Researchers at Tufts University are developing chemical robots called chembots that can enter confined spaces and perform tasks such as landmine detection and biomedical diagnosis. The robots will be soft, squishy, and biodegradable, allowing them to access areas with openings of arbitrary size and shape.
Research by Tufts University biologists reveals that early exposure to atrazine leads to deformed hearts, impaired kidneys, and digestive systems in tadpoles. The study found a significant increase in abnormalities in organs after 48 hours of exposure, with 57% of tadpoles having smaller-than-normal hearts.
A study from Tufts University reveals a digital skills divide among socio-economic groups, affecting parents' ability to access trustworthy child development information. Parents in higher SES groups outperform lower SES counterparts in evaluating search engines and building searches.
Researchers can translate complex concepts into clear 3D images, enabling new insights and recognition of patterns. The VisWall system combines advanced features to produce ultra-high resolution images with the ability to touch and manipulate data.
Tufts researchers are developing techniques to allow computers to respond to users' thoughts of frustration, boredom, or overwhelm. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology is being used to monitor brain blood flow and provide real-time insight into user experiences.
A new study by Tufts University biologists suggests that people with Huntington's disease have better health earlier in life, leading to increased offspring production. The researchers propose that elevated levels of tumor suppressor protein p53 may contribute to these health benefits and improved immune function.
A study by Tufts University physicist Roger Tobin suggests that steroid use can increase home run production by 50-100% through a 4% increase in batted ball speed. Muscle mass boosts also contribute to higher bat and ball speeds, leading to more dramatic effects on home runs.
A new study reveals firefly flash signals are energetically cheap but more conspicuous flashes increase predation risk. This balancing act could generate new firefly species with unique flash codes.
Researchers at Tufts University have identified a specific DNA sequence that increases chromosome breakage and stalls replication, which can lead to cancer. The study's findings suggest that this sequence may be responsible for the fragility in human chromosomes associated with common fragile sites.
The Phoenix Mars Lander Mission aims to study the history of water and search for complex organic molecules in Martian soil. The team, led by Kounaves, will analyze the chemical record left in the soil to decipher the climatic history of Mars, which may hold vital clues on climate change on Earth.
Researchers found that de-stocking livestock and receiving cash helped families feed themselves, maintain core herds, and access vital services during droughts. This approach supported local economies and reduced the need for humanitarian assistance.
A national study from Tufts University reveals that college students know more about politics than pop culture, with half able to name their U.S. senator or representative and nearly two-thirds knowing at least one of their senators.
Researchers found that for people with a specific genetic variant, dietary fat intake was not significantly associated with body mass index (BMI) or risk of obesity. However, consuming monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) like olive oil may help lower the likelihood of obesity in these individuals.
A new study has found that calorie-restricted diets with low or high glycemic loads result in comparable long-term weight loss. Participants lost an average of 8% of their original body weight, regardless of diet type, after one year on a 30% calorie-restricted diet.
Elliott Garber, a third-year veterinary student at Tufts University, has been awarded the prestigious NIH Fogarty Fellowship to conduct research on cryptosporidium and rotavirus in India. The one-year fellowship will provide him with clinical research training experience in a resource-poor setting.
A new study from Tufts University found that high folate status and adequate vitamin B12 levels are associated with better cognitive function in seniors. Low vitamin B12 status was linked to increased cognitive impairment, while high serum folate was more detrimental when combined with low vitamin B12.
Researchers at Tufts University have found that while older adults consume more vitamin K than younger adults, many still do not meet the recommended intake. High phylloquinone intake may be associated with better dietary habits and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, but further research is needed.
Renowned nutrition expert Dr. Irwin Rosenberg emphasizes the need for more research on vitamins and minerals, highlighting the limitations of current evidence. He advocates for standardized regulations on multivitamin products to ensure customer safety and informed marketing.
Researchers at Tufts University are developing soft-bodied robots inspired by biology, which could revolutionize medical diagnosis and treatment, as well as space exploration. The project aims to create devices that can adapt to different environments and perform tasks such as climbing and burrowing.
The trans fat ban in New York City is a step in the right direction, but restaurateurs need to replace partially hydrogenated fat with unsaturated fat. The regulation also requires restaurants to provide calorie information prominently, which may be even more important for addressing obesity and promoting heart health.
Research reveals that nearly one-fourth of people with HIV have metabolic syndrome, characterized by low HDL cholesterol and hypertriglyceridemia. HAART users also show increased risk for components of metabolic syndrome, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to monitor risk factors.
Parke Wilde's analysis reveals that checkoff programs, such as 'Got Milk?' and 'Pork. The other white meat?', promote calorie-heavy foods like bacon cheeseburgers and barbecue pork ribs, which contradict the Dietary Guidelines' emphasis on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.
Researchers found that whites who avoid using race in social interactions tend to exhibit less friendly nonverbal behaviors, such as reduced eye contact. This study suggests that attempting to appear colorblind may have unintended results and actually lead to perceived distance and unfriendliness.
Researchers at Tufts University are developing a new curriculum that combines engineering with basic science to improve student engagement and understanding. The curriculum, funded by the National Science Foundation, will be tested in Boston-area elementary schools over the next five years.
Researchers found a genetic link between APOA5 and heart disease risk, specifically in those consuming high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids. Carriers of the gene variant who ate more than six percent of total calories from omega-6s had increased triglyceride levels and elevated lipoprotein particles.
Physicians can now provide personalized exercise recommendations using the FITT-PRO guidelines, which include frequency, intensity, type, time, and progression. Regular physical activity has been shown to benefit people of all fitness levels, particularly seniors who have limited access to information.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that cola consumption is associated with lower bone mineral density in older women, regardless of age, menopausal status, or diet. This may be due to phosphoric acid's potential to promote calcium loss from bones.
The Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) will apply current research on learning and cognitive psychology to improve teaching and assessment. The program aims to address the gap in supporting students with diverse learning styles and developing critical thinking, creative, social, and practical reasoning skills.
A pilot research study led by Marina Bers explores how virtual environments can promote positive development in post-transplant adolescents and encourage adherence to treatment protocols. The study uses a three-dimensional virtual world called Zora, where children create and control their own identities and interact with others.
Researchers investigated nutritional links between smoking and oral cancer, finding folate levels lower in smokers' blood and cheek cells. Smokers also had altered forms of folate distribution, while antioxidants like carotenoids and vitamin E showed similar trends. More studies are needed to clarify these findings.
Researchers at Tufts University's Feinstein International Center aim to improve animal health, trade, and human livelihoods in Africa. They propose independent certification bodies to ensure safe export trade and fair standards for livestock commodities.
Women with high-glycemic-index diets had greater risk of early AMD, regardless of total carbohydrate intake. Dietary quality, not quantity, may play a crucial role in AMD development.
A study found that women in low-income food-insecure households are 50% more likely to be obese and gain at least 10 pounds in a year compared to those in fully secure households. Researchers propose modifying food assistance programs and nutrition education to address this issue.
A study finds that HIV's impact on severe child malnutrition is limited, and economic growth does not always improve nutrition. The development agenda must tackle child wasting to make a lasting impact on human well-being.
Research highlights how mega-brands, such as processed foods with high sugar and salt content, maintain market share despite health concerns. Supermarkets favor these brands due to their high sales velocity and profit margins, perpetuating unhealthy eating habits.
A study of 200 participants on 29 mock juries found that diverse groups performed better than all-white groups in several measures. Whites in diverse panels cited more case facts and made fewer errors in discussing evidence.
David Walt's HHMI-funded program aims to infuse undergraduate and K-12 education with scientific discovery, tackling real-world problems and promoting interdisciplinary approaches. The initiative seeks to boost the flow of students into scientific research and careers.
The new tool uses natural language processing and historical knowledge to extract entities from historical documents, allowing users to quickly locate specific individuals or locations. The system will enable users to browse lists of entities and their frequencies within individual documents and the collection as a whole.
The world's largest nutrition crises are in West Africa, Niger, Ethiopia, and Malawi, with undernutrition linked to half of premature child deaths. To address malnutrition, intervention programs must target processes, promote breastfeeding, and address micronutrient deficiencies.
Collaborative research in nutritional genomics aims to develop new diagnostic tests, identify nutrient needs, and create more nutritious foods. The international consortium seeks to address health disparities by involving diverse cultures and protecting individual biological information.
A Mediterranean-style diet rich in olive oil, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with metabolic syndrome. The diet's effects are attributed to its action on inflammation and dysfunction of blood vessel cells.
A recent study from Tufts University found that higher whole-grain intake is associated with lower fasting blood sugar levels and a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome in elderly individuals. Consuming three or more servings of whole grains per day may help mitigate insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance.
A Tufts-led study will provide training and support to immigrant workers in Somerville, MA, to improve their health and safety on the job. The program will also launch a non-profit green cleaning cooperative to break down barriers of isolation faced by these workers.
Elderly people in developing countries face significant health challenges, including infectious and non-communicable diseases. Nutritional interventions such as supplementation, food fortification, or development of nutrient-rich crops may help reduce the disease burden.
The percentage of US households classified as food insecure rose from 11.2 percent in 2003 to 11.9 percent in 2004, surpassing the official goal of six percent by 2010. Household food insecurity is influenced by unobserved hardships such as medical emergencies, which can divert income normally used for food.
A recent study found that a genetic variation in the perilipin gene is associated with weight loss resistance, particularly in men and women who have become obese. Carriers of this gene variant lost an average of 20 pounds during a low-calorie diet, while those without it experienced significant weight changes.
Researchers at Tufts University found that a low-glycemic-load diet facilitated greater weight loss in overweight adults with high insulin secretion, but not in those with low insulin levels. The study suggests that measuring insulin secretion may help personalize weight-loss diets.
Men who consumed more folate in their diets showed significantly less decline in verbal fluency skills over three years. High folate levels also protected against declines in spatial copying abilities, a category of cognitive skills distinct from memory tests.
Researchers at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University have found that long-term vitamin E supplementation may delay cataract development. Additionally, higher intakes of riboflavin and thiamin were associated with reduced cataract progression in women. However, the study's findings on dietary fat intake...
Malnutrition and obesity increasingly co-exist worldwide due to dietary changes and decreased physical activity. Chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension are on the rise in low-income groups, exacerbated by food insecurity and under-nutrition.