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Drexel University


Underground ants can't take the heat

A new study from Drexel University found that underground species of army ants are less tolerant of high temperatures than their aboveground relatives. The research highlights the importance of considering microhabitat in predicting animal responses to climate change.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateJun 15, 2015

Measuring air quality effects of natural gas extraction in Marcellus Shale region

A Drexel University team conducted a mobile air quality monitoring campaign to assess the impact of natural gas extraction on air quality in the Marcellus Shale region. The study found relatively small increases in air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic chemicals, with elevated ultrafine particles from compressor s...

SourceDrexel University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 20, 2015

Mapping language in the brain

Researchers created a detailed brain map of language impairments in aphasia following stroke, identifying four dimensions or factors: semantic recognition, speech recognition, speech production, and semantic errors. The study found that specific brain areas, such as the left Sylvian fissure and white matter bottleneck, are associated w...

SourceDrexel University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 16, 2015

Children's hunger born from mothers' trauma

A new study by Drexel University suggests a strong relationship between adverse childhood experiences and household food insecurity. Trauma and chronic stress are found to be a largely overlooked part of the picture of why one in five American households with young children live with food insecurity.

SourceDrexel University·JournalPublic Health Nutrition·DateFeb 3, 2015

Hospitals helping violence victims could save millions

Researchers at Drexel University found that hospital-based violence intervention programs can prevent violent reinjury and perpetration, reduce aggressive behaviors, and improve employment and education outcomes. These programs are estimated to save tens of thousands to $4 million in costs over five years.

SourceDrexel University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJan 26, 2015

Shaping the future of energy storage with conductive clay

Researchers at Drexel University have developed a conductive clay that can be easily molded into various shapes and sizes, representing a significant shift in the production of electrodes for energy storage devices. The clay's high conductivity and plasticity make it an attractive candidate for use in batteries and supercapacitors.

SourceDrexel University·JournalNature·DateNov 26, 2014

Study maps how city neighborhoods affect diabetes risk

A new Drexel study finds that neighborhood and community-level factors play a significant role in diabetes risk, with areas of poverty, low education and high obesity rates having higher diabetes rates. The researchers report that improving the physical and social environment can reduce diabetes risk by up to 12%.

SourceDrexel University·JournalAdvances in Preventive Medicine·DateNov 25, 2014

Bending -- but not breaking -- in search of new materials

Researchers create a new material that can store charge and support weight, with potential applications in wearable technology, water filtration, and radiofrequency shielding. The material's flexibility and strength make it suitable for various uses, including improving electrical energy storage.

SourceDrexel University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2014

Federal legislation ignores PTSD toll on civilians

A study by Jonathan Purtle found that federal legislation addressing PTSD has predominantly focused on military personnel, with over 90% of mentions targeting military personnel or combat exposure. However, PTSD affects a significantly larger civilian population due to its prevalence in non-military traumatic events.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Traumatic Stress·DateNov 11, 2014

Clean smell doesn't always mean clean air

A Drexel University researcher studied indoor aerosol spikes caused by cleaning products and air fresheners, revealing the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) due to limonene reactions. The study suggests a significant impact on indoor air quality, warranting further public health research.

SourceDrexel University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateOct 29, 2014

Do urban casinos increase local crime? Not in this case study

Researchers at Drexel University and Temple University found that the introduction of SugarHouse Casino had no significant impact on violent street felonies, vehicle crime, residential burglary, or drug crimes in the immediate neighborhood. Crime rates were largely unaffected, with some displacement to surrounding areas observed.

SourceDrexel University·JournalSecurity Journal·DateJul 17, 2014

Do people with autism struggle with driving?

A new study published by Drexel University found significant differences in self-reported driving behaviors and perceptions of driving ability among autistic adults compared to non-autistic adults. Adults with autism reported driving less frequently, restricting their behaviors, and experiencing more traffic violations.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateJun 26, 2014

Awareness month spurs web searches for autism

Researchers at Drexel University found a significant spike in Google searches for autism in April, with an average increase of 26 percent between March and April. The study analyzed web search trends from 2004 to 2014 and also found a long-term increasing trend for Asperger's disorder searches.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateJun 26, 2014

You catch (and kill) more flies with this sweetener

Researchers at Drexel University found that erythritol is toxic to fruit flies in a dose-dependent manner. The sweetener is safe for human consumption, unlike other pesticides that have caused accidental poisonings. Further studies will be conducted on other insects and the compound's effects on the food chain.

SourceDrexel University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 4, 2014

In utero exposure to antidepressants may influence autism risk

A new study from Drexel University suggests that in utero exposure to antidepressant medications may contribute to a higher risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children. The study analyzed large population-based registers and found a two-fold increased risk for ASD associated with in utero exposure to SSRIs.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateJun 3, 2014

3-D printing cancer tumors

Researchers at Drexel University have created a method for 3D printing living cancer tumors using cervical cancer cells and hydrogel substances. This breakthrough technology allows for more accurate modeling of tumor behavior and response to treatment, potentially leading to new paradigms for cancer research and individual therapies.

SourceDrexel University·JournalBiofabrication·DateApr 25, 2014

In child custody disputes, LGBT parents face bias in the courts, new Drexel review finds

A new review from Drexel University finds that court decisions favoring heterosexual parents over gay or lesbian parents often ignore important social science research on parenting by gay and lesbian individuals. The researchers recommend considering this research to guide policy and inform judges' decisions in complex custody cases.

SourceDrexel University·JournalPsychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity·DateApr 15, 2014

Paleontologists assemble giant turtle bone from fossil discoveries made centuries apart

Scientists successfully reassemble two halves of a giant sea turtle bone, one dating back to the Cretaceous Period and the other from the 19th century. The discovery reveals that some exposed fossils can survive longer than previously thought, with calculated estimates suggesting the turtle's size was around 10 feet long.

SourceDrexel University·JournalProceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia·DateMar 25, 2014

Low parking costs may encourage automobile use

A new study by Drexel University found that low parking costs are associated with increased public transit miles, despite efforts to promote non-automobile travel. Cities with higher parking costs saw a 2.3-fold increase in public transit passenger miles.

SourceDrexel University·JournalPublic Works Management & Policy·DateMar 24, 2014

Worker wasps grow visual brains, queens stay in the dark

A new study reveals that queen paperwasps have smaller visual processing brain regions than workers, suggesting environmental factors shape caste differences. The research highlights the importance of considering individual brain differences within insect colonies for studying neuroecology.

SourceDrexel University·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateJan 6, 2014

Disarming HIV with a 'pop'

A team of Drexel University researchers has created a molecule called DAVEI that can trick HIV into destroying itself by hijacking the virus's fusion machinery. The microbicide was designed to mimic the forces it feels when attached to a healthy cell, causing the virus to release its genetic payload harmlessly and die.

SourceDrexel University·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateSep 19, 2013

Measuring progress in nanotech design

A Drexel-led team of researchers has developed a new method to measure the band offset in nanoscale devices using laser-induced current spectroscopy. This breakthrough enables the design of more efficient and effective nanoscale components, such as solar cells, LEDs, and high-speed electronics.

SourceDrexel University·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 4, 2013