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Brown University


Brown astronomers create new technique to eliminate signals disrupting sensitive radio telescopes

Astronomers at Brown University have created a new method to pinpoint and filter out unwanted radio frequencies, crucial for preserving high-quality observations in the face of increasing satellite activity. By combining near-field corrections and beamforming techniques, researchers successfully tracked an airplane transmitting a telev...

SourceBrown University·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Australia·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 12, 2025

More primary care physicians are affiliated with hospitals, leading to increased patient costs

A study by Brown University researchers found that nearly half of primary care providers in the US are affiliated with hospitals or private equity firms, resulting in higher charges. These affiliations were linked to a 10.7% increase in negotiated prices for office visits compared to independent practices.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 28, 2025

Brown researchers show how gut hormones control aging in flies and how it relates to human biology

Researchers at Brown University have found a way to extend the lifespan of flies by suppressing a hormone that regulates insulin secretion. The study suggests that certain medications used to treat human obesity and diabetes may also impact aging, making it a promising area of research for future studies.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2024

Federal government may be paying twice for care of veterans enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans

Researchers at Brown University found that the federal government may be paying more than $78 billion annually to care for U.S. military veterans enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, raising questions about federal overpayments to those private plans. The study suggests that dual enrollment of some veterans could result in more federa...

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 4, 2024

How do coexisting animals find enough to eat? Biologists unlock insights into foraging habits in Yellowstone

Researchers used cutting-edge molecular biology tools and GPS tracking data to determine the dietary habits of different animal species in Yellowstone. They found that feeding behaviors depend on body size, with smaller species diversifying their diets in summer and larger animals competing for resources in winter.

SourceBrown University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeObservational study·DateSep 19, 2024

Future enterovirus outbreaks could be exacerbated by climate change

Researchers at Brown University found that temperature increases enterovirus transmission, with a similar effect seen in polio historically and more recent enteroviruses causing hand, foot and mouth disease. Climate change may lead to increased intensity of outbreaks, particularly in regions with larger seasonal temperature ranges.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 6, 2024

Tropical plant species are as threatened by climate change as widely feared, study confirms

A recent study by Brown University biologists reveals that even small variations in temperature and moisture can have massive impacts on tropical epiphyte species, threatening ecosystems they support. The research found that most species struggled to survive outside their native ranges in climate conditions differing from what they typ...

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 22, 2024

In a significant first, researchers detect water frost on solar system’s tallest volcanoes

A team of planetary scientists has detected patches of water frost on Mars' Tharsis volcanoes, which are the tallest in the solar system. The frost forms for only a few hours after sunrise and is incredibly thin, but constitutes a significant amount of water that swaps between the surface and atmosphere each day during the cold seasons.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 10, 2024

New technique from Brown University researchers offers more precise maps of the Moon’s surface

The study enhances shape-from-shading technique to create detailed models of lunar terrain with higher resolutions and faster production speeds. Researchers use advanced computer algorithms to automate the process, resulting in more accurate maps that show subtle features and variations of lunar surface terrain.

SourceBrown University·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 29, 2024

Lack of focus doesn’t equal lack of intelligence — it’s proof of an intricate brain

Researchers at Brown University's Carney Institute for Brain Science discovered how the brain coordinates attention and filtering functions to perform complex tasks. The study found that multiple brain regions work together to adjust focus and filter out distractions, providing insight into human cognitive flexibility.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 8, 2024

Virtual reality exposure plus electric brain stimulation offers a promising treatment for PTSD

A new study combines virtual reality exposure with transcranial direct current stimulation to treat post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans. The innovative approach shows significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity and accelerates psychological adjustment, offering hope for an effective treatment.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 6, 2024

Firearm ownership is correlated with elevated lead levels in children, study finds

A new study led by Brown University researchers found an association between household firearm ownership and elevated lead levels in children's blood in 44 states. The study suggests that firearm-related lead ammunition use is a significant source of lead exposure in the US, disproportionately affecting children.

SourceBrown University·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 4, 2024

Exposure to Agent Orange damages brain tissue in ways similar to Alzheimer’s disease

A new study reveals that Agent Orange damages frontal lobe brain tissue in laboratory rats, causing molecular and biochemical abnormalities similar to early-stage Alzheimer's disease. This research has important implications for the long-term brain health of aging veterans and people exposed to biologically similar herbicides.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2024

Overdose prevention sites not associated with increase in crime, according to study

A study by Brown University researchers found that government-sanctioned overdose prevention centers in New York City were not associated with a significant increase in crime. The analysis of five administrative datasets showed no changes in violent crimes, property crimes, or calls for emergency services in the surrounding neighborhoods.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateNov 13, 2023

Practicing mindfulness can help people make heart-healthy eating choices

A study led by Brown University researchers found that mindfulness-based blood pressure reduction programs improve health behaviors associated with lower blood pressure. Participants in the program showed significant improvements in adherence to a heart-healthy diet and self-awareness, which influences dietary choices.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 2, 2023

Venus had Earth-like plate tectonics billions of years ago, study suggests

A new study suggests that Venus once had plate tectonics similar to those on early Earth, which could have supported microbial life. The researchers used atmospheric data and computer modeling to show that the planet's current atmosphere and surface pressure would only be possible with an early form of plate tectonics.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 26, 2023

Using topology, Brown researchers advance understanding of how cells organize themselves

Using computational topology, Brown researchers have developed an algorithm that profiles shapes and spatial patterns in embryos, enabling the study of how cells assemble into tissue-like architectures. The new approach uses persistence images to rapidly compare large datasets, reducing computation time from hours to seconds.

SourceBrown University·Journalnpj Systems Biology and Applications·DateSep 14, 2023

Malaria-causing parasites resistant to both treatment and detection have emerged in Ethiopia

Scientists have detected new strains of malaria-causing parasites in Ethiopia that are resistant to current treatments and escape detection by common diagnostic tests. The prevalence of these double-resistant parasites is a concern for malaria control and elimination efforts in Africa, where the disease remains endemic.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 11, 2023

Moderna is safest, most effective mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 for older adults, study shows

A large head-to-head comparison study of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines found that the Moderna vaccine was associated with a slightly lower risk of adverse events for older adults. The study also showed that the Moderna vaccine was linked to a 4% lower risk of pulmonary embolism and a 15% lower risk of diagnosed COVID-19.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateAug 2, 2023

Similar to humans, elephants also vary what they eat for dinner every night

A new study reveals that elephants' dietary habits are more varied than previously thought, with individual preferences playing a significant role. The research used DNA metabarcoding to analyze fecal and hair samples from two groups of elephants in Kenya, finding that even family members may eat different plants on the same day.

SourceBrown University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeObservational study·DateJul 4, 2023

Gullies on Mars could have been formed by recent periods of liquid meltwater, study suggests

A new study led by Brown University researchers reveals that Martian gullies could have been formed by on-and-off periods of meltwater from ice on and beneath the planet's surface. The study found that when Mars tilts on its axis to 35 degrees, conditions become dense enough for brief episodes of melting to occur.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 29, 2023