Researchers at Brown University have discovered the optimal shape of sea sponge spicules, which provides a blueprint for increasing buckling resistance in human-made structures. The tapered shape, similar to a Clausen column, offers improved buckling resistance due to its consistent and nearly identical dimensions.
A recent study by Brown University researchers has found that the RNA pathway operates in a non-reproductive body tissue, called the fat body, in flies and helps sustain life. The study also shows that blocking components of the pathway leads to increased DNA damage, shorter lifespan and poor health.
A study of over 3,000 families affected by mid-20th Century China's widespread starvation found that prenatal famine exposure was associated with significantly higher odds of hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes in both the mother and her children. The risk persisted even when only one parent had been exposed to famine.
Scientists have found that Jupiter's massive gravity may have formed rare, high-velocity meteorites called CB chondrites. These meteorites suggest Jupiter was near its current size and in the asteroid belt when they were formed, about 5 million years after the solar system solidified.
A new study suggests that blood-borne HPV antibodies can serve as a reliable biomarker for predicting the outcome of all types of head and neck cancer. The researchers found that patients with an immune response to HPV have a lower risk of dying during the five-year follow-up period, regardless of the exact location of their tumors.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new compound that can render Mycobacterium tuberculosis susceptible to the immune system. The compound inhibits the bacterial proteasome, making proteins damaged by nitric oxide accumulate and cause bacteria death.
Brown University's XROMM technology has been upgraded with new software and fluoromicrometry methods, allowing researchers to track muscle contractions and bone movements with precision. This advancement has led to discoveries such as the use of body muscles to power swimming in fish.
Researchers from Brown University have demonstrated a method to put brakes on superconductivity by creating a random gauge field, disrupting the propagation of Cooper pairs and converting the material to an insulator.
A study of over 38,000 US children found their diet quality improved between 1999 and 2012, but still lags behind, with disparities seen among racial and economic groups.
A new study compared the effectiveness of opioids and NSAIDs in treating persistent pain after car crashes, finding no significant difference in pain risk but a higher likelihood of ongoing opioid use among patients prescribed opioids.
A team of geophysicists has reconstructed the terminal phase of the collision between North America and Gondwana, revealing a 300km-long shear zone that stretches from Alabama to Florida. This discovery provides new insights into the formation of the southern Appalachians and has implications for understanding mountain-building processes.
A team of scientists at Brown University has made key discoveries about the body's natural immune response to fungal infections. They found that specific receptors on white blood cells signal the cells to take action against the fungus, and manipulating these receptors may help develop new therapies to combat growing drug resistance.
A team of scientists has restored intentional walking movement to a temporarily paralyzed leg in rhesus macaques using a wireless brain-spinal interface. The system uses signals recorded from the motor cortex of the brain to trigger coordinated electrical stimulation of nerves in the spine responsible for locomotion.
The highly competitive residency matching process has become increasingly frenzied, driving up costs for students and disrupting the fourth year of medical school. Students are applying to an average of 30-45 programs, with some specialties requiring over 70 applications, leading to excessive travel and financial burdens.
Researchers have developed a method for creating crumpled metal-oxide films using graphene templates, resulting in enhanced properties such as higher charge-carrying capacity and increased reactivity. This process allows for the introduction of wrinkle patterns on metal oxides, overcoming previous limitations.
A new study found that regions with higher uptake of the program saw a 40% decline in hospitalizations to treat chronic conditions among indigenous Australians. Hospitalization rates dropped from 82.3 per 1,000 in 2009 to 61.2 per 1,000 in 2011.
A study by Brown University researchers found that hospital readmission history is a strong predictor of future readmissions after controlling for key confounding factors. The analysis showed that patients are going to skilled nursing facilities based on logistics-related preferences rather than the severity of their illness.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new interactive sleep app, SleepCoacher, that uses sleep analytics to provide personalized recommendations. The app guides users through self-experiments to find the most effective recommendations for improving their sleep.
Scientists used GRAIL data to create a computer model that recreated the rings' formation, revealing new details about the interior structure of Orientale. The team estimates that about 816,000 cubic miles of rock was blasted away during the collision.
Researchers at Brown University have identified 98 proteins that are likely to bind to the cancer-linked enzyme PP2A, making them potential partners in crime worth investigating. The discovery could help scientists predict how strongly each protein binds PP2A and offer clues on how to prevent disease-causing misregulation.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that integrated neighborhoods, where black, white, Asian, and Hispanic residents coexist, are becoming more common in the US. This trend is seen in both diverse and less diverse metropolitan centers, with global neighborhoods emerging as a result of Hispanic and Asian immigration.
A new study from Brown University finds that schools with collaborative relationships, safe environments, and high expectations outperform those without these elements. Improving school climate can help retain teachers and improve student achievement in math.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials found potential beneficial effects of flavanol-rich cocoa on cardiometabolic health. Flavanol intake may reduce dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation, which are major subclinical risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that about 9,000 square kilometers of forestland were cleared from 2008 to 2012, exceeding PRODES monitoring data. This deforestation has significant ramifications, including nearly doubling Brazil's greenhouse gas emissions estimates.
Researchers developed a new image analysis technique to distinguish between epithelial and mesenchymal cells in tumors. The algorithm achieved over 92% accuracy in categorizing individual cells, revealing potential insights into cancer drug resistance and treatment.
The new RNA ligase, KOD1Rnl, has been developed by Brown University researchers to enable high-temperature reactions and improve template specificity. It is the most active in the presence of certain RNA structures, making it useful for RNA sequencing and detection.
Experiments show that people's sense of understanding is increased when told others around them comprehend it. The study found that assurance of others' knowledge creates a community of knowledge, where people feel more confident in their own understanding, regardless of actual expertise.
A new study found that boasting about intelligence can make a person seem more competent, but less moral, than those who remain humble. Self-effacement claims also have consequences, with declaring oneself not particularly smart worse for perceived competence than being shown right or wrong.
A new study using data from Rhode Island's lead-abatement program and repeated blood lead level tests found that low reading scores among preschoolers can predict lower scores in subsequent years. The study suggests that lead exposure may contribute to the persistence of gaps in test scores between children from different socioeconomic...
Researchers found that infants as young as 8 months use the same circuits as adults when learning simple hierarchical rules. Their brains are properly adapted to handle essential elements in their world, suggesting a more mature prefrontal cortex than previously thought.
J. Michael Kosterlitz, Professor of Physics at Brown University, has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking work on topological phase transitions and exotic states of matter. His discoveries have opened up new avenues for materials science and electronics.
A new study shows that dramatic environmental changes in Lake Malawi's water levels and clarity likely drove the diversification of hundreds of cichlid species. The researchers found alternating periods of deep and shallow water, which created new habitats for fish to adapt into.
A new study strengthens the links between transposons and aging, showing that increased transposon activity correlates with decreased lifespan in fruit flies. The study also reveals that manipulating genes involved in heterochromatin repression can lengthen lifespan, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for age-related diseases.
A recent study found that young adults who experienced negative interactions on Facebook were at a significantly higher risk of depression. The study, which controlled for various confounding factors, found that bullying and unwanted contacts were associated with elevated risks of depressive symptoms.
Researchers used the DecNef technique to associate neutral faces with positive or negative feelings in volunteers, resulting in changes in facial preferences. The study suggests that the cingulate cortex is involved in handling both sides of emotion, leading to significant changes in ratings for faces rated as positive or negative.
A new $9.67 million grant will be used to investigate the connection between retrotransposable elements and aging, with the goal of developing therapeutic interventions. The researchers will work with human cells, mice, and fruit flies to study how these elements contribute to age-related diseases.
Researchers have identified a rare neurological disorder caused by GPT2 gene mutations, replicating the disease in lab cultures and mouse models. The study reveals insights into brain development, neurotransmitter function, and metabolic pathways, providing new opportunities for diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered a unique interaction among proteins that could be a target for new cancer therapy. Ki-67 and RepoMan bind to PP1 in an unusual way, forming a 'hairpin' shape on the surface of PP1.
A study of nearly 3,400 military veterans over 10 years found that those who misused opioid painkillers had a very high likelihood of also beginning to use heroin. Non-medical use of prescription painkillers was the biggest predictor of heroin use.
The DHAKA score is a four-symptom assessment tool that predicts dehydration severity in children under age five with high accuracy. A new study validates the tool's performance in identifying moderate to severe dehydration, outperforming the current standard IMCI guidelines.
Scientists have discovered how ALS-linked protein mutations affect TDP-43's normal function, causing it to aggregate and lead to disease. The study found that specific regions of the protein play a crucial role in its concentration and processing.
A new Brown University study projects that treating 2,000 Rhode Islanders for hepatitis C virus infection per year could reduce cases by 90 percent and prevent over 70 percent of expected liver-related deaths by 2030. The analysis found that doubling the number treated annually could reduce death rates by less than 20 percent.
A Brown University study used a custom-built device to compress neurons in 3-D cell cultures and observed their reaction to traumatic brain injury. The findings suggest that there may be a window for therapeutic intervention aimed at minimizing further damage, with irreparable structural damage occurring after approximately six hours.
A task force has been criticized for not recommending melanoma screening due to lack of evidence, but dermatologists believe early detection reduces risk of death from melanoma through visual inspections. The issue highlights the need for refined standards on skin cancer screenings with potential life-saving benefits.
Scientists have developed a specific mechanistic explanation of beta waves, suggesting that excitatory synaptic stimulation from the thalamus drives pyramidal neurons to produce these waves. The theory is supported by computer models and measurements in animal models.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a method to induce a new polymer phase in PLA, increasing its strength and prolonging its degradation rate. The new phase can make the material stronger while also making it last longer, potentially leading to improved medical applications.
A recent study identified a genetic variant associated with higher BMI levels and increased efficiency of fat storage among Samoans. This 'thrifty' variant, found on chromosome 5, is linked to the islands' high obesity rates and may have evolved as an adaptation to food scarcity in ancient times.
The LUX experiment has completed its search for dark matter, yielding no trace of a particle despite achieving record sensitivity. The results provide critical guidance for future dark matter experiments by eliminating potential models.
A new study estimates that the asteroid that formed the Moon's Imbrium Basin was likely a protoplanet-sized object, two times larger in diameter and 10 times more massive than previous estimates. The research also sheds light on the geological features surrounding the basin, which help explain some of its puzzling characteristics.
Scholars propose five guidelines to prevent disputes over frozen embryos, including clear contract language, requiring a binding agreement, and anticipating potential tragedies. These recommendations aim to provide clarity for the estimated million frozen embryos in the US, reducing uncertainty and shifting terrain of varying state laws.