A new study from North Carolina State University found that several widely available interventions are associated with reduced medical costs and a lower likelihood of emergency room visits or hospitalizations for children with asthma. The interventions include asthma self-management education, flu vaccine, spacer use, and nebulizer use.
Researchers developed a tool to connect streamgage and reservoir data, providing critical information for managing water systems efficiently. The tool accounts for hydrological connections over large watersheds and can be used by power plant operators, reservoir operators, and water resource managers.
A new study from North Carolina State University found that users' desire to help others with mental health problems is a powerful driver for using chatbots. The researchers surveyed 1,114 U.S. adults who had used chatbots for mental health services and discovered that helping others was twice as motivating as helping oneself.
Researchers analyzed Steak-umm's Twitter account and found four key themes: praise, leadership, surprise, and intent to purchase. The study suggests that brands can connect with audiences online by communicating on a human-to-human level and contributing to social change.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have found that vitamin D deficiency during early development can disrupt the metabolic balance between growth and fat accumulation in zebrafish. The study suggests a linkage between vitamin D and metabolic homeostasis, leading to obesity and stunted growth.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a prototype vascular graft that combines synthetic fibers and collagen filaments to aid in regeneration of the coronary artery lining. The design showed improved strength, flexibility, and biological response compared to previous models.
A new study found that the spread of ghost forests across North Carolina's coastline can lead to significant losses in carbon stored in plants and trees above ground. Researchers discovered ways landowners can offset these losses, including tree plantings and proper drainage management.
Researchers used deep learning to identify neural degeneration patterns in C. elegans, detecting physical symptoms more quickly than humans and distinguishing between causes of degeneration.
A new study suggests that positive messages about being Black can decrease symptoms of depression in Black girls, while negative messages increase the risk. The research highlights the importance of avoiding negative stereotypes about Black women and incorporating gender-specific messages into mental health programs.
A new study analyzing 16 years of data on tens of thousands of products found that the adoption of nutrition data on 'front of package' (FOP) labels is associated with improved nutritional content. FOP labeling was linked to a 12.5% reduction in calories, 12.97% reduction in saturated fat, and other improvements in nutrients.
Researchers found layering consistent with volcanic activity on Venus' oldest terrain, tesserae, dating back 750 million years. This finding suggests that these regions were formed through volcanic activity rather than tectonic deformation or continental crust formation.
A new data processing module called attentive normalization improves the performance of deep neural networks by combining feature normalization and feature attention. The hybrid module significantly increases accuracy while using negligible extra computational power, and facilitates better transfer learning between different domains.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a new method for producing polymer gel objects from pure monomer solutions using low-energy, visible light. This process has the potential to overcome current challenges in producing these materials and sheds light on the ways in which low energy photons can combine to produce high ener...
Researchers from North Carolina State University projected that quaking aspen trees will decline in visibility along three scenic national byways in the Colorado Rockies by 2120 under climate warming scenarios. The study found consistent decreases across all three scenarios, with the greatest declines predicted at lower elevations.
A recent study found strong associations between financial holdings of legislators and their votes on key financial legislation, suggesting that many lawmakers voted in ways that benefited their personal finances. Researchers analyzed data from five key pieces of economic legislation between 1999 and 2008, finding that legislators larg...
A team of researchers at North Carolina State University is developing a computational model to ensure accurate and timely distribution of COVID-19 test kits. The model will be used to address key questions related to COVID-19 testing, including optimal allocation plans for hospitals, clinics, and state agencies.
A new study from North Carolina State University has shed light on the earliest stages of Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting brain development and function. The research used human cerebral organoids to monitor the behavior of a key gene, UBE3A, revealing its role in early brain tissue development.
A new study finds that collegiate esports are becoming a two-tiered system with well-funded varsity programs dominated by men and club-level programs supporting gender diversity. Women are being pushed out of esports due to financial constraints and a lack of emphasis on developing players rather than recruitment.
A new study from North Carolina State University finds that racism is associated with increased social consciousness and activism in Black youth. The research found that stress from individual racism is linked to higher levels of perceived inequality, critical agency, and action aimed at changing systems.
The widespread use of neonicotinoid insecticides poses a risk to the environment and biodiversity due to their ability to spread through the food chain. By transmitting toxins through honeydew and other organic matter, these insecticides can harm pollinators, predators, and other organisms beyond their intended targets.
Cyber-physical systems face challenges due to large volumes of data flowing through communication networks, causing routing and queuing delays that degrade system quality. The new algorithms developed by researchers strike a balance between communication sparsity, delay, and performance, ensuring safe and stable operation.
A new study from North Carolina State University and Virginia Commonwealth University explores the extent to which fathers who don't have custody are involved in their children's lives. The research highlights three key factors: self-efficacy, relationships with caregivers, and the father-child relationship.
A North Carolina State University study found that the number of robocalls isn't increasing, and answering a robocall has no effect on receiving additional calls. The researchers also identified and tracked thousands of robocall campaigns using audio analysis.
North Carolina State University researchers have developed a novel ultrasonic imaging device that can optically display an acoustic signal on the surface of a piezoelectric transducer. This approach eliminates electrical signal processing altogether, resulting in reduced costs and increased efficiency. The technology has the potential ...
A new study suggests that climate change may require cultural sites to undergo transformation rather than strict preservation. Experts argue that some landmarks should remain damaged as a 'memory' of the event and serve as a warning for communities.
A new study finds that dedicated clinics for treating influenza can limit disease spread and hospitalizations. By opening these clinics during peak prevalence periods, the number of infections can be reduced by 0.4-1.5% and peak prevalence can be flattened by 0.07-0.32%.
A new study found that solitary outdoor activities, such as fishing or hunting, are key to building a strong connection between children and nature. Social activities outdoors also help cement this bond. Children who engage in these activities enjoy being outside and feel comfortable, leading to mental and physical benefits.
A new study reveals that healthcare professionals in the US are at higher risk of experiencing mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety, due to COVID-19. The study found that on average, healthcare workers reported enough symptoms of depression to be clinically diagnosed.
Researchers from NC State University demonstrate a technique to produce streams of liquid metal at room temperature by applying a low voltage, lowering its surface tension across three orders of magnitude. The study reveals the potential applications for this technique in creating stretchable wires and studying fluid behavior.
A team of researchers at North Carolina State University has identified a microRNA, miR-218-5p, that enhances the molecular pathway responsible for promoting hair follicle growth. The study found that increasing miR-218-5p promoted hair regrowth in mice treated with 3D cultured dermal papilla cells.
Research led by NC State University found that teen docents have a positive effect on visitors' experiences, learning, and information retention at informal learning sites. Children between 9 and 11 years old showed the largest impact, with higher information retention levels when interacting with a youth educator.
Researchers detected novel fluoroethers in 85% of participants' blood, representing 24% of total PFAS, and showed faster excretion rates compared to legacy PFAS. The study aimed to understand the effects of these chemicals on human health.
Research from NC State University reveals how MutL and MutS proteins create an immobile structure to prevent replication errors, reducing errors by a thousand-fold. The complex also prevents mismatched regions from being packed back into the cell during division.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that bed bug infestations alter the indoor microbial diversity in homes, with the presence of Wolbachia bacterium being a key driver. After eliminating bed bugs, home microbiomes gradually shifted toward those of uninfested homes.
Technical interviews in the software engineering sector test performance anxiety rather than coding skills, eliminating well-qualified candidates. Researchers found that half as many participants excelled in private interviews without on-the-spot explanations.
A study of prospective teachers found that they are more likely to interpret the facial expressions of Black boys and girls as being angry, even when they are not. The authors suggest that this 'racialized anger bias' could have significant adverse effects on children in classrooms.
A North Carolina State University expert suggests using a framework that considers three variables: agent intent, deed, and consequence. This approach can lead to more nuanced moral judgments, similar to human moral judgment.
A new study by North Carolina State University researchers found a flexible material made of tiny carbon nanotubes that can heat or cool the wearer on demand. The material has a combination of thermal, electrical, and physical properties that make it an appealing candidate for next-generation smart fabrics.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a computational model that understands how material nanostructure affects conductivity. The goal is to inform the development of new energy storage devices for various electronics.
Researchers created jellyfish-bots that can outswim real-life counterparts and exhibit powerful movement. The new technique uses pre-stressed polymers to make soft robots more efficient, enabling faster speeds and improved performance.
Researchers found that watching positive videos about wolves increased participants' tolerance and willingness to act for wolf conservation. The largest changes in tolerance were seen among older age groups, regardless of political affiliation.
Researchers from North Carolina State University discovered that incorporating Hamiltonian function into neural networks enables them to better predict and respond to chaos. This innovation has significant implications for improved artificial intelligence applications.
A study found that droughts can increase power costs and pollution linked to hydropower losses, even with increased renewable energy. The analysis of the 2012-2016 California drought revealed a moderate impact on electricity prices but also highlighted the importance of flexible generation sources during drought years.
Research finds that corporate tax-planning practices improve with board involvement, resulting in less tax uncertainty and a lower tax burden. Companies with higher risk oversight have 31% lower tax uncertainty and 13.2% lower tax burden compared to those with lowest risk oversight.
Researchers at NC State University developed DORIS, a new approach to DNA data storage that enables users to read or modify files without destroying them. This allows for increased information density and easier scalability.
Scientists identified strong links between ecosystem groups leading to biomagnification of PFAS compounds in the river's aquatic food chain. The study found that PFAS accumulation occurs at each step of the food chain, including in humans who consume contaminated fish.
A new study found that an indoor residual spray made from volcanic glass is effective in controlling mosquitoes carrying malaria. The spray, called Imergard WP, shows mortality rates of over 80% against both wild and susceptible strains of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes.
The researchers developed a technology called Artificial Chemist, which combines AI and robotics to conduct autonomous R&D and manufacturing of commercially desirable materials. It can identify the best material for any suite of measurable properties in 15 minutes or less.
Researchers used silicone dog tags as passive environmental samplers to collect data on everyday chemical exposures in dogs and their owners. They found significant correlations between exposure levels for owners and pets, as well as similarities in urinary biomarkers.
A study from North Carolina State University has identified blood plasma metabolite markers that can aid in ALS diagnosis, rule out environmental neurotoxin involvement, and predict disease progression. Elevated creatine levels and decreased creatinine and methylhistidine were found in ALS patients.