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San Diego State University


The Charlie Sheen effect on HIV prevention

A new study by San Diego State University found that Charlie Sheen's HIV-positive disclosure corresponded with record highs of domestic news coverage and Google searches for information about HIV and prevention. The study suggests that celebrity disclosures like Sheen's may help generate renewed national attention for HIV and HIV preve...

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateFeb 22, 2016

Florida's monkey river

A study by San Diego State University researchers found that only a small percentage of the Silver River macaque population's diet comes from human-provided food, with most relying on environmental sources. Human-monkey interactions were also largely benign, with concerns about disease transmission appearing to be overblown.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalPrimates·DateFeb 18, 2016

Internet searches reflect vaping's surge

A recent study found that people searching for vaping-related terms are primarily interested in shopping for e-cigarettes rather than health information. This suggests a concerning trend in the growing vaping industry, where marketing and advertising efforts may be targeting consumers without regard for potential health risks.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateFeb 11, 2016

Extinguishing thirdhand smoke

Thirdhand smoke is a persistent and hazardous environmental contaminant left behind by smoking. Researchers at San Diego State University are studying its spread and effects on human health, with a focus on vulnerable populations like young children and those with compromised immune systems. The team has found links between thirdhand s...

Cereal science

Researchers at San Diego State University have discovered a new phenomenon in materials science using puffed rice cereal. They found that highly porous, brittle materials can deform differently depending on compaction velocity, with three distinct deformation patterns emerging at low, medium, and high velocities.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalNature Physics·DateNov 18, 2015

Adults' happiness on the decline

Researchers found that adults over age 30 are not happier than they used to be, but teens and young adults are experiencing higher levels of happiness. The study, led by San Diego State University professor Jean M. Twenge, analyzed data from four nationally representative samples of Americans ages 13 to 96.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateNov 5, 2015

Two mutations are better than one

Biologists at SDSU discovered that fruit flies with two muscle protein mutations have nearly three-quarters of the myosin protein function restored, compared to those with a single mutation. This finding suggests a new view of human heart disease and potential treatments.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateOct 26, 2015

The phage is a lonely hunter

Researchers at San Diego State University discovered that bacteriophages employ subdiffusive motion to find and kill bacteria in mucosal surfaces. This novel hunting strategy is more effective when bacterial concentrations are high, making it a unique approach among predators on Earth.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 19, 2015

A better class of cancer drugs

A chemist at San Diego State University developed a new technique to improve the selectivity of protein kinase inhibitors, which can lead to fewer side effects. By locking in either the right- or left-handed version of an atropisomeric compound, researchers found more selective inhibition of specific kinases.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 11, 2015

Can we restart the heart?

San Diego State University researchers have developed a way to use biotechnology to rejuvenate cardiac progenitor cells, which replicate indefinitely into new heart cells. By overexpressing an enzyme associated with cancer cell growth, they've shown promise in increasing cell proliferation and lifespan in mice, as well as human tissue.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalBiological Chemistry·DateJul 29, 2015

Acceptance of working moms at all-time high

Research from San Diego State University reveals that societal acceptance of working mothers is at an all-time high among millennials. Attitudes towards women's work and family roles have changed significantly since the 1970s, with only 22% of 12th graders in the 2010s believing a preschool-aged child would suffer if their mother worked.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateJun 29, 2015

The least religious generation

A study of 11.2 million US adolescents over 50 years found that millennials have lower religious involvement than previous generations, due to cultural change rather than youth-related factors. This trend is part of a larger cultural context of rising individualism in the US.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 27, 2015

Breaking through the blood-brain barrier

A team of scientists at San Diego State University has identified a molecular process that allows bacteria to bypass the brain's defenses and cause meningitis. The discovery could lead to new treatments for this deadly disease by controlling the expression of a key protein involved in breaking down the blood-brain barrier.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 11, 2015

Changing attitudes about sex

A new study by SDSU psychology professor Jean M. Twenge shows a significant change in attitudes about sex and sexuality among different generations, with Millennials being the most accepting of premarital sex. The study also found that acceptance of same-sex relations has increased substantially over time.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateMay 5, 2015

Unearthing new antivirals

San Diego State University researchers have developed a platform to identify drugs that interrupt viral proliferation, using dengue virus as an example. A novel drug, Thiostrepton, was identified which may someday be used to combat the disease.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·DateApr 14, 2015

Autism's early neuronal 'neighborhood'

A study by San Diego State University scientists found that children with autism have overdeveloped connections between the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, affecting brain function. This early development leads to muscle in on brain real estate for higher cognitive functions.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateApr 8, 2015

A more tolerant America?

A recent study by SDSU psychology professor Jean M. Twenge found that Americans are increasingly tolerant of people with different views and lifestyles, including those who identify as LGBTQ+, atheists, and have differing political beliefs. The study, which analyzed data from the General Social Survey, also found a decrease in toleranc...

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalSocial Forces·DateMar 16, 2015

You are when you eat

A new study by researchers at San Diego State University found that limiting fruit flies' eating hours can prevent aging- and diet-related heart problems. Flies on a time-restricted feeding schedule slept better, didn't gain as much weight and had healthier hearts than those that ate anytime.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalScience·DateMar 12, 2015

Baleen whales hear through their bones

Researchers at San Diego State University used computer simulations to discover that fin whale skulls can capture low-frequency energy and direct it to the ear bones. This bone conduction method is up to 10 times more sensitive than pressure mechanisms for hearing, solving a long-standing mystery about baleen whales' acoustic properties.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 29, 2015

Weather history time machine

A new software program, SOGP 1.0, enables researchers to reconstruct historical global precipitation patterns, providing insights into major weather events like the Dust Bowl. The tool allows for detailed analysis of oceanic and land-based data, improving our understanding of climate change.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalJournal of the Atmospheric Sciences·DateOct 15, 2014

Taking infestation with a grain of salt

A study by SDSU biologist Jeremy Long found that scale insects have a complex effect on cordgrass growth, with salinity being a key factor. In fresh water, infested plants grew taller, but in salt water, the effect was reversed. The research suggests that plants can overcompensate for grazing when not stressed by salinity.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 13, 2014

Depression increasing across the country

A study by San Diego State University professor Jean M. Twenge found that Americans now report more psychosomatic symptoms of depression than their counterparts in the 1980s. These symptoms include trouble sleeping, concentration difficulties, memory problems, feeling overwhelmed, restless sleep, poor appetite, and lack of motivation.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalSocial Indicators Research·DateSep 30, 2014

A link between Jacobsen syndrome and autism

A recent study found that symptoms of autism were unusually common in people with Jacobsen syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 100,000 people. The study suggests that knowing this connection can help families investigate early intervention treatments to support their children.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalGenetics in Medicine·DateSep 17, 2014

Sequencing at sea

A team of researchers from San Diego State University overcame numerous challenges to successfully sequence DNA samples in real-time at sea. Despite equipment failures, space constraints, and shark encounters, they managed to collect and analyze data on the Line Islands, developing new research questions and hypotheses along the way.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalPeerJ·DateAug 19, 2014

Rethinking the reef

A new study by San Diego State University researchers reveals that inhabited coral islands significantly alter their surrounding reef ecosystems, disturbing microbes, corals, algae, and fish. The study found that certain types of bacteria can predict whether a reef is dominated by coral or algae.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 3, 2014

Coral, human cells linked in death

A new study reveals that humans and corals have a shared biomechanical pathway responsible for triggering cellular self-destruction. This finding has important implications for understanding the early evolution of multicellular life, conservation of corals, and development of new drugs to fight diseases like cancer.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 9, 2014

Health and wealth connected?

Researchers analyzed Google search data during the Great Recession, finding that Americans searched more frequently for information on health ailments. The study revealed a significant increase in searches for symptoms like stomach ulcers, headaches, and back pain, with some queries 200 million times higher than expected.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJan 7, 2014

Hashtag health

A social media program by San Diego State University professor Ming-Hsiang Tsou analyzed tweets for keywords 'flu' and 'influenza' to identify outbreaks. The algorithm detected daily correlations between tweet patterns and regional reports, with five cities showing the strongest correlations.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateNov 19, 2013

SDSU launches InforMath collaborative

The InforMath Collaborative brings together university researchers and staff from local art and science museums to design new programs that connect visitors with mathematics in creative ways. The initiative aims to change the way communities perceive mathematics and establish a research center for informal mathematics learning.

A deep brain disorder

A new study from SDSU found that autism affects a broad range of sensory and motor systems, not just social abilities. The research suggests that the diagnostic criteria for autism may fail to consider the full spectrum of problems children with autism experience.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalBrain·DateJun 25, 2013

Study shows growing gap between teens' materialism and desire to work hard

Researchers found a growing gap between materialism and the desire to work hard among recent high school graduates. Materialism peaked in the 80s and 90s with Generation X, but has continued to stay high. In contrast, work ethic declined, with 39% of students admitting they didn't want to work hard in 2005-07 compared to 25% in 1976-78.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMay 1, 2013