Researchers Louis Putterman and David N. Weil introduce the World Migration Matrix, showing how ancestral origins explain most of the world's income inequality, with European roots accounting for 44% of current GDP differences.
A Brown University researcher has discovered that men tend to have more reddish skin and greenish skin is more common for women. The finding has important implications in cognitive science research and potential industry applications in facial recognition technology and advertising.
The team aims to create a visual archaeological database (VAD) to transform the documentation process of excavations. Using video cameras, digital scanning stations, and computer vision, they will analyze and reconstruct artifacts from the Apollonia-Arsuf site in Israel.
Researchers have identified a set of genes responsible for producing the deadly toxin botrydial in gray mold, and found that shutting off this gene can stop toxin production. The discovery offers hope for finding natural ways to eliminate gray mold without using expensive fungicides.
Researchers found that women were surprised and puzzled by the number of contaminants detected in their homes, despite growing awareness of environmental pollution. The study highlights the need for sociologists to collaborate with life scientists to examine the personal experience of environmental problems.
Researchers at Brown University have studied the swimming patterns of Caulobacter crescentus, a single-celled bacterium with a flagellum. The study reveals that drag and Brownian motion govern the circular swimming patterns of the microbe, which helps explain how bacteria scavenge for food and adhere to surfaces.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a computer program that can accurately map the human body's shape from digital images or video. The new technology allows for the creation of realistic 3-D body shapes without requiring people to stand still in minimal clothing.
A Brown scientist found that quahog clams increase in number in hypoxic zones, as they can withstand oxygen-depleted waters and their predators cannot survive there. This suggests that certain species may benefit from dead zones, contradicting the conventional wisdom on these areas.
The study will enroll over 1,000 families from Bristol County and Providence County, following participants from birth to age 21. Researchers hope to identify root causes of diseases like asthma and autism, as well as gain insights into injuries, birth defects, and mental health disorders.
A new colorectal screening procedure, CT colonography, has been found to be highly accurate in detecting intermediate and large polyps. The study, which used virtual reality technology, compared the accuracy of CT colonography with conventional colonoscopy and found that it was comparable in its ability to accurately detect problems.
A Brown-led research team has discovered that the Lake Tanganyika area's climate is linked to ocean and atmospheric patterns in the Northern Hemisphere. The region's rainfall sensitivity is high, with small changes triggering significant precipitation fluctuations.
A groundbreaking study by Brown University economist Yona Rubinstein and Casey Mulligan of the University of Chicago reveals that the apparent narrowing of the gender wage gap in recent decades is due to changes in the type of women entering the workforce, not actual pay increases. The research found that growing wage inequality within...
Researchers found evidence of a water-rich environment in ancient southern highlands of Mars, with phyllosilicate deposits indicating low-temperature mineral formation. The team's discovery suggests a benign, habitable environment during the Noachian period.
A Brown University-led research team has found evidence of water trapped in lunar volcanic glasses, suggesting it was present since the Moon's formation around 4.5 billion years ago. The discovery may shed light on the origin of water on Earth and its presence in the Moon's interior.
Researchers from Brown University have discovered evidence of past volcanic activity on Mercury, suggesting that the planet underwent intense changes to its landscape around 3-4 billion years ago. The findings were made possible by detailed images from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft and provide new insights into Mercury's geologic history.
A team of Brown University researchers has invented mercury-absorbent materials to capture mercury vapor from broken compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The technology can be applied to packaging and plastic bags, making it an inexpensive solution to mitigate environmental concerns and health risks.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a method to regenerate cartilage naturally by creating a synthetic surface that attracts cartilage-forming cells. The team, led by Thomas Webster, uses carbon nanotubes to stimulate cell growth through electrical pulses, which appears to enhance cartilage regeneration.
Researchers have created the smallest magnetic nanoparticles to date that can be used to locate cancer cells during MRI scans. The particles are about 8.4 nanometers in size and emit a stronger signal for detection, making them ideal for detecting tumors without surgery.
A clinical trial found that adding ultrasound screening to mammography increases the detection of breast cancer, but also raises the risk of false positive findings and unnecessary biopsies. The study suggests that women at high risk of breast cancer may benefit from supplemental ultrasound screening.
A recent study by Brown University scientists found that higher plant diversity significantly enhances an ecosystem's productivity, capturing more carbon dioxide and reducing global warming. The researchers also discovered that the number of plant species in a natural environment has a positive correlation with ecosystem productivity.
Scientists at Brown University found evidence of recent glaciation on Mars, challenging the notion that the planet's active climate was confined to the distant past. The team discovered ice packs up to 2.5 kilometers thick existed along Mars' mid-latitude belt as recently as 100 million years ago.
Researchers at Brown University found that flies live longer when they don't produce germline stem cells, which create eggs and sperm. This suggests a general principle in biology where reproductive signals directly control lifespan and metabolism in the whole organism.
A study by Brown University scientists has found that activation of the pain receptor TRPV1 can trigger long-term depression, creating lasting changes in neural connections. This process is believed to be the cellular basis for memory making, with implications for drug development and potentially treating neural disorders.
Brown University professor Peter Schultz presents findings from Peruvian meteorite research, discovering a 49-foot-wide crater and planar deformation features indicating the meteorite maintained high speed during atmospheric entry. The study's implications for Mars craters and extraterrestrial object sizes challenge conventional wisdom.
Researchers like Brad Marston use statistical physics to analyze climate patterns, providing insights into the driving concepts behind global warming. By focusing on the larger mechanisms that drive changes in rainfall, scientists can improve their understanding of climate change and its effects.
A Brown-led study uses genomics tools to reorganize the animal phylogenomic research project, clarifying relationships between major groups and offering surprises. Comb jellyfish diverged from other animals even before sponges, questioning the root of the animal tree.
Researchers at Brown University have found that schistosomiasis japonica is significantly more debilitating than previously thought, with a 0.098-0.186 disability impact score. The study's findings suggest that current measures of the disease's burden may underestimate its true impact.
Researchers have created a new class of statistical estimators called 'centroid' estimators, which allow for more accurate predictions from massive datasets. These estimators identify the most representative solution from the data, overcoming limitations of traditional methods like maximum likelihood estimation.
Kenneth Miller, a renowned biologist, will argue at the AAAS symposium that science is grounded in the idea of 'design', highlighting the correlation between structure and function. He suggests that embracing this concept can help reclaim the language of design and make science more appealing to those seeking meaning.
Heather Leslie explains how resilience science can inform conservation efforts, recognizing connections between human communities and marine ecosystems. Her work shows promise in the Chesapeake Bay restoration project, where oyster sanctuaries and eelgrass seeding increase future resilience.
Brown University has joined the Advancing Robotics Technology for Societal Impact (ARTSI) Alliance to develop outreach programs and provide mentoring opportunities for African-American students in computer science and robotics. The program aims to create pathways for minority students to pursue graduate degrees in computer science.
David Mumford is recognized for his contributions to algebraic surfaces, geometric invariant theory, and the modern algebraic theory of moduli of curves and theta functions. His work has fundamentally changed algebraic geometry, laying the foundations for string theory in physics.
A study by Brown University and Harvard Medical School found that health insurance co-payments significantly reduce mammography use among women. The researchers analyzed data from Medicare managed-care plans and found a 8-11% decrease in breast cancer screening rates among women with co-payments, compared to those with full coverage.
Brown students and faculty will analyze data from MESSENGER spacecraft, exploring Mercury's surface composition, geological history, and magnetic field
A new study by Brown University finds that voter ID requirements in the US are associated with lower levels of political participation, especially among minority groups. The research also reveals that these policies can discourage legal immigrants from becoming citizens, particularly among blacks and Hispanics.
Brown University has been named a Center of Excellence in Geriatric Medicine and Training, receiving a three-year $450,000 grant award from the John A. Hartford Foundation to train geriatrics junior faculty and fellows. The funding aims to address the growing shortage of geriatricians across the US, with 26,000 expected by 2030.
Researchers at Brown University have created a 10-minute animated video explaining rapid tests for HIV, aiming to educate patients and healthcare providers. The video's effectiveness was tested in pilot trials, showing that it can improve comprehension of rapid HIV testing fundamentals.
New study reveals that alcohol and tobacco use do not increase the risk of head and neck cancers in people infected with HPV16, a common strain of the sexually-transmitted virus. The findings suggest two distinct causes for these major cancers, requiring different prevention and treatment strategies.
Researchers at Brown University have made a groundbreaking discovery, finding Cooper pairs in both superconductors and insulators. The team's findings suggest that Cooper pairs behave differently in each material, with some forming solo pairs in insulators that cannot make continuous electric current.
Brown University researchers found that subjects who had access to optic flow adapted faster and made it to virtual targets more easily than those without. The study suggests that optic flow plays a crucial role in navigating through environments.
The Brown University team will collect data on nursing homes across the US to analyze state policies and their impact on long-term care. The goal is to develop sound state policies based on real data to ensure elderly Americans receive high-quality, cost-effective care.
The study provides unprecedented insights into the genetic diversity of fruit flies, enabling scientists to compare related species and track ancestry. By analyzing mitochondrial DNA sequences from 12 species, researchers have discovered highly conserved genes and rapid-evolving genes, shedding light on evolutionary adaptations.
Researchers found that mice without lubricin experienced early wear and increased friction in their joints, highlighting the protein's role as a boundary lubricant. The study's findings suggest injecting lubricin or its close cousin could prevent wear in joints, reducing the need for joint replacement surgery.
A team of Brown University researchers has made a major breakthrough in understanding the biochemical process of cytokine receptor signal transduction. They found that acetylation, another chemical process, plays a central role in activating interferon receptors and triggering an immune response.
A Brown University team has won the International Science and Technology Visualization Challenge with their visualization of bat flight, revealing fine details of wing and body movement during flight. The winning entry showcases the team's innovative use of motion-capture technology to capture the aerodynamics of bat flight.
A three-year study found that children of first-generation immigrants develop a robust awareness of their ethnic heritage and identify with being both part of their parents' culture and American. The study also shows that older children demonstrate greater amounts of ethnic identification and exploration, indicating a positive connecti...
Scientists at Brown University propose that an asteroid impact triggered catastrophic climate change, leading to the mass extinction of megafauna such as wooly mammoths. The theory is based on evidence of nanodiamonds and other extraterrestrial particles found in sediment samples from archeological sites.
Researchers found that a decrease in p53 activity in only 14 insulin-producing cells in the fly brain can significantly extend lifespan, supporting the link between metabolic regulation and aging. The findings also suggest a connection between aging and diabetes, providing a new laboratory model for studying these diseases.
A team of Brown University biomedical engineers has invented a 3-D Petri dish that can grow cells in three dimensions, enabling the quick and cheap production of realistic cells for drug development and tissue transplantation. The technique employs a new dish made from a sugary substance that allows cells to self-assemble naturally and...
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new material that enhances bone growth on orthopaedic implants, increasing the success rate of joint replacements and other implants. The new material, created by applying carbon nanotubes to anodized titanium, encourages bone cells to grow faster and produce more calcium.