News on measuring and increasing the impact of research. Covers research-impact data, AI publishing workflows, open-access programs, and scholarly metrics.
The Oregon Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Neurological Disorders (ORCCAMIND) has been established at OHSU with a $7.8 million NIH grant. Initial research projects focus on herbal medicines, yoga, and other alternative therapies for Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine has found that gamma/delta T cells are essential for regulating airway hyperresponsiveness, which is characterized by an exaggerated response to stimuli. The research suggests that these cells have a suppressive effect on airway constriction and may be a key target for future treatments.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine will receive $24 million over six years from Novartis Pharma AG to discover new treatments for schizophrenia. The partnership aims to find ways to treat patients with 'negative' symptoms, which are limited in emotional expression and social functioning.
Researchers will compare surgical and nonsurgical treatments for herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis in a 5-year study. The study aims to determine the relative effectiveness of these treatment approaches in improving health-related quality of life and reducing resource use.
Research indicates the Indian Ocean has its own El Niño-like phenomenon characterized by an east-to-west oscillation of warm waters affecting other parts of the world. The study found significant warming of the western portion of the Indian Ocean in 16 out of 48 years between 1950 and 1998, but only three were active El Niño years.
Historically black colleges and universities are partnering with high-tech research-intensive universities for $1 million environmental health grants. The program, called ARCH, aims to strengthen research capabilities at minority-serving institutions, enabling them to conduct competitive research in environmental health sciences.
A report on a June 15 earthquake in Mexico highlights the need for enforcing special seismic design standards for critical buildings like schools, hospitals, and fire stations. The study found that these buildings are often constructed with heavier materials than recommended, increasing the risk of damage during earthquakes.
A new study published in Health Psychology contradicts long-held notions about the connection between breast cancer and psychological factors. The researchers found modest associations with certain psychosocial factors, but emphasized that biology remains the primary factor in breast cancer development.
A new study found that workplace substance use has significant negative consequences for employees, including morale problems, increased injury risk, and poor communication. The researchers developed a team-oriented training to help work groups address co-worker substance use and promote employee well-being.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center found that bilateral prophylactic oophorectomy reduces breast cancer risk in women with a BRCA1 gene mutation. After 10 years, the incidence of breast cancer among women who had their ovaries removed was significantly lower than those who did not.
A study of 182 Oklahoma City bombing survivors revealed high rates of postdisaster psychiatric disorders, with 45% experiencing symptoms in the six months following the explosion. The investigation also identified specific symptoms that indicated the need for treatment, including avoidance and numbing symptoms.
Researchers found that the Rpm1 resistance gene in Arabidopsis is approximately 9.8 million years old, with minimal changes over time, contradicting the 'arms race' theory. The study suggests an alternative 'trench warfare' model, where cycles of disease epidemics maintain stable forms of resistance and susceptibility genes.
A University of Michigan study found that a low sense of belonging is a stronger predictor of major depression than other factors. The research analyzed data from 31 clients with depression and 379 community college students, concluding that feeling connected to others is crucial in overcoming depression.
Long-term societal changes, particularly the aging baby boomer generation, contributed to a significant decline in serious crimes during the Clinton presidency. The strong economy and increased community-based crime prevention initiatives also played a crucial role in reducing crime rates.
Researchers found that children gave better information during video interviews than face-to-face interactions, with reduced incorrect responses and improved cooperation. The use of video links also led to longer smiles and more frequent smiling among the children, indicating higher levels of comfort and relaxation.
The Second Annual International Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Competition will take place at the Naval Systems Warfare Center in Panama City, Florida. Six university teams will compete for a $10,000 prize, with a focus on developing capable AUVs and top-notch engineers to work on them.
A UK researcher has partnered with R.J. Reynolds to develop nicotine-based drugs targeting Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, obesity, and depression. The partnership has resulted in several potential drug candidates being evaluated for clinical trials.
Researchers found that psychological stress increases cortisol levels, which can slow down the delivery of cytokines to wounds, leading to slower healing times. This study provides a new insight into how stress affects physiologic changes within the body and may have serious consequences for patients recovering from surgery.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that consuming foods containing leucine immediately after intense workouts can stimulate muscle protein synthesis and improve recovery. The optimal dosage is unclear, but athletes are advised to consume a balanced diet with protein-rich food and carbohydrate-rich fluids.
A recent survey found bullying behaviors among 80% of middle school students, challenging traditional notions of bullies and victims. The research emphasizes the importance of addressing the 'school climate' to effectively combat bullying.
New research from London's Institute of Psychiatry suggests that clozapine, an atypical drug for schizophrenia, can restore information processing abilities in patients. This restoration enables individuals to filter out background noise and focus on relevant information.
A study by Ohio State University found that divorcing parents who attended a parent education seminar reported better parent-child relationships than those who did not. The program was most effective during the first four years following divorce, with participants showing improved closeness and satisfaction with their relationship. Des...
Scientists are conducting a month-long atmospheric research effort near Nauru to study the tropical ocean's impact on global weather and climate. The Tropical Western Pacific serves as the earth's heat engine, driving global weather events such as El Nino and La Nina.
A new study predicts that jet contrails will become a significant climate factor by 2050, causing a warming of the Earth's atmosphere. Contrails are expected to increase in coverage over Europe and Asia, with potential temperature increases reaching up to 0.7 watts per square meter.
Researchers at Virginia Tech created an environmentally safe bait to control carpenter ants by understanding the insects' foraging behavior and diet. The bait was developed using a combination of proteins, sugar, and other compounds, and has been shown to be effective in reducing ant populations and improving homeowners' quality of life.
A study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has detected and measured contaminants from certain pesticides and industrial chemicals in the amniotic fluid of unborn babies. DDE levels were found in 30% of the population, ranging from 0.1 to 0.63 nanograms per milliliter, which is comparable to natural hormone levels.
A new study published in Marketing Science suggests that customers may prioritize brand risk over quality when making purchasing decisions. The research findings have important implications for marketing strategies, including the need to consider loyalty customers and potential trial experiences.
A new Mayo Clinic study finds that parkinsonism affects 7.5% of the population, with men twice as likely to develop it as women. The study reveals that Parkinson's disease accounts for only 42% of all parkinsonism cases.
The Terra mission marks a new era in global change research, providing unprecedented data to study climate change. The workshop brings together leading scientists to discuss new findings and challenges in the field.
Researchers found depressed smokers had lower natural killer cell activity than non-smokers, while moderate smoking contributed to increased white blood cell counts and reduced NK activity. The study suggests that even moderate cigarette smoking can impact the immune system adversely.
The AGU Spring Meeting will feature new press conferences on Leonid Meteors, which created a temporary lunar atmosphere, and Yucca Mountain as a potential site for long-term nuclear waste storage. The sessions will also include discussions on Mars Global Surveyor findings and the impact of magnetic storms on Earth.
Researchers found that folic acid fortification in grains increased plasma folate levels and reduced total homocysteine concentrations. This study provides important information on the impact of consuming specific amounts of folate on blood homocysteine levels, which may have implications for reducing heart disease risk.
Researchers at University of California, Santa Barbara have discovered a way to disarm microbial pathogens using a novel approach. The findings, published in Science, identify a master switch that controls bacterial infection and lead to the development of new vaccines and antibiotics.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is awarding $14 million in grants to support research on infectious and parasitic diseases worldwide. The five-year program will help scientists identify the mechanisms of these diseases and develop new approaches for treatment.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have made two groundbreaking discoveries. Firstly, they found that magnesium boosts cell proliferation in neural cells, potentially revolutionizing neural development. Secondly, a study identified a key receptor in human cells that may contribute to septic shock's immune response, offering new...
A randomized controlled trial found that zinc supplementation significantly reduced mortality in low-birth weight Indian children. Zinc also reduced diarrheal prevalence and pneumonia incidence in international studies.
A major new study concludes that home environment has about twice the educational impact of day care on children's school readiness. The study found that better-quality care before the school years tends to prepare children better to succeed in school later on.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that writing about stressful experiences improved symptoms for nearly half of patients with asthma and arthritis. After four months, the patients who wrote down their feelings showed significant clinical improvement compared to those who wrote about their daily ...
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that people moving to the suburbs are more concerned about school-related issues like safety and academics, whereas those staying in cities prioritize factors such as neighborhood racial diversity, affordability, and family connections. This shift in priorities has implications for urb...
Researchers at Clemson University are developing practical and cost-effective solutions to create tornado 'safe rooms' in homes. They're testing various structural components, including wood-reinforced panels and metal decking, to prevent damage from wind-blown debris and falling trees.
Researchers found that employed husbands and wives should each do less than half of the household chores to keep their personal distress levels at a minimum. A more equitable division of household work could reduce women's distress without increasing men's distress levels.
A new study found that how children perceive their parents' divorce can significantly affect their mental health. Children who harbor negative biases about the divorce experience higher levels of depression and anxiety. Conversely, positive biases or illusions can buffer these effects, but excessive positivity may be detrimental.
A rigorous evaluation of the hospitalist model is necessary to assess its impact on patient outcomes, costs, and provider satisfaction. The UCSF researchers recommend a comprehensive evaluation framework that includes process and outcome measures.
A new scientific study investigated whether olestra-based potato and corn chips cause unpleasant symptoms, finding no significant difference between the two groups. Participants reported an average of one more day with more frequent bowel movements in the olestra group, but this effect was not substantial.
A new research center at Cornell University is receiving a $3.5 million grant to investigate the challenges of employing people with disabilities and develop more effective policies to support them. The center will analyze data on workers with disabilities, measure their employment and earnings, and provide information for policy-makers.
A study published by the American Heart Association found that Mexican Americans have a higher risk of stroke, particularly among younger adults. The researchers also discovered that obesity and physical inactivity are major risk factors for stroke in this population.
A new study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that patients with both depression and a physical illness stay twice as long in the hospital compared to those with only depression. The study surveyed over 2,300 psychiatric patients admitted between 1987 and 1992.
A commercially available additive can double the life of concrete bridge decks and lower costs by enhancing resistance to water, corrosion and deicing salt. The study found that bridge decks constructed with the additive had less tendency for water or salts to intrude into the concrete.
Experts gather at AAAS Symposium to discuss the impact of new accountability requirements on research environments. A study by the National Academy of Science's Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy (COSEPUP) will be presented, highlighting potential negative effects.
Researchers face challenges in measuring creative activities like research due to lack of standard tools and concerns about burden of reporting. A study by Dr. Susan Cozzens suggests that mixed-panel reviews incorporating input from potential users can improve assessment methods, but simplicity and autonomy are crucial for basic research.
Researchers gathered unprecedented data from NASA aircraft in Atlantic hurricanes Bonnie, Danielle, Earl, and Georges, shedding light on complex wind patterns and rainfall enhancement by mountains. The study aims to improve hurricane forecast capabilities, saving lives and reducing evacuation zones.
The University of Georgia and the Ukrainian government have signed an agreement to establish a permanent International Radioecology Laboratory in Chornobyl, Ukraine. The laboratory will focus on studying the biological and ecological impacts of radioactive fallout from the 1986 nuclear accident.
A recent study by Family Health Project researchers found that HIV-infected low-income inner-city New Orleans women are two to five times more likely to be victims of violence than their uninfected counterparts. The study also revealed higher levels of psychological distress and depression among these women.
Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture have created an anti-browning treatment that prevents apples from turning brown for up to five weeks. The new technique uses natural products and doesn't require special packaging, with potential applications in other fresh-cut fruits.
A portfolio optimization model (POM) developed in 1989 helps Chicago's Peoples Energy utilities balance costs by reserving natural gas supply, transportation, and storage. The model generates significant annual cost savings of $50 million since 1995, improving efficiency and decision-making.
A recent study found a link between an asteroid/comet impact and the disappearance of 35 mammal species and a flightless bird 3.3 million years ago in southeastern Argentina. The research suggests that the impact may have triggered a climate change, leading to regional extinctions.
A new study by researchers at UCSF found that bartenders who worked in smoke-free conditions after the ban reported significant drops in coughing and other respiratory problems. Lung function also improved after the implementation of the smoke-free workplace law.
Researchers found that global climate change could lead to dramatic increases in California wildfires and economic losses. The study analyzed the potential effects of climate change on wildfires in California and found that changes would occur despite enhanced fire suppression resources.
Researchers analyzed two cores retrieved from a Bolivian glacier, discovering that the tropics were much cooler during the last glacial stage, with temperatures estimated to be around 5-6 degrees Celsius lower than today. The findings also suggest that the region was wetter and experienced massive lakes forming on the plateau.
Researchers found that single mothers and single fathers have similar success rates in raising well-behaved and high-performing children. However, single mothers tend to face socioeconomic disadvantages that can affect their ability to provide a positive family environment.