A new study by Brandeis University recommends routine screening in primary care for mental health and substance abuse problems. This can help identify more people with behavioral health conditions, leading to earlier treatment.
A new approach to teaching chemistry at Brandeis University seeks to capture the imaginations of potential scientists through interactive and technology-driven learning. The program aims to build a 'science posse' of disadvantaged students, providing them with academic support, paid lab jobs, and a two-week boot camp.
A new study by Brandeis University and Harvard University finds that the US pays over $90 billion annually for the economic costs of hunger. The average American household pays around $800 per year for hunger-related expenses.
Brandeis University researchers have identified CaMKII as a key molecule in memory storage, allowing them to induce and biochemically erase memory in rat hippocampus slices. This discovery holds promise for treating Alzheimer's and epilepsy by weakening overly strengthened synapses.
Brandeis University professors Eve Marder and Chris Miller have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their outstanding research achievements. This honor brings Brandeis' total NAS membership to ten, reflecting the university's strong commitment to scientific excellence.
A Brandeis University study shows that the circadian neuronal network in fruit flies functions as a dynamic system that enables insects to adjust their behavior according to seasonal changes. The researchers discovered that two groups of neurons, morning cells and evening cells, alternate as master clocks depending on day length and se...
A landmark five-year study explores the under-representation of women and minority faculty in leadership and senior positions in academic medicine. The National Initiative on Gender, Culture and Leadership in Medicine aims to foster the advancement of women and minority physicians in academic medicine.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that mothers' knowledge of local plants is a key factor in determining their children's health, particularly in remote areas where globalization is threatening traditional folk knowledge.
A recent report by Brandeis University reveals that health insurance fails to provide financial protection for millions of Americans, leading to widespread debt and access problems. The study highlights the need for clearer rules and standards of accountability for health insurers.
Researchers found that participants could learn a complex sequence of motions by viewing and remembering it without actually reproducing it. This suggests that imitation learning is crucial for acquiring many skills used in daily life, such as sports and rehabilitation after an accident.
A new study published in Clinical Therapeutics suggests that private health plans increasingly rely on escalating copayments to manage drug costs, making treatment more expensive for patients. This can affect adherence to treatment, particularly for psychiatric disorders.
A national survey of commercial health plans found that most private plans provide online provider directories and educational information about mental health and substance abuse. However, only two percent offered online counseling services, highlighting the need for increased investment in behavioral health resources.
A novel Brandeis University study confirms that sight and sound use similar neural mechanisms for encoding and retrieving short-term memories from both senses. The study found that the errors made in memory for sounds are the same types of errors made in memory for sight, suggesting a common brain process.
A new study conducted at Brandeis University and Malaysia found that a modified fat replacing trans fat causes an increase in blood glucose levels and depresses insulin in humans. The researchers discovered that this interesterified fat had a similar impact on cholesterol levels as trans fat, but with weaker effects.
A study by Catalyst found that one-third of the labor force, including both men and women, may be affected by after-school care concerns, leading to worker stress and lost productivity. Companies can reduce this stress by offering flexible work arrangements and supports for working parents.
Brandeis researchers discovered that cortical inhibition plays a key role in experience-dependent plasticity, with inhibitory networks within the cortex being highly plastic. This finding challenges traditional views on brain development and highlights the importance of targeting inhibitory networks for optimal cognitive growth.
Researchers found that older participants preferred happy faces and avoided angry ones, while younger subjects showed a preference for fearful faces. This study challenges traditional views on how age affects emotional processing and suggests a more positive outlook in older adults.
HHMI awards Brandeis professor $1 million to develop a program that recruits and retains disadvantaged students in undergraduate science and medicine. The program is based on the university's successful Posse Foundation program and aims to increase minority representation in these fields.
A five-year project aims to investigate the under-representation of women in top leadership roles in medical schools, with a focus on cultural change and action research. The study will examine the marginalization of minority and generalist faculty as well.
A new study at Brandeis University found that middle-aged and older adults who believe they can control their memory performance do so better. The study used mnemonic strategies to enhance memory performance in adults aged 21-83.
A Brandeis chemist has made a significant breakthrough in developing new methods for molecular synthesis, which could lead to the creation of environmentally-friendly catalysts. His research focused on functionalizing carbon-fluorine bonds, a major component of potent greenhouse gases.
A state-wide report reveals that nearly two-thirds of Kansas respondents had medical debt, affecting all racial and ethnic groups. People drew on savings, borrowed from friends, or took out loans to pay off their bills, despite struggling to meet the financial burden.
A recent study compares the Primary Care Clinician Plan carve-out organization with MassHealth-contracted managed care organizations, finding identical cost per person after adjusting for population differences. The report concludes that the behavioral health carve-out provides good value to Commonwealth and MassHealth members.
Between 14 and 26 percent of psychotropic medication visits lacked a mental health diagnosis, sparking concern about trend's impact. Pharmaceutical companies' spending on TV advertising increased six-fold between 1996 and 2000.
The study proposes a novel model of neural circuitry that fine-tunes behavior through feedback inhibition, potentially explaining regulatory mechanisms like temperature control and satiety. This framework provides a new tool for exploring working memory complexities and understanding mental health and disease.
A landmark study finds state policies enabling low-income households to move from poverty to the middle class by rewarding work effort and enhancing job-related earnings. Asset building frameworks provide stability and opportunities for social mobility and economic security.
Brandeis University physicists Meyer and Redfield have been honored by the American Physical Society for their pioneering contributions to liquid crystals and biological physics. Their research has led to significant advancements in technologies such as LCD displays, with over 50,000 new liquid crystal materials developed.
Marder's research on central pattern generators has led to breakthroughs in understanding neural circuit stability and its implications for diseases like mental illness, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Her work with crustaceans has expanded the field of neuroscience beyond mammals.
Brandeis will develop a program in quantitative biology to understand biological functions. The university will hire a new faculty member and provide funding for courses, seminars, and instrumentation.
Researchers found that morning cells set pace for entire system, resetting evening clock daily without changing its intrinsic speed. Flies' circadian clocks are conserved with mammals, but studying them provides valuable insights into human brain anatomy.
A new national study found that 46% of working families have medical debt, which hinders access to housing and home ownership. The study also revealed that those with health insurance still face housing difficulties, with one-fifth reporting housing problems.
The university has installed a 800 MHz German-made Bruker magnet, funded by a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The magnet is over twice as powerful as average hospital-based MRI machines and will be used for determining the three-dimensional structure and motion of biological molecules.
A Brandeis University study advances understanding of protein dynamics, proposing that enzymes are more mobile than previously thought. The research linked low-energy and high-energy states to enzyme function, shedding light on improving rational drug design through docking to dynamic targets.
A team of researchers, including Brandeis University, is studying the role of glial cells in individual synapses and neural networks. The project aims to deepen understanding of glial cell function and its potential impact on diseases originating from malfunctioning glial cells.
Researchers found that marital problems can lead to elevated blood pressure readings and increased stress levels, affecting both men and women. A study of 105 middle-age civil service workers in the London area found a strong link between poor marital relationships and serious health problems.
Researchers have purified the enzyme and identified its structure using X-ray crystallography, paving the way for developing drugs that target quorum-sensing pathways. The enzyme disrupts bacterial population sensing, preventing genes from triggering increased virulence.
A recent study published in Current Directions in Psychological Science found that hearing loss in older adults can compromise cognitive resources for memory. The research suggests that the extra effort needed to comprehend words detracts from the cognitive processes involved in memorization. This highlights the importance of sensitivi...
The Massachusetts legislature is considering mandatory minimum nurse staffing ratios, with recent research highlighting the importance of nursing staff in improving patient outcomes. The proposed legislation aims to increase the supply of nurses and track patient outcomes, amidst a growing nursing shortage in the state.
Dr. Irene Pepperberg's research shows an African grey parrot, Alex, understands the absence of a numerical quantity by using the label 'none', challenging current understanding of avian cognition. This discovery also holds potential for teaching autistic and learning-disabled children
A new study estimates that dengue fever costs over $13 million annually, equivalent to 940,000 lost workdays of output. A potential vaccine could offset 87% of treatment costs, reducing the economic burden on governments and households.
A study by Brandeis University researchers found that baby-faced individuals are often perceived as less competent than those with more mature features. Babyfaced adults, regardless of sex or ethnicity, share characteristics such as a round face, large eyes, and small chin, which can lead to overgeneralization and perceptions of naivet...
The percentage of Americans aged 65 and older in nursing homes has declined since the mid-1980s, with increasing numbers opting for assisted living and care within their own homes. This shift is attributed to declining disability rates among the elderly and the growing availability of alternative long-term care options.
A Brandeis University researcher has mapped the structure of ephemeral protein 'switches' that play a critical role in transforming mild-mannered bacteria into lethal parasites. This finding raises the prospect of a novel kind of antibiotic to combat growing resistance among many bacteria.
Researchers discover that older adults' brains reorganize themselves to recall visual information, bypassing damaged neural circuits. This adaptation allows them to maintain relatively good memory function despite aging, according to a new study published in Current Biology.
Computer scientists at Brandeis University have successfully designed and built various LEGO structures, such as bridges and cranes, without human input. The team's program uses a trial-and-error approach to optimize designs based on simple optimization goals, laying the groundwork for robots capable of reworking their own hardware.
Scientists at Brandeis University and Children's Hospital Boston used video games to study the brain's sense of direction in teenagers with severe epilepsy. They found that theta oscillations, a special type of brain wave, play a crucial role in spatial learning and navigation.
Researchers at Brandeis University have induced a form of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in mice, allowing them to study its molecular mechanisms and potential treatments. The breakthrough could lead to the development of new therapies for CML, which affects one-fifth of all leukemia patients.
Researchers at Brandeis University have pinpointed a genetic repressor that can transform diphtheria into a lethal parasite. The discovery could lead to a novel class of antibiotics that prevent bacterial virulence without inducing resistance.
A recent study by Brandeis University researcher Patricia Tun suggests that older adults' difficulty in following conversation is linked to fast-paced and noisy environments. The study found that seniors' ability to process speech was impaired when faced with rapid-fire talkers, multiple background voices, or distracting noises.
Researchers link childhood bullying to severe consequences in adulthood, including alcoholism, violent crime, and low self-esteem. Parents and teachers can intervene early with role-playing and conflict resolution techniques to break the cycle of bullying.