reducing the prevalence of resistant bacteria in the environment.
Research at University College London reveals that grid cells in the brain modify their patterns based on the environment's geometry. The study found that grid patterns align with the local environment and distort in trapezoid-shaped spaces, challenging previous theories about the brain's navigation system.
A new study by New York University and East China Normal University found that the design of the built environment significantly affects walking and bicycling in Chinese cities. The researchers discovered that neighborhoods with better urban design, such as wider sidewalks and bike lanes, had higher rates of physical activity.
A Dartmouth study reveals that grid cells in the entorhinal cortex play a crucial role in generating the signal for spatial navigation. The findings contribute to our understanding of how we update our spatial perception as we move through our environment, which is essential for navigating and survival.
Researchers discovered a type of sulfur bacteria preserved in rocks over 1.8 billion years old, which remain unchanged and indistinguishable from modern bacteria found in the same region. This finding supports Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by suggesting that evolution occurs only when environmental conditions change.
A new study found that teen girls who practiced saying 'no' to unwanted advances in a virtual environment reported less sexual victimization. The effects persisted over three months, with those who previously experienced dating violence showing lower levels of psychological aggression and distress.
Researchers developed a novel sensor that changes color depending on the confinement of space in cells, demonstrating the effects of lack of space on protein behavior. The study reveals attractive forces inside cells that override compression effects, leading to changes in protein functions under osmotic stress.
Researchers discovered that filopodia, finger-like structures on cell membranes, can extend, contract, and bend in dynamic movements. A twist-based mechanism involving the actin internal 'skeleton' enables these movements, allowing cells to interact with their environment.
Duke University scientists developed new forensic tracers to identify coal ash contamination in water and distinguish it from other sources. The tracers provide additional fingerprints that give regulators a more accurate tool to trace coal ash effluents to their source.
A recent study published in the Royal Society journal Interface suggests that humans have evolved to rely too heavily on social information, leading to a decrease in responsiveness to changes in their environment. This phenomenon, known as herd mentality, can result in groups becoming less effective at making decisions.
The inaugural survey of American attitudes about the environment reveals a complex picture of public opinion. While most Americans believe the US should take a leading role in combating global warming, they tend to prioritize other environmental concerns. The poll also found that Americans are adopting environmentally friendly lifestyl...
Researchers identify genes and networks that enable tiny Atlantic killifish to alter their body form in response to environmental changes, providing insight into phenotypic plasticity. The study's findings have substantial implications for understanding molecular evolution and its applications in climate change, medicine, and regenerat...
A new paper reveals that global dietary trends are diminishing human health and harming the environment. Alternative diets offer substantial health benefits and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land clearing, and species extinctions.
A new analysis reveals that the design and aesthetics of classrooms can significantly impact student learning and success. Researchers recommend structural improvements and cues signaling valued learners to facilitate student growth.
A new study by researchers at the University of Montreal found that school environment plays a determining role in teacher expectations of students. The study showed that school academic composition is the most influential factor, followed by socioeconomic and ethnic composition of students.
Scientists developed new geochemical tracers to detect hydraulic fracturing flowback fluids in the environment. The tracers can track the presence of frac fluids and distinguish them from wastewater coming from other sources.
Scientists have developed geochemical tracers that can identify hydraulic fracturing flowback fluids in the environment. The tracers were tested at a spill site in West Virginia and a brine wastewater treatment plant in Pennsylvania, allowing for the detection of frac fluid contamination and potential risks to water supplies.
Research led by King's College London finds that the high heritability of exam grades reflects many genetically influenced traits such as personality and self-efficacy. The study, which analyzed 13,306 twins, found that individual traits were between 35% and 58% heritable, with intelligence being the most highly heritable.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that ibuprofen can reduce lung inflammation in elderly mice, improving their immune response to tuberculosis. By lowering inflammation, ibuprofen made the lungs of old mice appear younger and more effective at fighting infection.
Researchers have identified a bacterial breakdown pathway for diazepam in UK rivers, which could reduce its potentially harmful impact on the environment. The study found that bacteria can break down diazepam's photo-degradation product, ACB, into small natural molecules, including ammonium.
Research found that environment plays a significant role in the development of eosinophilic esophagitis, a severe and often painful food allergy. The study also identified several environmental risk factors, including food allergies and high twin birth-weight difference.
A recent study by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry identified key knowledge gaps in understanding pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) impacts on ecosystems and human health. The priority areas include research on human health exposure, as well as regional testing methods for measuring PPCPs in the envir...
A new study by University of New Hampshire sociologists found that coastal residents' views on environmental issues are deeply divided along party lines, with Democrats expressing greater concern about environmental problems than Republicans.
A new study by Yale University authors found that consumers are more likely to purchase a product if it is perceived as environmentally friendly due to unintentional design changes rather than intentional eco-friendly efforts.
A recent IU study found a three-way interplay of gender, genetics and social integration influences substance abuse outcomes for men and women. Strong family ties can protect men's well-being, but strong social ties may overwhelm women with similar genetic sensitivity to stress.
Researchers have found that an antibody against EphA3 can slow tumour growth and kill cancer cells by disrupting blood vessels and the tumour micro-environment.
More than 500 delegates from 62 countries have issued a call to action to address the impacts of climate change on human health and the global environment. The ecohealth community has developed a vision and commitment to action that will bring together existing efforts to respond to climate change.
Researchers identified associations between community and neighborhood land uses and community participation among adults with acquired chronic disabilities. Living in communities with diverse land use and open spaces was linked to decreased reporting of social and physical participation.
Positive psychology research suggests that less materialism leads to increased happiness and well-being, resulting in a healthier environment. Thrift and conserving resources also contribute to overall happiness.
Researchers estimate mercury levels in global ocean, separating natural and human sources for the first time. The study found that ocean waters shallower than 100m have tripled in mercury concentration since the Industrial Revolution.
A new study by New York University found that a well-designed physical work environment can improve nurses' efficiency, teamwork, and communication, leading to higher job satisfaction. The study also revealed that this indirect impact on job satisfaction is associated with better patient outcomes.
Exercise and relaxation techniques have been found to alter how people perceive their environment, making it less threatening for those with mood and anxiety disorders. This breakthrough could explain why these treatments are successful in managing symptoms.
A new study has found that the dispersant compound DOSS, used in the Deepwater Horizon spill, persists in the environment for up to four years, remaining associated with oil and affecting marine ecosystems. The persistence of DOSS in deep-sea sediments, corals, and sand patties on Gulf beaches indicates a need for further research into...
Researchers at Kansas State University have found that bacteria can acquire iron from the environment using tiny protein loops on their surface. These protein loops are similar to fingers and can open or close to grab iron molecules, allowing the bacteria to establish an infection.
Research by Aarhus University scientists reveals that locally adapted honey bees are better equipped to handle environmental challenges and produce more honey. The study found that colonies with local queen strains lived 83 days longer than those with foreign queens, suggesting a critical role for genetic adaptation in bee survival.
A study by BU researchers found that people arrested by police were more likely to share needles and overdose, increasing HIV transmission and mortality. The study suggests that policing practices contribute to the HIV risk environment and recommends prevention programs and policy changes to address this issue.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield found that rats deliberately change how they sense their environment using their facial whiskers depending on the situation. They move their whiskers back and forth continuously while navigating in the dark, adapting their movement to detect obstacles and avoid collisions.
Scientists develop a new statistical mechanics model to explain protein folding and unfolding in an aqueous environment. The study confirms the validity of their calculations using experimental measurements for two proteins, providing insights into high-energy ions therapy on biological cells.
Researchers have created nanoparticles that can deliver and exchange complementary molecules inside cells. The nanocarriers, 15 nanometers in diameter, navigate through the membrane and sequenceally deliver their cargo, enabling exclusive interaction between internalized molecules.
Wayne State University has received a $2.4 million NIH grant to develop a cleaner, healthier environment in Detroit through its Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES) program. The program will explore the impact of environmental exposures on human health, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children an...
Researchers have discovered that plants use a complex process to sense water in soil and adjust their root architecture accordingly. This process, known as hydropatterning, allows plants to optimize water uptake and survive in environments with limited resources.
African Americans have higher preterm delivery rates than non-Hispanic whites, partly due to disparities in residential environments. Researchers are investigating the links between subjective and objective measures of neighborhood exposures and preterm delivery among African American women.
Researchers analyzed honeybee waggle dances to evaluate EU agri-environment schemes, finding they benefit bees. The study used a novel source of data to monitor large land areas and provide information on landscape quality.
A new study has found that the human hand microbiome varies depending on location and lifestyle. The research compared microbes from women in the US and Tanzania, revealing different dominant bacterial species associated with environment, soil, and indoor lifestyles.
Jiang and DeAngelis' theoretical paper explores how species modify their environment to gain benefits, affecting community diversity. Their work is likely to foster further research and generate hypotheses for experimental studies.
A new Center at Indiana University School of Medicine aims to equip the future health care workforce with tools of implementation science. This enables optimal care in a rapidly changing environment, focusing on patient-centered and cost-efficient care.
The atlas provides maps of 14 diseases and conditions, alongside environmental agents such as air pollution and pesticides. It highlights areas with consistent patterns of lower relative health risks, including central London and North Norfolk.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that brain activity in place cells helps construct cognitive maps, a pattern of activity reflecting an animal's internal representation of its environment. This activation can mark the birth of a memory, as seen in rats who pause to inspect their surroundings and create new place fields.
A study published in Nature Genetics identified a large number of heritable genes associated with disease risk, providing a new resource for understanding the genetic control of transcription. The researchers analyzed blood sample data from twins and found that heritable genes are more likely to be associated with disease.
A team of researchers created a 3D model of cervical cancer cells using 3D printing, mimicking the complex environment of a tumor. The model showed higher proliferation rates and resistance to anti-cancer drugs compared to traditional 2D models.
A study found that genes amplify stress from harsh environments for some children, while supportive environments help mitigate this effect. The research used telomere length as a biomarker of stress and showed that genetic pathways play a role in the stress response.