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University of Missouri-Columbia


A buzz-worthy surprise during the total solar eclipse

During the 2017 total solar eclipse, researchers captured a surprising phenomenon: bees stopped buzzing as Earth fell into complete darkness. The study, led by Candace Galen at the University of Missouri, found that bees did not use the unusual darkness as a cue for night and instead flew during periods of reduced light.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalAnnals of the Entomological Society of America·DateNov 8, 2018

Mizzou program significantly reduces delay in autism diagnosis

A new study shows that a University of Missouri program significantly reduces diagnostic wait times for young children at highest risk for autism. The ECHO Autism program provides hands-on training, virtual discussions and practice to help primary care providers diagnose autism in young children, saving families an average of 172.7 mil...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateAug 15, 2018

New method makes weather forecasts right as rain

Researchers from the University of Missouri developed a system that improves rainfall forecast accuracy by considering evaporation. This method uses dual-polarization radar to track raindrops and a model assessing atmospheric humidity, resulting in more accurate forecasts for locations 30 miles or more from National Weather Service radar.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Hydrology·DateJun 15, 2018

Link found between neurotransmitter imbalance, brain connectivity in those with autism

A study at the University of Missouri-Columbia has identified a link between neurotransmitter imbalance and brain connectivity in individuals with autism. The research found that those with low functional connectivity tended to have impaired listening comprehension and reduced balance of excitatory to inhibitory neurotransmitter levels.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateJun 6, 2018

Putting lungs under less stress

Researchers have identified a new less-invasive treatment option for patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), using ultra-protective mechanical ventilation. This approach may mitigate further lung injury and improve outcomes without requiring extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of the Intensive Care Society·DateJun 5, 2018

Federal home visiting program can be improved to better meet needs of families

The MIECHV program has established six benchmarks for organizations to demonstrate improvement, but research suggests only three constructs - preterm birth, breastfeeding, and well-child visits - are supported by evidence-based research. The review identifies 16 other non-mandated constructs that have evidence of home visiting improvin...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalPublic Health Reports·DateMay 31, 2018

Students taught by highly qualified teachers more likely to obtain bachelor's degree

A study by Se Woong Lee found that students taught by successive teachers with expertise in the subject they're learning are more likely to succeed both short-term and long-term. This suggests that schools can increase student success by prioritizing teacher qualifications and collaboration among educators.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·DateMay 22, 2018

Opening a new door to immunity

Researchers uncover clue to disease process development by identifying novel way to control innate immune response, which may translate to treatments for conditions such as atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, and heart failure. Animal studies support finding, showing mice with mutated sNASP proteins are more susceptible to septic infection.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 11, 2018

Analyzing insect performance

A meta-analysis of 44 studies on neonicotinoid insecticides' effects on arthropod performance found similar negative impacts on abundance, behavior, condition, reproductive success, and survival. The research suggests that these insecticides affect not only pollinators but also detritivores and predators.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEcological Applications·DateApr 25, 2018

Key workflow interruptions in emergency departments identified

A study from the University of Missouri found that electronic medical record documentation and direct patient care are the most common workflow interruptions in emergency departments, leading to increased workloads and decreased efficiency. The research suggests that changes in workflow could improve patient care and nurse productivity.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalInternational Journal of Human-Computer Studies·DateApr 18, 2018