A team of researchers at Brown University and India Institute of Technology Kanpur created a scaffold-looking structure consisting of carbon nanofibers that regenerated natural heart tissue cells and neurons. The approach, if successful, would help millions of people suffering from heart attacks.
A new study found that exercise improves mood and reduces cigarette cravings in women smokers, but the effects are short-lived lasting several hours to days. Researchers plan to conduct larger trials to determine how frequently exercise must be done to sustain its anti-craving benefits.
A new study published in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases found that high levels of saturated fat in dairy products do not increase the risk of heart attack. Instead, other nutrients in dairy products, such as calcium and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), may have protective effects against heart disease.
A team of scientists found that reptiles and mammals lived in separate areas due to differences in water availability, with reptiles thriving in drier temperate zones and mammals in water-rich tropical regions. This study helps predict the impact of climate change on mammal species distribution.
A new survey finds that discussions surrounding feeding tube insertion are often inadequate, with 13.7% of family members stating medical providers inserted the tube without discussion first. Despite research questioning the value of feeding tubes, 32.9% of people in the survey reported improved quality of life for their loved ones.
Researchers at Brown University have found that the Notch signaling pathway regulates sleep in nematode worms, and similar genes are expressed in human brains. The study suggests that targeting this pathway could lead to more precise and safer sleep aids.
Researchers at Brown University study thylacine bones and find they were solitary, ambush-style predators, unlike dogs that hunt in packs. Their unique arm structure allowed for subduing prey after surprise attacks, differing from other large canid species.
Researchers propose that a prolonged dry spell and lower atmospheric carbon dioxide levels drove the rise of cacti and other succulents, leading to rapid speciation between 5-10 million years ago. This coincided with species explosions in other plant groups, including C4 grasses, which burst onto the scene during the same time period.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered new molecular interactions in stem cells that control their versatility, using a technology called MEGAShift. The study found that proteins compete and cooperate to produce complex bindings along DNA sequences.
A recent study found that teenagers retain a unique and consistent pattern of underlying brain oscillations even during periods of rapid neural change, lending support to the idea of a 'brain fingerprint',
A new study in South Africa found that HIV-positive individuals take almost as much risk in their sexual behavior when they know their partner is HIV-negative or don't know their status, as when they know their partner is already infected. Couples-based HIV counseling is recommended to address this issue and reduce transmission.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered a key mechanism by which seedlings regulate their growth and development. The study, led by biologist Alison DeLong, found that protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) plays a critical role in suppressing ethylene production during germination.
Researchers found that genetic variations can predict how persistently people will believe advice, even when it contradicts their experience. The study highlights the role of confirmation bias in decision-making, where people tend to distort experiences to align with pre-existing beliefs.
A new study led by Brown University sociologist Gregory Elliott found that adolescents who believe they matter to their families are less likely to threaten or engage in violence against family members. The research reveals a strong correlation between feeling mattered and reduced violent behavior among adolescents.
A team of Brown University researchers recommends involving stakeholders, setting objectives early, and creating institutional structures to manage US oceans effectively. They found success stories in California's Morro Bay and Washington state's Northwest Straits.
A study by Brown University researchers found that children were the victims in more than half of emergency room visits for eye injuries related to aerosol cans. The youngest children, ages 0 to 4, accounted for an estimated 2,830 emergency room visits during the study timeframe.
A recent study found that Delhi's radical changes in air quality regulations had a substantial positive effect on the health of city residents. The research used remote sensing imagery to measure the effects of air quality on health, and found that poorer men exhibited significant negative relationships between ambient air and respirat...
A new system allows for the measurement of power that cells employ to assemble into three-dimensional tissue. The research helps engineers evaluate how quickly cell types will combine into desired structures.
The VA has seen significant improvements in healthcare quality over the last decade, with better care for seniors and patients with diabetes. However, racial disparities persist, with black veterans experiencing lower quality of care and fewer favorable outcomes compared to white veterans.
A new technique allows scientists to observe herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) infections growing inside cells, revealing a mechanism by which HSV1 leads to Alzheimer's disease. Frequent interactions between viral particles and cellular amyloid precursor protein facilitate viral transport while interfering with normal APP distribution.
Major lineages of flowering plants began to rapidly diversify after reaching a point of development that maximized speciation success. The researchers compiled the largest plant phylogeny to date, involving 55,473 species of angiosperms.
A woman with tetraplegia has controlled a computer cursor accurately for over 1,000 days using the BrainGate neural interface system. The system, which decodes brain signals to translate them into digital instructions, has shown promising results in enabling people with paralysis to control external devices.
Brown University researchers created two nanoscale surfaces that promote skin cell growth on titanium leg implants, sealing the gap where bacteria can enter. The findings show nearly doubled skin cell density within five days, indicating a complete layer of skin has been formed.
Brown University researcher Robert Reenan has created mutant fruit flies that mimic human epilepsy, with the goal of finding genes that can suppress seizures. By using a unique technique called homologous recombination, Reenan hopes to induce mutations in the flies that may lead to a genetic cure for epilepsy.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered that mutant prions can aid cells in overcoming harmful protein misfolding, a process thought to be catastrophic. The findings suggest that targeted interventions at various stages of the misfolding process can enable cells to overcome the problem.
A recent study found that China's nursing home industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the country's aging population. However, the industry lacks adequate government oversight and regulation, leading to concerns about substandard care and poor staffing levels.
Casey Dunn, a Brown University biologist, has been awarded the National Science Foundation's Alan T. Waterman Award for his groundbreaking research on the origins of diversity in life. The award recognizes his use of genomic and computational techniques to study complex multicellular organisms, including humans.
Researchers found that weak supporting evidence can make people less likely to believe in an outcome, even if they have no evidence at all. This effect, known as the 'weak evidence effect,' influences professional persuaders and public perceptions of policy.
A Brown University study uncovers a novel protective effect of the molecule putrescine on brain activity after epileptic seizures. Putrescine converts into GABA, calming brain activity and increasing resistance to subsequent seizures.
A protein complex called MSL amplifies the X chromosome in males, allowing enzymes to express genes more freely. This process helps correct the genetic imbalance between X and Y chromosomes in males.
Researchers developed an intervention to help pregnant women control their weight, with normal-weight women more likely to stay at a healthy weight. The program increased the chance of returning to pre-pregnancy weight six months after delivery, but had limited success for obese or overweight women during pregnancy.
A study led by Brown University researcher Eric Loucks found a significant correlation between advanced education and lower blood pressure in both men and women. Women who completed 17 years of schooling or more had systolic blood pressure readings that were on average 3.26 mmHg lower than those who did not finish high school.
A blood test can accurately detect biomolecular markers of bladder cancer risk linked to environmental exposures like cigarette smoke and industrial pollutants. The test measures methylation patterns in immune system cells, which are associated with an increased likelihood of disease.
Deep brain stimulation therapy has shown promise in reducing symptoms of severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for a small subset of patients. After years of research, Dr. Benjamin Greenberg presents the longest-term results of the technique, highlighting its potential to improve symptoms and quality of life.
Two Brown University scientists, Heather Leslie and Leila Sievanen, will discuss the importance of marine spatial planning, ecosystem-based management, and social science inclusion in managing the nation's oceans. Leslie will focus on understanding ocean ecosystems' resilience to variability and climate change, while Sievanen will high...
A new study published in Medical Care found that even steep reductions in co-pays for outpatient mental health care do not motivate more seniors to seek care. Despite parity legislation and reduced co-pays, participation in mental health services remained unchanged, except for black seniors who saw a slight increase.
A new study finds that Candida albicans responds to pheromones from multiple species, not just its own, leading to same-sex mating and biofilm formation. This adaptability could increase drug resistance or altered pathogenic properties, making it a potential target for infection prevention strategies.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a magnetic pill system that can safely hold pills in place in the intestine where they need to be absorbed into the bloodstream. The system uses an external magnet to sense the position of the pill and apply precise forces to keep it in place.
A new study by Brown University researchers finds that nursing home closures are concentrated in poor, urban areas, leaving millions without choices for long-term care. The closures have been attributed to changing Medicare payment policies and the increasing bifurcation of society into rich and poor.
The world's oceans are under siege due to species loss, leading to ecosystem collapse. A new study finds that a loss of ecological redundancy, where multiple species occupy the same space, is directly blamed for marine ecosystem collapse in the fossil record.
A long-term study of 15 body dysmorphic disorder sufferers found a high recovery rate of 76% and low recurrence rate of 14%, with some patients recovering within two years and others taking five years or more. The study suggests that BDD is not always debilitating, with a third of participants working full-time.
A novel human protein called biglycan has been shown to significantly slow muscle damage and improve function in mice with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The treatment restores utrophin presence in muscle cells, reducing muscle tissue damage by 50% compared to untreated mice.
Malaria-infected red blood cells stiffen up to 50 times more than healthy ones, blocking capillaries and impeding nutrient and oxygen delivery. This deformation changes blood viscosity and flow, potentially leading to severe organ damage.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a method to cut single-walled carbon nanotubes with precision, enabling the creation of higher-quality nanotubes for various applications. The technique involves sonicating the nanotubes in water, causing them to fracture due to compressive atom ejection.
A new study finds that the proportion of nursing home residents with dementia benefiting from Medicare hospice care nearly tripled between 1999 and 2006, with duration of care more than doubling. This trend has implications for policymakers seeking to control Medicare costs while preserving access to essential end-of-life care.
A new research paper published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reveals a genetic mutation that leads to abnormal metabolic processes in gliomas, potentially leading to targeted therapies. The study shows that almost all tumors with IDH mutations have the same methylation pattern.
A new report by Brown University sociologists John Logan and Brian Stults found that despite increased diversity, American neighborhoods remain segregated. The US2010 project analyzed data from the American Community Survey to track changes in society over time.
A new nonverbal response card has been developed to improve the accuracy of data collection on teenage sexual behavior. The device reduces reporting bias and provides confidential responses, resulting in higher accuracy rates for HIV risk assessment.
A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research suggests that quitting smoking is associated with improved mental health, particularly reduced symptoms of depression. Researchers found that individuals who successfully quit smoking reported lower levels of depressive symptoms compared to those who did not quit or relapsed.
Research by ecologists at Brown University found that faster water flow speeds promote greater diversity of invertebrate species on rocks under the ocean. The study showed consistent results across three regions, suggesting that water flow is a key factor in determining marine biodiversity.