A new study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found no correlation between aggressive behavior in parents and their children. However, researchers discovered a strong link between mothers' academic performance and their children's school performance.
Using a mathematical approach similar to that used for measuring seismic activity, researchers have pinpointed characteristics of abnormal cardiac activity in pigs. The study's findings may lead to the development of better antiarrhythmic drugs and more intelligent pacemakers.
A new study led by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill confirms the safety of digoxin, a commonly prescribed medicine for heart failure. The study found that taking digoxin at low doses and monitoring blood concentrations can significantly reduce toxicity risk.
A new study reveals that glaciers prompted volcanic eruptions after they retreated north over the past 800,000 years. The research found that volcanoes were subdued when glaciers were present and became active when they retreated, suggesting a possible connection between climate change and volcanic activity.
A new study finds that digital mammography provides better information for diagnoses, allowing radiologists to use multiple views of images. The technology has the potential to lead to earlier tumor detection and treatment, reducing breast cancer mortality rates.
University of North Carolina researchers have successfully used an antibiotic-like compound to externally regulate a gene implanted in the brain using AAV technology. This breakthrough suggests that gene therapy may eventually be feasible for human brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown light-sensitive pigment in the eye, skin, and brain that regulates mammals' internal clocks. This discovery has significant implications for treating depression and reducing accidents during night work shifts, as it allows for better synchronization with daily cycles.
A new UNC-CH study found that white children and those from low-income families take up smoking earlier, with 42% of third-graders experimenting with cigarettes by eighth grade. The research highlights the need for early smoking prevention classes and cessation programs in elementary and middle schools.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study reveals foreign-trained doctors are crucial in addressing rural physician shortages. States like Florida, West Virginia, North Dakota, and Illinois have the highest rate of international medical graduates practicing in rural areas, often in exchange for staying in the US.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill link severe premenstrual syndrome to childhood trauma, finding 50-60% of women with PMDD have histories of abuse. The study also reveals physiological abnormalities in the stress response system of women with PMDD.
Researchers found a strong association between leg length discrepancies of two centimeters or more and an increased risk of knee arthritis by up to 70 percent. Simple adjustments, such as special shoes or exercises, could help prevent or slow progression of osteoarthritis in millions of people.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study suggests that consuming vitamin E and other antioxidants may help reduce the risk of knee arthritis. Middle-aged and older individuals who follow a diet rich in these compounds, such as green vegetables and tomatoes, may experience a 30% lower risk of developing osteoarthritis.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scientists have discovered that over-expressing a special gene in tobacco plants can manipulate the size of individual cells, resulting in smaller plant crops more resistant to dry or wet conditions. This breakthrough could lead to controlled wood cell sizes for various applications.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that domestic violence preceded at least two-thirds of the cases, with black women and young women being disproportionately affected. The research also showed that alcohol regularly contributed to the deaths, and guns were involved in 54% of the homicides.
Scientists at UNC-CH discovered that Groucho proteins and Tcf interact to repress internal signaling activity, determining which genes are turned on. This finding could help explain cancer development and contribute to therapies to reverse deadly growth.
Researchers at UNC-CH found that Pamidronate is highly effective in partially reversing bone loss caused by immuno-suppressant drugs after lung transplants. Patients treated with the drug experienced a 10% reversal of bone loss, and showed significant increases in femur and spine mineral densities.
A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that prohibiting smoking in restaurants had no adverse economic effect on the industry. The research analyzed data from counties with strict smoking ordinances and compared it to similar counties without such laws, revealing no significant changes in restaurant sales.
A UNC-CH study reveals that premature infants are resuscitated primarily based on parents' preferences and medical uncertainty, rather than solely on the prognosis of survival. The study found that resuscitation generally postpones death by only a few days but does not contribute substantially to over-treatment.
A comprehensive study of 195 short children found a strong link between shortness and behavioral adjustment problems. Growth hormone treatments improved behavior scores and conduct in many cases, with significant improvements in anxiety, depression, and attention deficit disorders.
A new study reveals that religious grandparents develop and maintain stronger relationships with their grandchildren compared to non-religious grandparents. The research found that religious observance is associated with greater involvement in family and social ties, which may be a key factor in grandparent-grandchild relationships.
A new study found that children retain more simulated air pollution per unit of lung surface area than adults, suggesting they are more susceptible to illnesses caused by polluted air. Researchers will extend their studies to exercising volunteers to further understand the effects of particulate air pollution on children.
A new poll by UNC-CH found that Southerners are dissatisfied with the amount of work required in schools and believe students need more discipline. The survey also showed a decline in adults' confidence that children today are being educated better than their peers.
Researchers discovered ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne infection, shows increased fluid in lungs on chest X-rays, helping doctors diagnose it earlier and potentially treat it more effectively. The illness can be mild but also rapidly fatal, and early detection is crucial.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scientists have found that the BRCA1 gene is necessary for transcription-coupled repair of certain types of DNA damage, which can lead to breast and ovarian cancer. The study provides direct evidence of the gene's role in DNA repair and may help develop new treatments for cancer.
A study found that eight weeks of health education classes and vigorous exercise can reduce children's risk of developing heart disease during adulthood. The program resulted in significant reductions in cholesterol levels, systolic blood pressure, body fat, and increased health knowledge.
Researchers discovered that cooling papers to 10 degrees Celsius reduces decomposition rates by six-fold, making it an effective method for preserving documents. This technique could extend the shelf life of valuable books and papers by hundreds of years, potentially saving them from degradation.
A new international study analyzed fat samples from 642 European women, finding no protective effect of oleic acid on breast cancer risk. Higher weight and family history were strong associations with breast cancer among participants.
Adolescents born to US-born parents show poorer health and riskier behavior compared to foreign-born youth. Foreign-born teens have better physical health and are less likely to engage in delinquent or violent acts.
A new laboratory tool has been developed by UNC-CH researchers to study the interaction between normal and abnormal heart cells during heart attacks. The tool, which simulates the conditions of a heart attack, aims to reduce death rates from sudden cardiac deaths in the US.
A review of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforcement strategies concludes that current efforts are too slow and uncertain, leading to inadequate protection for workers. The authors suggest innovations such as worker education programs and devolving enforcement powers could improve safety further.
A new study at UNC-CH aims to help low-income black mothers cope with HIV by providing home visits, counseling, and teaching. The program has shown promising results in improving women's understanding of the disease and their mental health.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found six young football players died in the 1997 season as a direct result of injuries suffered on the field. The study also revealed seven cases of permanent paralysis from neck injuries and permanently disabling head injuries.
Scientists have discovered teeming microbe colonies beneath Antarctic ice that use sunlight to sustain life when the South Pole tilts towards the sun. The researchers found diverse microorganisms, including blue-green algae and bacteria, supported by photosynthesis and atmospheric nitrogen fixation.
A study by UNC-CH scientists found elevated DDE levels in Aberdeen residents' blood, but no major clinical effects were observed. Younger residents showed a two-to-three-fold increased risk of herpes zoster, indicating immune system suppression.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that St. John's Wort can cut alcohol consumption in laboratory animals by up to 50 percent. The herb's active ingredient, hypericin, may prove effective in the fight against alcoholism without causing side effects.
Researchers have discovered a new light-sensitive pigment called cryptochrome, which controls the circadian rhythm in mammals, regulating bodily functions such as body temperature and blood pressure. The discovery may lead to better treatment for depression and reduce accidents during late-night shifts.
A new study by UNC-CH researchers found that adolescent obesity rates among second- and third-generation immigrants to the US have increased significantly. The study, based on a nationally representative sample of 13,783 adolescents, suggests that less physical activity and a higher-fat diet are likely responsible for this trend.
Researchers create ultra-sensitive assay to detect DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation and cancer-causing chemicals, showing potential for early detection and treatment of genetic injuries. The new technique is 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than existing methods.
A new program aims to prevent smoking among children by providing interactive educational materials to parents of third-graders. The program has shown promising results in reducing the risk of smoking among young children.
Scientists at UNC Chapel Hill and Bern University have developed a new RNA repair technique to block defective processing in cells' messenger RNAs. This method has shown promising results in increasing healthy protein production and could potentially treat or even cure beta thalassemia.
A study of 6,100 doctors found that female physicians experience higher levels of frustration and burnout due to limited time and increased workload. The researchers highlight the need for better work-life balance and more support for women in medicine.
Researchers developed a new technique using combinatorial chemistry to screen thousands of catalysts simultaneously, reducing time by fractions. The method enables potential improvements in fuel emission controls, solar energy harvesting, drug preparation, and converting natural resources into useful products.
The SOAR telescope, a state-of-the-art facility in Chile, will enable researchers to study the universe like never before. It will collect 3,400 times more light than the original telescope, allowing for observations of dimmer objects and stars at greater distances.
The UNC-CH physics and astronomy department has launched a new program called SOLAR, which allows North Carolina public school teachers and students to use and remotely control the Morehead Observatory telescope. The program offers students access to real scientific data and the opportunity to capture their own images of the universe.
According to a new survey by the National Center for Early Development and Learning, nearly half of US teachers are concerned about children's ability to follow directions and academic skills when entering kindergarten. The study also found that concerns were less frequent in suburban and rural schools, as well as among less experience...
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that children's conceptions of germs and disease are often influenced by television advertisements and media portrayals. The study compared children's and adults' knowledge on the subject, revealing discrepancies between medical facts and participants' understanding.
A new study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that Russian women and children are not consuming enough iron in their diets. The study, which analyzed data from over 3,000 households, revealed that more than half of the iron consumed is lost due to interactions with other foods.
Researchers discovered that certain male songbirds like stripe-backed wrens learn calls only from their fathers, while females exclusively learn from their mothers. This unique vocal instruction system reflects sex and kinship in birds' communication, providing insights into avian behavior and social dynamics.
A 65 million-year-old meteorite impact caused massive landslides and subsidence along the Yucatán Peninsula's continental margin. Giant submarine avalanches then swept across the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, displacing billions of gallons of water.
Researchers from UNC Highway Safety Research Center found that only 2.1% of boaters tested showed blood alcohol above 0.08%, with 18% reporting consumption and 14% having elevated levels. The study aims to determine alcohol's role in boating fatalities and injuries.