News on measuring and increasing the impact of research. Covers research-impact data, AI publishing workflows, open-access programs, and scholarly metrics.
Researchers found that individual urban trees, such as street trees, can capture and store rainfall at a rate of three times that of clusters or patches. The study used sap flux sensors to monitor transpiration rates in 18 mature red maple trees, revealing significantly higher transpiration rates in single trees compared to cluster trees.
Researchers will assess potential effects on individuals with pre-existing conditions and measure toxin levels in blood, urine, and nasal mucosa. The study aims to understand the long-term health impacts of exposure to harmful algal blooms and develop tools for measuring concentrations of toxins in the environment.
Scientists from UCLA develop a do-it-yourself radiative cooler using household materials, achieving moderate to large temperature drops. The design's reproducibility and low cost make it an attractive standard for research settings.
A two-year follow-up of participants found that those who had both their mitral valve and tricuspid valve repaired at the same time experienced better outcomes, including less progression to moderate or severe leakage. This study provides high-level evidence for surgeons on how to perform tricuspid valve repair in these patients.
Researchers from NTU Singapore found significant increases in pollutant emissions at major international seaports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emissions rose by over 100% in some ports, with container ships and dry bulk carriers experiencing the largest spikes.
Studies using virtual reality environments revealed that individuals with anxiety disorders exhibited increased brain activity in response to perceived threats, even in safe areas. The findings highlight the need for personalized treatments that help patients regain control over their body.
Researchers analyzed a statewide survey in Pennsylvania to identify experiences of autistic individuals and their caregivers across interactions with the criminal justice system. Positive and negative experiences were reported, highlighting an increased risk for male autistic individuals with co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that explicitly addressing falsehoods is more effective in busting misbeliefs than simply stating scientific facts. The study found that two communication campaigns using WhatsApp audio dramas significantly reduced participants' incorrect beliefs about typhoid and malaria.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified a new target for rapid antidepressant drugs using ketamine's role in synaptic effects. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for approximately half of patients whose current antidepressants are ineffective, significantly reducing the risk of suicide.
Scientists at NTU Singapore develop a new electrochromic window material that can block up to 70% of infrared radiation while allowing 90% of visible light to pass through. The material is designed to be energy-efficient and durable, with improved performance compared to existing technologies.
Researchers found that nearly 75% of pregnant women with stretch marks reported moderate to prominent embarrassment, which impacted their social activities, self-esteem, and clothing choices. The study highlights the need for open discussions about stretch marks to normalize them and identify potential mental health issues.
Paxlovid demonstrates significant efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 virus, reducing hospitalization and death risks in adult patients by up to 89%. The treatment's development involved cutting-edge X-ray technology from the Advanced Photon Source.
The RETRACE project aims to define specific territorial policies on Circular Economy through a Systemic Approach. The project will focus on the Covid-19 impacts on regional circular economy practices and new best practices.
Low-risk gamblers in Massachusetts reported the majority of gambling harms, confirming the 'prevention paradox' phenomenon. The study suggests targeting public health efforts towards primary prevention to reduce community harm.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that universities are increasingly using social media metrics to claim impact in research, despite this being a 'naïve and problematic' grasp of the concept. This is linked to institutional isomorphism, where organisations imitate each other's approaches to uncertain goals.
A new study reveals that spring soundscape acoustic diversity and intensity are declining due to changes in bird communities. The research suggests that reductions in natural soundscapes may be the primary mechanism through which population declines impact humans.
The number of wild bees has fallen by 25% since 1990, threatening plant reproduction and food production. Researchers must assume social responsibility to communicate their knowledge and work in transdisciplinary coalitions to halt the decline.
Exposure to artificial light at night impairs crickets' activity cycles, disrupting their nocturnal chirping and potentially affecting reproduction. The study, conducted by researchers at Tel Aviv University and the Open University, highlights the need to reduce artificial light pollution to protect environmental behaviors.
The COVID-19 pandemic has sharply curtailed scientific research globally, with nearly all labs closing in 2020 and many clinical trials halted. The American Heart Association calls for increased federal funding to rebuild the research enterprise, targeting early career investigators, women, and underrepresented groups.
A team of Lehigh University undergraduates has won the National Institutes of Health's Healthcare Technologies for Low-Resource Settings Prize for developing a diagnostic device to detect sickle cell disease in infants. The $15,000 prize will support further development and testing of the device, which could improve healthcare outcomes...
Researchers discovered that pancreatic injury leads to the formation of new cell types that can give rise to cancerous mutations. The study provides a valuable resource for understanding the processes behind pancreatic cancer and potential therapeutic targets.
The study aims to identify strategies that nursing homes used to overcome challenges related to the pandemic and develop recommendations for improving quality of care and patient health outcomes. By analyzing more than 500 Missouri nursing homes, researchers hope to find patterns for what went well or what can be improved.
Ancestral puebloans in Chaco Canyon thrived for over a millennium through indigenous agriculture and water irrigation, but their activities led to environmental degradation. The researchers found significant changes in the local woodlands beginning around 600 B.C., contributing to severe erosion and cropland deterioration.
A recent Johns Hopkins Medicine-led study suggests that statin use is not beneficial for reducing COVID-19 mortality or severity. Instead, patients taking statins had an increased risk of developing a more severe form of the disease. The researchers found no significant impact on mortality rates.
The Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System has been funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research since 1990. The grant enables researchers to investigate new approaches to improving employment outcomes after spinal cord injury.
Researchers at Rutgers University have linked Fragile X and SHANK3 deletion syndrome, both associated with autism and health problems, to walking patterns. The study used motion-sensored sneakers to detect gait problems 15-20 years before clinical diagnosis, offering a potential framework for early intervention.
A new model by a SwRI-led team applies geologic evidence to understand how oxygen levels in the Earth's atmosphere evolved. The results indicate that large impacts may have contributed to the scarcity of oxygen, delaying its oxidation.
The 39th Annual Meeting of The Obesity Society will showcase innovative research results on obesity prevention and treatment. Over 500 oral and poster abstracts will be presented, highlighting the impact of diet, sleep, and lifestyle factors on weight loss.
A new study from the University of Southampton demonstrates a safe method to clean and reuse facemask respirators using advanced low-temperature plasma technology. This technique can remove 99.99% of coronavirus while maintaining filter performance, reducing plastic waste by approximately 70%.
A study of 2,329 academic journals found a significant gender gap in manuscript submissions during the first COVID-19 wave, with women submitting fewer papers than men, especially in health and medicine.
A new research center, C2DREAM, will study the impact of structural and interpersonal racism on health inequities for BIPOC communities. The program aims to develop novel cardiovascular health interventions for rural and urban BIPOC communities.
Research at RMIT University uses Getty's top lists of editorial pictures to analyze daily investor sentiment, predicting stock market returns based on global mood. The algorithm produces a daily score from 10 popular photos, providing a quick snapshot of investment mood across developed and emerging economies.
International panel develops EPIFORGE guidelines to standardize reporting of epidemic prediction research, aiming to improve manuscript quality and impact. The checklist outlines 19 recommended items, including clear data sources and public availability of computer code.
A new study aims to identify effective remote support services for domestic violence and abuse survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research will assess existing interventions and rank them to find the most cost-effective solutions, benefiting over one million women in the UK.
A new study found that brief exposure to an infographic about the scientific process can strengthen people's trust in science and reduce beliefs in COVID-19 misinformation. The study, led by Indiana University, involved 1,017 adults and showed a small increase in trust after just 60 seconds of infographic exposure.
A woman-owned spinout company, Chosen Diagnostics Inc, has received a $2.1M NIH grant to develop and commercialize a noninvasive diagnostic biomarker test for necrotizing enterocolitis. The test, called NECDetect, identifies 93% true positives and 95% true negatives in diagnosing the disease.
Researchers warn that global warming could make the Amazon barren, the Midwest tropical, and India too hot to live in by 2500. Climate models project a future where vegetation and crop-growing areas shift towards the poles, leading to drastic changes and potential human fatalities.
Researchers analysed publicly available comments in response to nature video content on Facebook during the UK's first national Covid-19 lockdown. The study found that engaging with this virtual nature content helped people cope with stress and mental fatigue, and increased feelings of connectedness to nature and others.
The StEER Network's post-event reconnaissance helped assess building damage from Hurricane Michael, revealing widespread wind- and surge-induced damage. The dataset has been used to develop data-driven fragilities, train machine learning applications, and inform policy and practice improvements for coastal communities.
A new study found that scientists who present their own work in science videos are perceived as having more expertise and being more trustworthy than third-party presenters. The study also showed that first-person accounts can humanize the science and make it more relatable to a wider audience.
A simple form of talking therapy, delivered by trained support workers over the telephone, reduced loneliness in older people left isolated during the pandemic. The intervention was found to improve mental health and reduce rates of loneliness substantially in the first three months.
A study by Portland State University found that household car ownership correlates with better self-reported health, while bus or paratransit use is associated with poorer health. The researchers also discovered that having fewer vehicles per individual in the household increases the likelihood of reporting poor physical health.
The CARE Consortium has received $42.65 million in new funding to follow athletes for up to 10 years after concussive injury, examining the impacts of head injuries on brain health. The study aims to validate advanced biomarkers and identify neurobiological pathways contributing to long-term negative consequences.
Dr. Mohammad Al Hashmi's research focuses on reducing energy consumption in residential buildings in hot and arid climates using renewable energy systems such as solar and wind power. His framework combines building interventions and clean energy approaches to minimize environmental impact.
A Michigan-based study found a dramatic drop in vaccinations across the lifespan during the early pandemic, but a recent rebound has been noted. The researchers emphasize the importance of continued vaccinations to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases like measles.
Researchers identified a pattern that links the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) proteins with a reduction of serotonin, which may help predict who will develop late-life depression. The study found that individuals expressing this pattern had more severe depressive symptoms.
Researchers at WVU will explore how a specific enzyme protects the brain from stroke effects and aging. Their findings may indicate a potential target for medications improving brain blood vessel function after a stroke.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 lockdowns led to significant delays in cancer surgery, resulting in potentially more cancer deaths. Patients in lower income countries and those with advanced disease were most affected, with one in seven missing their scheduled operation.
The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a 'huge' impact on sexual abuse survivors going through the criminal justice system, with support services reporting referral increases of up to 366%. Services have reported supporting clients for longer periods due to delays in the justice system.
A new USC study reveals that gaps in income, education, and access to care contribute to poorer outcomes for people of color with multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. The review shows significant inequities in accessing healthcare, leading to diagnostic delays and underuse of services.
The UTHealth-CPRIT Innovation in Cancer Prevention Research Training Program aims to increase cancer prevention scientists from underrepresented minority groups. The program provides a systematic method to teach career skills, problem-solving skills, team science, and transdisciplinary communication.
A recent study by Shilpa Madan found that the salience of choice fuels independence and makes individuals more self-interested. This can lead to a range of positive consequences, including increased tolerance for harassment and discrimination, but also negative consequences for collective action.
A Rutgers University study found that teenagers whose fathers are behind on paying child support suffer from more behavioral problems than those with other types of parental debt. Child support debt can lead to negative consequences for adolescent outcomes, including increased conflict and reduced physical and mental health.
A new study at Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center is using rapid autopsies to gather biological samples after death to better understand how cancer cells overcome different treatments. This approach has already led to novel findings about drug resistance mechanisms, including the recent approval of a targeted therapy f...
International research reveals that children will face a disproportionate increase in lifetime extreme event exposure due to climate change. The study, led by Prof. Wim Thiery of VUB, quantifies the impact of climate change on children born between 1960 and 2020, showing they will experience more heatwaves, droughts, crop failures, riv...
A new study by the University of Plymouth found that maritime ropes can release millions of microplastic fragments into the ocean annually. The research estimated that the UK fishing fleet alone could be releasing between 326 million to 17 billion microplastic pieces into the ocean every year.
Researchers found that dance impacts health in key areas, including sense of identity, belonging, and self-worth. They call for more collaboration with dancers and co-research with participants to better capture the benefits of dance on its own terms.
A Korean research team has observed a long-lasting non-equilibrium phase coexistence in supercritical fluids, lasting several hours. The phenomenon is explained by a mass transport model at the phase coexistence interface, where nano-sized clusters facilitate transport.
Lehigh University will lead a five-year, $25 million research collaboration to develop new semiconductor materials and scalable manufacturing processes for advanced optoelectronic devices. The initiative aims to transform fields like information technology with quantum technologies.
A new tool, the Epsilon Index, has been developed to assess research performance more fairly, taking into account differences in discipline, gender, and career stage. The index provides a fairer comparison of researchers across various fields, helping to reduce systemic biases.