A new study suggests that testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) when testing for HIV can improve HIV prevention efforts in South Africa and the broader region. The study found that patients with HIV were more likely to contract STIs before starting treatment, highlighting the importance of simultaneous STI detection and tr...
A Martian volcano, Arsia Mons, may have supported one of the most recent habitable environments on the Red Planet. Researchers found evidence of englacial lakes and volcanic lava flows that could have created a liquid water environment suitable for microbial life. The discovery is significant as it suggests that such environments may h...
A new study suggests that people's perception of free will is based on the agent's ability to make intentional and independent choices, regardless of their spiritual beliefs. The study found that participants generally attributed free will to humans with mental capacity, but not to those without.
Researchers at Brown University discovered that tiny muscles called plagiopatagiales embedded in a bat's wing membrane can adjust stiffness and curvature during flight, fine-tuning aerodynamic performance. The muscles tense on the downstroke and relax on the upstroke, working in synchrony to stiffen the wing.
A review of recent economic research found that newborn health has improved nationally in recent years, with a decrease in low birth weight among disadvantaged mothers over the last 20 years. This improvement is attributed to increased public policies and programming aimed at improving prenatal and postnatal care.
A new chemotherapy regimen administered before surgery and chemoradiation improves tolerance to treatment in most rectal cancer patients. The study found that over 90% of patients were able to complete a full course of standard treatment, with many experiencing a significant reduction in symptoms.
Researchers found that lifespan in fruit flies depended more on interactions among dietary, genetic and mitochondrial factors than on individual factors. This study suggests that looking at complex combinations can lead to a deeper understanding of the aging process.
Nearly 4 million Americans may be infected with hepatitis C virus, with one in six inmates having the disease. Implementing hepatitis C treatment programs in US prisons and jails could save lives and reduce costs.
Researchers identified distinct genetic underpinnings for different manifestations of preeclampsia, including early vs. late timing and high severity levels. The study found unique sets of genes involved from both mother and fetus, suggesting specific biological contributions to the condition.
Research found that snacking frequency and diet quality differ by age in schoolchildren, with younger kids benefiting from snacks and teens negatively affected. Nutrient-rich snacks can be a key to improving diet quality in children, especially as they enter adolescence.
Studies by Brown University researchers confirm that crabs are ravaging coastal saltmarshes in New England and Long Island. The team's work reveals herbivory of cordgrass by the Sesarma crab is a major cause of marsh death, with overfishing reducing natural predator populations.
Researchers found that anammox, a crucial environmental process, is almost completely absent in Narragansett Bay but present in Rhode Island Sound. This disparity suggests that bay sediments lack the necessary conditions to activate anammox.
Researchers develop intuitive smart home programming solution, trigger-action paradigm, allowing non-programmers to automate tasks and control devices. The study found that 78% of activities could be expressed as a single trigger and action, making it accessible to everyone.
Asteroid and comet impacts can preserve the signatures of ancient life in Earthly impact debris. Researchers found fragments of leaves and preserved organic compounds in ancient impact glasses from Argentina, which could provide a snapshot of environmental conditions at the time of those impacts.
A clinical trial found that HIV-positive women build antibodies against HPV and experience no unusual safety issues after vaccination. The study's results counter doubts about the vaccine's effectiveness in this population, suggesting it is safe and beneficial for those with weakened immune systems.
A new paper highlights the disproportionate impact of HIV on communities of color and poor neighborhoods, emphasizing the need for geographically targeted prevention and treatment efforts. The authors call for increased investment in vulnerable communities to combat the epidemic.
Brown University scientists found that the fundamental neural wiring map between the nose and brain becomes established in early development and remains unchanged throughout life. The study's findings provide insight into neurodevelopmental disorders and may have implications for regenerative medicine.
A new epidemiology model developed by Brown University researcher Yen-Tsung Huang integrates genomic data from SNPs, gene expression, and methylation to find significant associations with diseases like asthma and brain cancer. The model improves performance and validity across different subjects, paving the way for further applications.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered a method to fortify steel by twisting it, allowing for improved strength while maintaining ductility. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new steel alloys for high-strength applications such as axles on high-speed trains.
A team of researchers in Kenya and Brown University will test a community-based breastfeeding support initiative with a $450,000 grant. The three-year pilot aims to improve nutrition and health status among 1,000 mother-child pairs in rural Igembe North.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that hospital attending physicians' specialties are linked to the likelihood of patients receiving gastric feeding tubes, which is not recommended for frail, terminal patients. The study analyzed tens of thousands of cases over a decade and found that patients cared for by primary care ...
Scientists have found that temperature variations deep within the Earth's mantle influence mid-ocean ridge elevation and volcanic hotspots, resolving a long-standing controversy. The study analyzed seismic wave data and rock chemistry to determine that higher mantle temperatures are associated with thicker crust and volcanic activity.
A team of Brown University researchers have developed a methodology to integrate mindfulness experiences with brain imaging, allowing for the formation of testable hypotheses about the science and mental health benefits of meditation. By employing structured coding of self-reported personal experience, they can correlate mental states ...
A new analysis of Mercury's surface suggests that the planet experienced extended periods of volcanic explosions in its history. The study, led by researchers at Brown University, used MESSENGER data to determine that the eruptions did not occur all at once but rather over an appreciable period of Mercury's history.
Researchers used EEG to track emergence of rule structures in frontal cortex and predict behavior. Participants tended to infer cues of context and rules, with individual variation in structure-forming activity correlating with application in subsequent tasks.
Researchers from Brown University have assembled a 60,000-year record of rainfall in central Indonesia, showing that the region's normally wet climate was interrupted by a severe dry period during peak ice age. This finding provides crucial data for predicting how the region might respond to global warming.
Scientists have identified a set of proteins called TAFs that may play a role in the development of ovarian cancer. Studies found that these proteins are overexpressed or underexpressed in 73% of tumors, suggesting they could be potential targets for new treatments.
A recent study explores the mental state of returning veterans, finding that many struggle with identity conflict and feel 'alien' among family and friends. The research highlights the need for broader dialogue around veteran experiences beyond diagnosable illnesses like PTSD.
A new technique uses DNA methylation signatures to detect immune cell types in blood samples, showing high accuracy compared to existing methods. The approach counts specific chemical alterations that distinguish between cell types, enabling researchers to understand the unique signature of each cell type.
Researchers have identified specific behavior of PP1 by analyzing binding motifs with regulatory proteins. This discovery allows them to predict interactions with a significant number of proteins without resolving their structure.
The article highlights the need for improved prison healthcare, citing that over 95% of prisoners will return to the community with significant health burdens. Experts recommend alternatives to imprisonment, improved oversight, and a 'risk-needs-responsivity' model to address chronic medical conditions and substance abuse after release.
Rodents learn visual tasks in a fourth to sixth the number of trials when stimuli are projected onto the floor, outperforming traditional wall projections. Automated visual cognitive research tasks with neural activity recording and brain stimulation can be performed efficiently.
A study of US filicide arrests over 32 years found that men are as likely to kill infants as women, and stepchildren are not more likely than biological children to die at their parents' hands. The data also revealed that fathers were more likely to be the alleged murderers of adult children.
A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that pregnant and postpartum women with bipolar disorder experience significant mental health problems, including self-harm, substance abuse, and complications during delivery. Researchers emphasize the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment to mitigate these risks.
Researchers found that two Chilean barnacle species, Jehlius cirratus and Notochthalamus scabrosus, coexist without strong competition, even in different temperatures. The study's surprising non-finding may have implications for understanding the biological future of major coastlines.
A new mathematical model developed by Brown University scientists can predict how trees compete for space in the canopy, revealing that incumbent trees dominate 97.9% of a given square meter two years later.
The LUX detector demonstrates its high sensitivity to potential signals in the search for low-mass dark matter particles. The new calibration confirms that no evidence of such particles was found during the detector's initial run.
Researchers at Brown University discovered that working memory uses similar brain circuits to those involved in planning motion. They found that the caudate and dorsal anterior premotor cortex contribute to output gating, a crucial process for selecting from working memory. The study's findings provide insight into how the brain effici...
A recent study found that Samoa's adult population is almost three-quarters obese, with type 2 diabetes rates over one in five. The island's unique genetic profile and environmental factors are being investigated to understand the causes of this obesity crisis. This phenomenon may serve as a harbinger for global health difficulties.
Researchers discovered a widespread longevity mutation in fruit flies, found in 17 of 22 lines gathered from around the globe. The mutation, called Hoppel, was linked to increased life span and reproductive fitness in heterozygous flies.
A study of 230 bipolar I disorder patients found that nearly a third were taking four or more psychiatric medications, with an average of six different drugs. Women were significantly more likely to experience complex polypharmacy, taking 68% of these high medication burden cases.
A new study found differences in doctor-patient dialogue about HIV drug adherence depending on patients' race and ethnicity. Black patients experienced significant provider dominance, while Hispanic patients had more extensive dialogues about adherence.
Scientists have created a boron-based material called borophene, which could be stronger and more conductive than graphene. The material is formed from a triangular lattice structure with hexagonal vacancies, similar to the theoretical predictions made earlier.
A systematic review of data from over 40 studies found that colleges can reduce freshman drinking by implementing personalized feedback reports, which significantly helped students to reduce their drinking frequency, quantity, and alcohol-related problems. Interventions combining multiple techniques proved most effective in reducing fi...
A recent Alzheimer's trial failed to produce cognitive improvement for volunteers, but researchers have identified key takeaways to inform the development of new treatments. Lessons learned include testing drugs in individuals building up amyloid plaques, giving higher doses safely, and combining disease-modifying treatments.
Researchers have developed a new class of antibiotics called acyldepsipeptides (ADEPs) that kill bacteria in a unique way by altering protein degradation pathways. By modifying the ADEP molecule's structure to make it more rigid, they increased its potency up to 1,200 times that of the naturally occurring molecule.
Researchers found that people have a preferred distance for judging depth most accurately, which depends on their mind's perception of arm length. The study shows that manipulating perceived arm length can influence depth perception and tactile sensitivity.
Researchers at Brown University discovered that cilia in single-celled organisms like paramecium have distinct motor behaviors for swimming and nutrient uptake. The findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisms behind these diverse functions.
Wolfgang Peti, a Brown University biochemist, has received a $1.625-million New to Diabetes Research Accelerator Award to tackle type 2 diabetes. He aims to develop medicines that improve on the status quo, potentially making insulin injections unnecessary.
A new study found that seniors transitioning from nursing homes to home and community-based care (HCBS) face a 40% greater risk of preventable hospitalizations. The practice resulted in more hospitalizations among seniors dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare due to inadequate medical support services in community settings.