Researchers from Wageningen University predict the species diversity of large herbivores in nature reserves by analyzing soil fertility and rainfall data. The study finds that areas with fertile soil and average rainfall are ideal for high species diversity, contrary to expectations.
A Cornell University study found that living in housing with more green spaces boosts a child's attention capabilities and improves their mental health. The research suggests that the natural environment plays a significant role in a child's well-being, and simple interventions like preserving trees or planting new ones could have a po...
A recent study published in The Lancet suggests that prenatal and postnatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls is associated with lower mental and motor development scores in infants. Conversely, a stimulating home environment can counteract this adverse effect.
Researchers investigating cumulative effect of maternal cocaine use on infants' mental development, examining interactions with environment, family violence, and substance co-use. The study aims to understand how children develop self-regulation and control impulses.
C. elegans has a large number of genes due to its genetic makeup and the need for robust development and morphology. The worm's ability to fend off bacteria and other microorganisms in its soil environment is also thought to contribute to its high gene count.
A study found that early exposure to a farming environment reduces the risk of childhood asthma and other allergic diseases. Children exposed to farms in their first year of life had lower rates of asthma, hay fever, and atopic sensitization compared to those exposed later.
Researchers found that aggressive melanoma cells leave behind a molecular track in the extracellular matrix that contains information and cues. These cues can cause less aggressive tumor cells to become more aggressive when they interact with the same matrix.
Researchers at Purdue University have demonstrated a method for delivering insulin orally using microscopic particles that protect the medicine from stomach acid until they can be released in the intestines. The system has been shown to be non-toxic and effective, with the potential to revolutionize treatment for insulin-dependent diab...
Hydrogenosomes evolved from mitochondria in response to drastic ecological changes, displaying both species-specific and conserved features. The research team found that the contents and form of hydrogenosomes differ across species, with some resembling mitochondria.
Global change poses significant environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. Scientists urge immediate action to address these issues, as human activities are transforming the Earth's environment at an unsustainable rate.
The AAAS atlas shows how human activities affect natural resources, land use, and biodiversity. It provides case studies examining the relationship between population growth and environmental degradation in various regions.
Researchers have developed a method to directly observe three-dimensional nanostructured glass, which has the potential to solve macro-level problems in technology and the environment. The material can be used for various applications such as optical fibers, coatings for computer chips and sensors for detecting biotoxins.
The National Center for Eco-Industrial Development aims to facilitate job growth and sustainable industrial expansion in economically distressed communities. The new center will encourage industrial ecology, establish eco-industrial parks and expand the use of processes to maximize communities' development potential.
War has a profound impact on the environment and human health, causing widespread destruction of infrastructures, displacement of populations, and ongoing presence of radioactivity and toxins. Medical personnel working in conflicts must recognize and document sexual violence, provide necessary care, and advocate for justice to prevent ...
The environment plays a significant role in cancer development, with occupational factors and environmental pollution attributed to 5-7% of cancer deaths. Dr. Richard Clapp reviews the relationship between environmental exposure and cancer, emphasizing the importance of cancer prevention and physician screening for hazardous exposures.
Researchers have identified regulatory cells that govern the behavior of stem cells in Drosophila, revealing a specialized cellular environment known as a niche. The niche environment provides support needed for stem cell self-renewal, and its characteristics may offer insights into human stem cell regulation.
The International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment will discuss successes and failures of research on human exposure to toxic metals. Major themes include risk assessment, environmental epidemiology, and human health effects, with a focus on protecting children from toxic metals.
A new IIASA report examines Namibia's population growth, environment, and development, providing a comprehensive understanding of the country's challenges and opportunities. The study highlights the importance of sustainable human development and explores alternative policy scenarios for Namibia's future.
Volunteers use virtual reality helmet and computer program to take actions like turning on TV or stereo by simply wishing it so, in breakthrough study that may someday enable patients with extreme paralysis to regain control of their surroundings
Researchers from around the world present real-world and theoretical findings on valuing environmental services, exploring challenges of assigning economic values to ecosystems and regulating the environment. The study highlights the complexities of managing ecosystem resources and incorporating costs of pollution into prices.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have designed a new type of molecule that exhibits wide-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including effectiveness against resistant bacteria. The synthetic beta-peptides mimic naturally-occurring peptides found in nature and have shown promise in laboratory tests.
A University of Hawaii research team has discovered a new class of myoglobin-like proteins in ancient microorganisms, which may be the evolutionary ancestors of proteins involved in oxygen sensing and transport. These proteins help sense oxygen, allowing the organism to find a more favorable oxygen environment.
Researchers at UCSF found that reducing a worm's ability to perceive its environment through smell or taste extends its lifespan by more than a third, from two weeks to three or four weeks. This suggests that chemical signals from the environment, possibly pheromones or food smells, influence aging in C. elegans.
A new Cornell University study suggests that without democratic population-control practices and resource-management policies, the world's 2 billion people will face a difficult life by 2100. The report predicts an optimal population of 2 billion, with a standard of living about half that of the United States in the 1990s.
The Committee for the National Institute for the Environment is launching an electronic meeting place to facilitate collaboration between conservation biologists and natural resource managers. This initiative aims to promote interdisciplinary research and answer resource managers' questions, addressing a need for large-scale studies in...
A UC Berkeley conference on population growth and the environment will explore the impact of human population on the planet's ecosystems. Renowned populations expert Joel E. Cohen will discuss how human population, culture, and environment interact.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that stimulating environments can help prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Rats living in enriched surroundings showed 45% less brain cell death compared to those in basic conditions.
Experts gather at AAAS Symposium to discuss the impact of new accountability requirements on research environments. A study by the National Academy of Science's Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy (COSEPUP) will be presented, highlighting potential negative effects.
Dr. Gerardo Vasta will discuss diseases in the ocean, including parasitic diseases affecting shellfish and fish species, which can harm human health and the environment. He will also highlight the importance of developing accurate probes for detection and monitoring of pathogens.
The Swedish EPA has developed a new model for assessing the state of the environment, making it easier to compare local and regional areas. The model criteria cover six areas: forest landscape, agricultural landscape, groundwater, lakes and watercourses, coasts and seas, and contaminated sites.
Researchers at Cornell University found that infants' cycles of motor activity can help them 'visually forage' their environment. The study uses mathematical models to simulate infant behavior, revealing a pattern where motor activity peaks before visual attention disengages.
A recent study found that bartenders' respiratory health and lung function improved significantly after a smoke-free environment was established in California bars. The study, supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, suggests that banning smoking in bars can have a positive impact on the health of bartending staff.
A seven-year UF study of 39 Alachua County students found that brain structure, hand preference, and environment all influence reading skills. Children with unusual brain asymmetry were at greater risk for reading failure, even in environments with high literacy stimulation.
A recent study found that the uterine environment can have a profound impact on cognitive behavior in mice. The researchers discovered that hybrid-uteri mice, which are born from non-immune mothers with transplanted BXSB embryos, demonstrated significant cognitive advantages over other groups.
A new report from Cornell University predicts climate change will have a significant impact on US workplaces, with potential job losses of up to 1.6 million. The report identifies numerous strategies for unions and workers to improve environmental performance and create sustainable jobs.
Researchers at UNC-CH have invented a process using carbon dioxide to separate liquids, promising a more environmentally friendly alternative to toxic solvents. The new method, described in Nature, has shown success in removing dye from water and could be applied in industries releasing vast amounts of waste water into the environment.
Researchers at Ohio University have developed a list of 19 characteristics common to bullies and 21 characteristics common to victims. The list could help identify children who may become bullies or victims before problems become serious. Experts agree that home environment is a strong indicator of negative factors in bullies and victi...
A University of Georgia researcher's study found that many PCBs in the environment may not be as carcinogenic as previously believed. The project aimed to re-evaluate the toxicity of PCBs based on new scientific information and changes in cancer classification.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are collaborating with Digital Equipment Corp to create a new, high-performance desktop computing environment (HPID) that includes advanced video capabilities. The system will involve about 500 state-of-the-art computers and servers interconnected through a very high bandwidth, low-latency netw...
A twin study by Yale University psychologist J. Steven Reznick found that environment plays a greater role in how many words a child understands than genetic factors. The study also showed that language comprehension rather than spoken language at ages 14 and 20 months predicts intelligence test scores at 24 months.