News on measuring and increasing the impact of research. Covers research-impact data, AI publishing workflows, open-access programs, and scholarly metrics.
The partnership aims to reduce environmental impact while developing innovative solutions for manufacturing petrochemical products. Researchers from ExxonMobil will collaborate with UH faculty and students on various projects, including studying catalysis and producing specialty chemicals.
A new study found that postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy and lower urinary tract problems experience reduced sexual activity due to painful sex. Fear of pain during sex is a common reason for avoiding intimacy.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences awards LSU Health a $1.4 million grant to prepare individuals from underrepresented backgrounds for PhDs in biomedical sciences. The program aims to enhance the diversity of the biomedical research workforce and provide hands-on exposure to medical research.
A new independent study confirms that 73% of ERC projects have made breakthroughs or major scientific advances. The European Research Council's blue sky research is achieving its goals of funding high-risk/high-gain projects and interdisciplinary frontier research.
A review of high-quality observational studies found that drinking up to four units a week during pregnancy was associated with an 8% higher risk of having a small baby. The researchers conclude that the evidence is sparse, and guidance should advise abstention as a precautionary principle.
A new study by UNH researchers reveals that students who experience sexual violence on campus suffer from lower academic efficacy, higher stress, and decreased institutional commitment. The study, which surveyed over 6,400 students, sheds light on the often-overlooked impact of sexual violence on college academics.
Researchers date skeleton found in Chan Hol cave near Tulum, Mexico to ~13k BP, suggesting human settlement in the Americas occurred during late Pleistocene. The finding provides one of oldest examples of a human settler in the region.
A new study finds that acknowledging and understanding the role of mythical creatures in local cultures can have a positive impact on conservation. In Madagascar, for example, spiritual beliefs surrounding magical animals are linked to local taboos that protect endangered species like the radiated tortoise.
Researchers found progressive differences between the brains of athletes in non-contact, contact, and collision sports, including reduced communication between brain areas. The study suggests that participation in contact sports may affect the brain, but does not reflect significantly impaired day-to-day functioning.
A team of UK researchers investigated the impact of water droplets on spherical soft surfaces, revealing that surface curvature enhances retraction of impacted drops. The effects of impact parameters, including diameter ratios and polymer elastic modulus, were also studied.
Researchers use ancient pottery to study Iroquoian social networks and find that the Jefferson County Iroquoians played a key role as brokers between Haudenosaunee and Wendat groups. This discovery sheds new light on the importance of this lesser-known population in upstate New York.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge found that celebrity Twitter accounts with over 10 million followers exhibit bot-like behavior, retweeting at similar rates as automated accounts. In contrast, smaller accounts are more likely to be bots, which spend less time engaging with human content.
A study found that total weed density was greatest when soil was tilled early in the growing season, while late-season tillage resulted in fewer weeds. This suggests that adjusting tillage timing can improve weed management and crop yields.
A study of 100 most-cited neuroscience articles reveals five top research topics: neurological disorders, prefrontal cortex, brain connectivity, brain mapping, and methodology studies. The study allows scientists to quickly identify impactful research in neuroscience.
Researchers found that orangutans prefer areas with strong branches to move laterally through the forest canopy, explaining their preference for enclosed canopy. The study's findings contribute to a larger Bornean biodiversity mapping mission and inform conservation efforts in human-impacted forests.
A new £5 million research partnership aims to create super-resilient, data-driven networks that can adapt to changing demands. The partnership will develop an 'autonomic' network with minimal human intervention, leading to improved customer experiences and greater agility for businesses.
A recent study by Medica Research Institute found that provider consolidation in the Minneapolis-St Paul market led to significant increases in physician prices. The study analyzed commercial claims data from 2006-2011 and found average physician prices to be 32-47% higher four years after the acquisitions.
Researchers found that multiparous female mice had increased metabolic risk but showed surprising resistance to ischemic brain injury and improved behavioral recovery after stroke. They exhibited less brain inflammation, smaller injuries, and enhanced angiogenesis compared to non-reproducing females.
A new study found that the differences between male and female mice impact on biomedical research, with sex having an effect in over half of studies. The results highlight the need to consider sex in future animal studies and clinical trials, as ignoring this difference can lead to missed scientific information.
A University of Waterloo study found that gay men and lesbians who feel socially supported are more certain about their retirement prospects. The research, which analyzed data from over 6,000 working Canadians aged 45 to 70, showed that those who felt isolated or marginalized were less secure in their retirement plans.
New research from the University of Waterloo found that people who can sustain focus in daily life are more likely to report maintaining passion in their long-term objectives. The study suggests that mindfulness training exercises like meditation may help mitigate mind-wandering habits and achieve goals.
Researchers have found a crystallized form of DDT that is more effective against insects than the existing one, potentially leading to the development of a safer pesticide. The new DDT crystal form can be administered in smaller amounts while reducing environmental impact.
Researchers from the Blue Brain Project used algebraic topology to discover structures in the brain with up to eleven dimensions. These high-dimensional structures and spaces arise when a group of neurons forms a clique, generating precise geometric objects that can never be produced by chance.
Spanish universities have shown improved scientific productivity despite limited resources, with a significant increase in researchers' publications and patents. International collaboration has also increased, with the US being the top partner.
A study of 97 youth football players aged 9-13 found they experienced a total of 40,538 head impacts during four seasons. The number of impacts differed significantly depending on the player's age/weight level, suggesting all athletes should not be evaluated as one group when assessing head impact exposure and injury risk.
Researchers analyzed 15 studies to investigate the relationship between sexting and sexual behavior. They found a weak statistical correlation, but couldn't determine if sexting influenced behavior. A common definition of sexting is lacking, highlighting the need for better study design.
A new study found that village savings groups led to positive business outcomes, increased business profits by 24%, and boosted women's empowerment. However, longer-term tracking is needed to determine the sustainability of these impacts.
CIRC researcher Keith Larson will lead a citizen science project in Abisko, Sweden, where the public can help collect valuable climate change data and learn about climate research methods. The project aims to replicate a study from 1917-1919 and modernize it with new climate stations and smartphone app.
A new life-cycle assessment, LUCI-LCA, integrates regional land composition for more detailed predictions. The study found that bio-plastic products from different sources had significantly different environmental impacts, highlighting the need for companies and policymakers to adopt this approach.
A study of neuroscience papers from 2006-2015 reveals the most productive journals and contributing countries. Psychology and behavioral sciences have become popular research areas, while China's involvement has increased significantly, jumping from 11th to 2nd place in 2015.
A study found that sustained smoking abstinence with e-cigarettes was more likely in countries with fewer restrictions on their sale and use. In the US and UK, 73% of EC users reported sustained cigarette abstinence, compared to 32% in Canada and Australia.
Research suggests that pure maple syrup's inulin content can support a healthy gut microbiome, which is linked to reduced chronic inflammation. The discovery of additional compounds with antioxidant properties further supports the health benefits of pure maple syrup.
Researchers found that adding a soft foam layer to shoulder pads reduces the severity of shoulder-to-head impacts, resulting in a 25% decrease in linear acceleration and 12% reduction in rotational velocity. This innovation has potential to prevent brain injuries in ice hockey.
Researchers from Durham University found that only a quarter of the UK's largest shale gas reserve might be recoverable due to limited space for well development. To minimize land disruption and environmental impact, they recommend locating wells as far apart as possible and operating on a multi-well basis.
The University of Texas at Arlington is conducting a fair housing assessment study across the North Texas region, involving 22 cities and housing authorities. The goal is to identify barriers to fair housing and promote equitable access to housing services.
A study investigating laboratory rats' behavioral needs has won the 2016 International 3Rs Prize. The research, led by Drs Joanna Makowska and Daniel Weary, found that providing rats with simple and natural behaviors like burrowing and standing upright improves their welfare.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a molecule that works to restore balance to pathways responsible for chronic and acute heart failure. The new drug, developed through genetic mapping technology, has shown safety and efficacy in phase II clinical trials.
A new study analyzing online public responses to media reporting found that frequent business travelers tend to either 'flourish' or 'flounder' in their careers. The research highlights the need for organizations to develop policies to protect employees from the negative impacts of business travel.
Research by Lehigh University finds that Chinese firms have more success than others due to coordinated efforts building their legitimacy. Companies should adapt to local environments through social media and language, and consider long-term commitments to avoid reputation damage.
Research suggests that the unique shape of birds' eggs serves to protect against impacts and contamination rather than rolling off cliff ledges. The study challenges previous explanations for the Common Guillemot's elongated egg shape.
A study found that customers perceive individual service failures differently than group failures, with the latter causing greater annoyance. Service companies can mitigate this effect by taking measures such as dividing groups of customers in critical situations.
The UK Academy of Medical Sciences launches a campaign to promote work-life balance in medical research, highlighting the importance of outside interests on creativity and resilience. The #MedSciLife initiative features personal stories and advice from prominent researchers on balancing work and life.
A new study predicts that climate change will convert much of temperate grasslands and deserts to subtropical vegetation, leading to changes in precipitation and soil moisture. This shift could have significant impacts on ecological services and human populations, particularly for agriculture and ecosystems.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a new 'early warning system' that can forecast sovereign debt crises more accurately than existing systems. The system takes into account differences between developed and developing countries, providing policymakers with valuable insights to mitigate damage associated with an ...
A national meta-analysis by University of Texas at Arlington researcher Shima Hamidi found that single-family property values near transit stations rise only 2.3 percent, while multi-family and commercial properties can see up to 18 percent increase in value.
A new study reveals that researchers publishing in high-impact factor journals tend to have distinct profiles, including living in a country with an official English language, dedicating more time to research, and securing funding. Despite this, the majority prefer being leaders rather than financially compensated.
Researchers discovered wolves kill less often in the presence of brown bears due to competition for food. The consistency of results between two continents suggests that brown bears may be reducing wolf kill rates, but the reasons behind this phenomenon are still unclear.
New research suggests that LED street lighting can have a major impact on wildlife, but that adjusting the lighting schedule and dimming it by 50% can reduce its effects. The study found that changing the way we light at night could have profound consequences for species such as predatory spiders and beetles.
A new UCLA-led study found that people's political affiliations significantly impact their perception of credible information about potential hazards. Conservatives were more likely to find false statements about threats believable than liberals. The research suggests that liberals are less likely to dismiss warnings, while conservativ...
A new study projects a 10-13% decrease in global mild days by the end of the century due to climate warming. Tropical regions are expected to lose up to 50 fewer days of mild weather, while mid-latitudes will gain more mild days.
A new study found that only performance-related pay had a positive impact on employee attitudes such as job satisfaction and commitment. However, profit-related pay and employee share-ownership had mixed effects, with negative impacts on job satisfaction and no significant effects on commitment and trust in management.
A comprehensive review of post-disaster mental health issues found high rates of PTSD and depression in Japan earthquake survivors. The study highlights specific risk factors, such as resettlement and small social networks, and emphasizes the need for long-term support.
Two studies examine NIH funding to US dental institutions between 2005-2014, revealing a 70% investment by NIDCR, with funding for oral cavity cancer research decreasing after 2009. A perspective piece highlights the need for increased focus on rectifying the gap in oral health research funding.
Researchers found that managers across countries and cultures respond similarly to certain situations, challenging traditional views of cultural influences on management styles. The study's findings have implications for global management training and evaluation.
A new study found that smoking intensity and duration are crucial factors in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Researchers discovered that smokers with longer exposure to cigarettes face a higher relative risk of heart disease compared to those who smoke the same number of cigarettes over a shorter period.
Raju Venugopalan, a Brookhaven National Laboratory physicist, has been awarded the Humboldt Research Award for his work on quark-gluon plasma and ultra-cold atomic gases. The award will enable him to continue collaborations with German researchers and further explore connections between these systems.
The 2017 AMS Doob Prize recognizes the groundbreaking work of John Friedlander and Henryk Iwaniec on prime numbers and sieves. Their book Opera de Cribro has made a profound impact on the field of sieve theory, providing a comprehensive presentation of the subject.
Researchers found inconsistencies in patient care after ICU discharge, with factors like poor communication, lack of knowledge, and time pressures contributing to issues. Effective rehabilitation requires a comprehensive approach involving health professionals, patients, and families.
Researchers successfully tested an optical clock in space, demonstrating its potential to improve GPS accuracy and enable global sensing applications. The compact frequency comb laser system operated smoothly under microgravity conditions, paving the way for future space-based precision clocks.
Researchers at Osaka University have created rigid self-healing materials that can recover up to 99% of their strength in semi-dry conditions. The materials use a combination of physical and chemical approaches to facilitate self-healing, utilizing polyrotaxane structures and reversible bonds.