Researchers found that individuals with reduced biological arousal before the onset of COVID-19 exhibited more symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder compared to those with higher responses. The study suggests that lower heart rate reactions may be a unique biomarker for mental health outcomes.
A Baylor University study found that people experiencing threats to their existence are more likely to experience miracles. The study analyzed data from a Pew Research Center survey of 15,400 respondents from 16 countries and found no relationship between education level and the likelihood of experiencing a miracle.
Researchers discovered evidence of massive volcanic eruptions in Central Texas that caused global cooling 13,000 years ago. The study indicates that the Younger Dryas cooling event was not caused by an extraterrestrial impact but rather a combination of Earth-based processes.
A Baylor University study led by Cathryn Townsend challenges the long-held notion that the Ik ethnic group in Uganda is selfish and loveless. The research found that sharing and cooperation are integral to Ik culture, with a strong emphasis on supernatural punishment for those who do not share.
A management study led by Baylor University found a troubling connection between workplace pregnancy discrimination and the health of mothers and babies. Perceived pregnancy discrimination can lead to increased postpartum depressive symptoms for mothers and lower birth weights, gestational ages, and doctor visits for babies.
A Baylor University study found that combining mindfulness with hypnotherapy significantly reduced stress levels and increased mindfulness in participants. The intervention, called mindful hypnotherapy, was well-received by participants, who practiced almost daily and reported high satisfaction.
Researchers use innovative technique to study fossilized skeleton in London museum, discovering it belongs to previously thought rare genus. Analysis reveals widespread distribution across UK, Russia, and Arctic regions.
A Baylor University study found that exposure to obesogens, chemical compounds disrupting normal metabolic processes, can lead to increased susceptibility to weight gain across the lifespan. The study highlights the potential effects of chemicals in consumer products on lipid-related diseases, including obesity and fatty liver disease.
A Baylor University researcher suggests that clinicians should be aware of their misconceptions about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and educate themselves about the program to integrate it into their work with clients. Both AA and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aim to help individuals accept personal responsibility for their actions.
A Baylor University study found that college students who listened to classical music during a lecture and in their sleep performed better on a test the next day. However, over time, scores dropped to 'floor level' as performance averaged less than 25% for both groups.
Three new species of toothed pterosaurs have been identified in Africa, providing a window into the world of pterosaurs during the Cretaceous period. The fossils suggest that these flying reptiles were similar to those found on other continents and preyed on a superabundance of fish.
A national survey conducted by Baylor University researchers found that a majority of participants opposed separating immigrant families and charging parents as criminals. The study also identified factors associated with support for the zero-tolerance policy, including conservative ideology and social dominance orientation.
Researchers analyzed 752 photos of faith-centered tattoos on college students, finding that nearly 20% were overtly religious in content. Religious tattoos were more likely to face inward, toward the owner, and feature images such as the cross, often with Bible references.
A new study challenges conventional wisdom on obesity, suggesting that eating too much, not exercising too little, may be the primary factor in weight gain. Researchers found that Amazonian children with physically active lifestyles and chronic immune system challenges spent similar numbers of calories as sedentary children in the US, ...
A Baylor University researcher has developed a new tool, the Treatment Adherence Perception Questionnaire (TAPQ), to help patients adhere to their treatment plans. The TAPQ assesses two key attitudes: perceived benefit and perceived burden, which are strongly associated with motivation to adhere to treatment.
Environmental health professionals in US report challenges in six areas: drinking water quality, wastewater management, healthy homes, food safety, public health pests, and disaster risk reduction. The study emphasizes the need for professional training, expanded partnerships, and translational research to address these issues.
A growing segment of Americans travels farther to worship, but frequent attendance makes them more committed to their neighborhood. Researchers found that attending services less frequently due to distance does not necessarily lead to a stronger sense of community.
A Baylor University study found that strong same-sex friendships among male firefighters can help reduce job stress, but loving relationships with their wives may increase anxiety. The 'marriage effect' was a surprise, as married men have better health and lower mortality risk compared to single or divorced men.
A Baylor University study explores how Tsimane' people's beliefs about a good life influence their cardiovascular health. Key findings include the importance of traditional knowledge, social wealth, and embodied wealth in maintaining health, highlighting the need to consider cultural factors in addressing health disparities.
A Baylor University researcher's prototype smartphone app, CRADLE, detects early signs of various eye diseases in children by searching for abnormal reflections from the retina. The app surpassed the 'gold standard' of sensitivity and detected leukocoria with 80% accuracy.
Forager-farmers in Bolivian lowlands experience changes in body mass and diet over nine years, with increased use of cooking oil contributing to weight gain. Despite remarkable cardiovascular health, the Tsimane' population faces health challenges associated with high-calorie foods.
Caregivers of people with dementia experience significant sleep loss, estimated at 2.5-3.5 hours per week, affecting both their mental and physical health. Simple interventions such as morning sunlight, regular bedtime routines, and moderate exercise can improve caregivers' sleep quality.
A new study by Baylor University found that supervisors driven by profit motive can create low-quality relationships with employees, leading to a loss of performance. Employees perceive these relationships as distrustful and unaffectionate, resulting in decreased productivity and commitment.
A Baylor University researcher has made a significant discovery about the dynamic process of DNA damage recognition, providing new insights into the molecular repair machinery. The study found that the protein Rad4/XPC binds to UV-induced DNA lesions, marking them for repair and initiating the nucleotide excision repair pathway.
A Baylor University study reveals that informal caregivers experience high rates of work interruption due to unmet needs for workplace support. The research highlights the need for employers to step up and provide necessary resources to help caregivers manage their responsibilities.
Researchers have discovered a large mass of material beneath the South Pole-Aitken basin, the Moon's largest crater. The mass, weighing over half a mile, may contain metal from an asteroid that crashed into the Moon and formed the crater.
A Baylor University study finds that prosperity beliefs can influence entrepreneurial attitudes and value orientations, but not directly lead to business startups. Values such as self-enhancement and openness to change are associated with recognizing opportunities and taking risks.
Recent hybridization of Gulf killifish has enabled them to adapt quickly to extreme pollution in the heavily polluted Houston Ship Channel. The study found that fish from more polluted sites were most resistant to pollution and that resistance was inherited through multiple generations.
Researchers have developed a new chemical synthesis strategy, pharmacophore-directed retrosynthesis (PDR), to harvest information from natural products and identify novel, simpler derivatives. This approach may lead to selective protection of neurons and prevention of immune system rejection in organ transplants.
Dr. Sara Dolan and her team aim to improve clinical practice for children who have been victims of abuse and trauma. They will develop and implement new training methods in assessment and diagnosis for counselors and social workers.
A five-year study reveals that fossil fuel combustion accounts for 60% of black carbon in the Arctic, while biomass burning becomes more significant in summer. The research highlights the importance of controlling pollutants to mitigate climate change.
A recent study from Baylor University found that women are more likely to believe the Bible is literally true than men. However, this may be because they report higher levels of closeness to God, which increases with prayer and Bible study. The study suggests that intimacy with God plays a key role in literalism, rather than gender.
A Baylor University study highlights the need for expanding access to surgery for children with conditions that can be corrected through surgery. The research found that nearly 250,000 children in Somaliland are unable to access necessary treatment due to lack of access to healthcare and financial constraints.
A Baylor University study found that Facebook memes of Donald Trump in the 2016 election focused more on his hairstyle and facial expressions than on his policy, while those of Hillary Clinton centered on the email scandal and her relationships. The study also revealed that most pages featuring Trump had a higher following than those f...
A type of mosquito known to transmit malaria has been detected in Ethiopia for the first time, posing a public health concern. The Anopheles stephensi species was identified in Kebri Dehar, an eastern Ethiopian city, and its presence may lead to an emergence of malaria in new regions.
A Baylor University study finds that Americans are happier in states that spend more on libraries, parks, and highways. Public goods spending makes communities more livable with more amenities, boosting home values and social connections.
Research at Baylor University found that students who met the 8-hour sleep challenge averaged a four-point grade boost on their final exams. This improvement was seen even after removing extra credit points, suggesting that better sleep itself led to improved performance, not just the incentive.
Baleen whales experienced chronic stress from whaling, ship noise, and sea-surface temperature changes over nearly 150 years. Cortisol levels peaked in the 1960s during whaling's peak and remained high after WWII, indicating a persistent impact of human activities.
A new 'buddy system' of nursing education has been found to improve student learning and confidence by promoting collaborative decision-making. The 'Two Heads Are Better than One' method involves two students working together as one nurse, forcing them to prioritize and make clinical decisions, resulting in less anxiety and more robust...
A Baylor University study found that veterans with combat-related PTSD experienced reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety after participating in an eight-week therapeutic horseback riding program. The program improved quality of life, self-acceptance, confidence, gratitude, and hope among participants.
A new Baylor University study reveals that employees with high levels of autonomy and emotional stability are best suited for remote-work opportunities. The research team surveyed 403 working adults and found that autonomy is critical to protecting remote employees' well-being and helping them avoid strain.
A Baylor University study found that bereaved children whose late mothers were very religious are likely to be less religious after their mother's death. In contrast, children whose late mothers placed no importance on religion are more likely to become religious, particularly in prayer and importance of faith.
A Baylor University study found that a supplemental drivers' education program increased teens' awareness of the consequences of risky driving. However, data from a follow-up period showed no significant impact on their behavior behind the wheel.
A Baylor study reveals that religiosity drives donors to give, but materialism decreases charitable giving. Researchers suggest fundraisers can use this knowledge to boost giving.
A Baylor University study finds that children with certain types of brain tumors who undergo radiation treatment are more likely to forget recent memories than pre-treatment ones. The study suggests that radiation impacts the development of new cells in the hippocampus, leading to deficits in forming new memories.
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that grip strength in children is a strong predictor of their future health, including risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Researchers suggest that improving muscular strength during adolescence could help prevent these outcomes.
A Baylor University study finds that consumers' thinking styles, not just price endings, influence purchasing decisions. Holistic thinkers are less affected by nine-ending prices when cognitive resources are limited, while analytic thinkers respond similarly under time pressure or distractions.
A Baylor University study finds that many young adults with severe mental illness consider religion and spirituality relevant to their mental health. Researchers discovered unique ways in which this sample made sense of their difficult life situations through their religious/spiritual perspective.
A newly developed questionnaire measures two aspects of patient experience: alliance and confusion, offering a more nuanced understanding of doctor-patient relationships. The study supports the validity of the new instrument, which allows for better assessment of patient experiences beyond just identifying dissatisfied patients.
A Baylor University study found that negative behavior has a greater impact on individuals' well-being and relationship satisfaction during stressful life events. The research suggests that low doses of negative behavior can have a significant effect, while further increases in negativity have less impact.