Childhood obesity has surged globally, with nearly half of all overweight children under 5 years old found in Asia. The authors highlight the need for coordinated efforts to address this epidemic, including increased physical activity and healthier diets.
A recent FAU study reveals that mesophotic corals can replenish declining shallow reef populations with strong genetic connectivity between shallow and deep zones. The research suggests that deeper corals could be a key source of genetic diversity for shallow reefs, providing valuable opportunities for recovery and restoration efforts.
Pretend play is associated with enhanced cognitive abilities like executive function, language, and perspective-taking. Research suggests that play-based preschool curricula offer more significant long-term advantages in academic performance and students' attitudes towards school.
A recent study by FAU researchers links copper regulation to neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's. The team discovered that a specific gene, swip-10, plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of copper in cells, which can prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that neighborhoods with poorer redlining scores have higher peak summer temperatures and reduced neighborhood walking time for older adults. However, affluent neighborhoods with more favorable built environments showed reduced walking in extreme heat due to alternative transportation options.
Research by FAU Harbor Branch reveals that managing both phosphorus and nitrogen is crucial for tackling toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Okeechobee. Human waste is identified as a major source of nutrients, with elevated nitrogen levels found in urbanized estuaries and the Kissimmee River.
A new study by Florida Atlantic University finds that maternal disapproval of children's friends damages their standing among peers, exacerbating behavior problems. Mothers who meddle in their child's friendships inadvertently worsen their behavior issues.
Researchers at FAU aim to identify signatures of natural selection in the human genome, understanding its role in adaptation and disease. The $1.8 million NIH grant will develop powerful tools for complex modes of adaptation from genetic data.
Researchers from FAU and UPR will study cultural dimensions of ecological instability in South Florida and Puerto Rico, capturing nuanced ways communities respond to environmental disruptions. The project aims to develop strategies to mitigate harm and enhance adaptability.
A study by Florida Atlantic University and the University of Tübingen found that rainfall cools beach surfaces and enhances moisture for egg development, making it a crucial factor in determining hatchling body size. The research suggests that global warming may shorten incubation periods and disrupt growth, affecting sea turtle survival.
Researchers will develop an AI-driven system for photo-identification and tracking of Florida manatees, optimizing the cost-precision trade-off in traditional tracking methods. The project aims to streamline conservation efforts while providing essential information on population dynamics, health, risks, and vulnerability.
A new study explores how older adults in a South Florida retirement community coped with the pandemic, finding they grew stronger and more resilient. Participants discovered new interests, deepened relationships, and used technology to adapt, leading to increased confidence and life appreciation.
Researchers analyzed nighttime light data to assess power restoration rates in urban and rural areas, finding disparities between socioeconomic status and community type. The study highlights the need for targeted policy solutions to address these disparities and improve disaster recovery.
A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers has identified novel players in dopamine signaling using Caenorhabditis elegans. They found that mutations in the BBSome protein complex, which regulates transport and signaling in cells, can lead to rare genetic disorders like Bardet-Biedl Syndrome.
A recent study published by Florida Atlantic University found that occasional alcohol use increases the odds of intracranial hemorrhage by double when compared to those who do not drink. Daily alcohol consumption is associated with a 150% increased risk of brain bleeds from falls.
Researchers found that adults prioritize cognitive cues over vocal signals when evaluating a child's intelligence or negative emotions, while vocal cues dominate for assessing happiness or helplessness. This study provides insights into the complex dynamics of caregiver-child interactions and their evolutionary roots.
Researchers at FAU will investigate how microbes respond to climate conditions and develop strategies to enhance soil health in drylands. The project aims to improve understanding of microbial resistance to climate change and discover solutions to reduce soil degradation.
Uncontrolled hypertension is a leading cause of premature death and disability worldwide, with 54% of patients aware but only 21% actively controlled. Effective treatment requires lifestyle changes and medication, as well as regular blood pressure monitoring to adjust doses accordingly.
Research from Florida Atlantic University reveals that training closer to failure can boost muscle growth, while having no clear impact on strength gains. The study analyzed data from 55 studies and suggests that individuals who aim to build muscle should work within a desired range of 0-5 reps short of failure.
Researchers identified 24 categories of police misconduct, including officer failure to report and perjury, sexual-related crimes, and drug offenses. Findings show that a small number of counties account for most of the incidents and relative harm, highlighting disparities in disciplinary outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of School Violence found that over 9-12% of 13-17 year olds in the US engaged in digital self-harm between 2019 and 2021. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to address this growing issue.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University developed a novel approach using wearable sensors and machine learning to assess balance. The method achieved high accuracy and strong correlation with ground truth balance scores, suggesting it is effective and reliable in estimating balance.
A new study published in The Journal of Emergency Medicine found that the incidence of delayed intracranial hemorrhage in geriatric patients on anticoagulants is significantly lower than previously reported rates. This challenges current ED protocols and suggests that routine repeat CT scans may not be necessary for these patients.
Researchers created an evidence-based calculator called Fit2Drive to assess older drivers' cognitive abilities and predict their likelihood of passing an on-road driving test. The algorithm demonstrated a strong predictive accuracy, especially when combining the Mini-Mental State Exam score with Trails B time.
A new method developed by researchers at Florida Atlantic University and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center improves the accuracy of acoustic tracking in marine animals. The method uses a movement model to reconstruct animal tracks, even in regions with uneven receiver coverage.
Drug-involved infant deaths in the US increased by 120% from 10.8% in 2018 to 24.4% in 2022, with the highest proportion occurring in 2021. The most common causes of death were assault, poisoning, and psychostimulants.
Researchers used C. elegans to investigate the underlying mechanisms of embryonal exposure to addictive doses of amphetamine, discovering epigenetic modifications that alter gene and protein expression. This leads to increased susceptibility to amphetamine-induced behaviors in adult animals.
Researchers confirm Atlantic cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) has made a novel migration to Bermuda, using citizen science and morphological/data analysis. The species likely resides in Bermuda for extended periods due to the islands' mild sea temperatures.
A recent study published in the Ochsner Journal found alarming increases in daily vaping device use among US adolescents from 2015 to 2021. The percentage of EVP use increased significantly over this period, with a greater increase among girls than boys and higher rates among whites and Blacks.
Three FAU researchers have received $1M in FDOH grants to develop innovative approaches against Alzheimer's disease. Mare Cudic aims to explore the link between glycosylation and neuroinflammation, while Ruth Tappen develops an online screening tool for older drivers with cognitive decline.
A study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research found that approximately 60% of women with disabilities perceive no risk associated with weekly cannabis use. Women with disabilities are more likely to view cannabis as harmless than those without disabilities, highlighting the need for effective screening and dissuasion strategies.
A new remote sensing method captures details of hurricane Ian's aftermath, identifying 2,427 structures impacted by the storm. The study found that most damaged structures were single-family and multi-unit residences, with a total assessed value of over $200 million.
Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering and Computer Science has been selected to work with NASA on the University Nanosatellite Program. The program provides systems engineering training for students and aims to prepare them to work in the space industry.
Researchers at FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute will survey Sargassum inundation sites using drones and remotely operated vehicles, then conduct aerial images and on-the-ground morphometrics. They aim to test the viability of harvesting Sargassum without harming marine animals.
Researchers reconstructed a Late Holocene-aged subfossil coral death assemblage and compared it to modern reefs in Southeast Florida. The study reveals significant differences in coral composition between the two periods, suggesting that modern reefs may not be able to support range expansions of temperature-sensitive species.
A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found that severe hurricanes can increase the recovery of coral reef sponges by boosting the influx of juveniles and promoting gene flow. Genetic analyses revealed that populations of clonal marine species may benefit from increased frequency and magnitude of hurricanes to maintain gen...
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University suggest that selecting an OTC medication for mild COVID-19 symptoms should be based on the entire benefit-to-risk profile of the patient. They caution against using traditional NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen due to their similar but greater side effect profiles compared to aspirin.
A first-of-its-kind study uses gait analysis to detect subtle impairments in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, suggesting curved path walking as a more sensitive detection method. The novel system employs a non-invasive depth camera to record gait and provides detailed information on functional performance.
A study from Florida Atlantic University identifies key social factors contributing to low breast cancer screening rates in the US. Socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and insurance status are among the top influencers of breast cancer screening behavior.
A study published in BMC Geriatrics uses in-vehicle sensors to detect anomalous driving behavior indicative of cognitive impairment in older adults. The system analyzes driving patterns, facial expressions, and eye movement to identify early signs of dementia.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University conducted a multi-year study to quantify the spatial and temporal abundance of these endangered species. The results showed that both species were abundant along the coast, with no clear seasonal differences or correlations with environmental factors.
Researchers analyzed tissue and fecal samples from 90 stranded marine mammals to study the distribution of toxic elements. The study found that Risso's dolphins and short-finned pilot whales had high concentrations of mercury, cadmium, and lead, while dwarf sperm whales had low levels.
Frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods in the US diet is associated with increased rates of colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal diseases. This may be attributed to additives such as emulsifiers that can disrupt the balance of gut microbiota, leading to disease promotion.
A study by Florida Atlantic University finds that reminiscing with children elicits high-quality speech from parents, similar to book sharing. The activity was found to increase lexical richness and grammatical complexity in parent speech, benefiting children's language growth.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University found that alpha-santalol, a compound in sandalwood oil, decreases cell proliferation and induces apoptosis to prevent prostate cancer development. The study showed a 53% increase in normal tissue area in treated mice, indicating protection against prostate cancer progression.
Researchers developed a novel approach to measuring community personality and found that people in like-minded communities tend to be happier, healthier, and more highly achieving. Communities differ significantly in terms of personality traits, with some counties having high proportions of open-minded or conscientious individuals.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that immigrant bilingual Latina mothers retain cultural practices in play conversations with their children, particularly when speaking in their heritage language. The mothers' behavior changes when switching languages, extending to language use with young children.
Researchers developed a novel AI technique to detect Medicare fraud in big data, using Random Undersampling and supervised feature selection. The method improved classification performance, especially when reducing features, and outperformed models with all available features.
A study at Lake Okeechobee found that a faith-based approach increased ADRD diagnoses from 0.9% to 24.3%, with 55.3% of participants receiving referrals for further testing and treatment.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that work pressures increased burnout and problematic substance use among first responders, while general workplace support strategies reduced the risk. Conversely, COVID-related support strategies such as compensation during quarantine increased problematic substance use.