News on measuring and increasing the impact of research. Covers research-impact data, AI publishing workflows, open-access programs, and scholarly metrics.
A recent study found that high levels of inflammation can impede the effectiveness of clot-busting treatment after a heart attack. Individuals with elevated C-reactive protein levels had slower responses to thrombolytic therapy, resulting in delayed revascularization and increased damage to the heart.
A new study led by UCSF researchers found that anonymous HIV testing is associated with earlier diagnosis and treatment, resulting in a longer quality of life. The study showed that participants who underwent anonymous testing were diagnosed with AIDS 1.5 years later than those who tested confidentially.
Researchers discovered that mice lacking myoglobin survive normally despite their inability to transport oxygen. Further study will explore alternative genes that enable the heart and muscles to function correctly.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that two-thirds of analyzed newspaper coverage provided a negative representation of managed care, potentially influencing public opinion and policy. The study highlights the need for accurate and balanced reporting on healthcare issues.
A study of 117 women with recurrent breast or gynecological cancer found that social functioning and pain levels correlated. Maintaining physical and social abilities can help reverse the downward spiral of increasing pain, psychological symptoms, and spiritual dimensions.
The Johns Hopkins University Center will combine advanced information technology with surgical expertise to create dramatic changes in medical care. The center will focus on developing computer vision, sensors, and robotic devices for computer-assisted surgery.
Researchers found that hospitalized patients with depression are 1.9 times more likely to die than those without depression, with cardiovascular disease being the strongest predictor. The study highlights the importance of screening for depression in medical inpatients and improving their care to mitigate mortality risks.
Researchers have developed a method to breed flightless Asian ladybirds that can control pests on crops like cucumbers and melons. The new biological pest-control strategy has shown promising results in reducing pesticide use, but further field trials are needed to assess its efficiency.
Researchers find that native animals are more common in areas with native vegetation than in areas with exotic vegetation or grazing. They also discover that DDT may still be affecting reproduction of double-crested cormorants, while tree swallows can serve as sentinels for PCB contamination in aquatic environments.
A study found that increased school breakfast participation correlates with better social and academic functioning, including lower tardiness, higher math grades, and reduced problems like depression and anxiety. Students were more likely to participate when meals were offered free to all students.
Virginia Tech is conducting a national study on long-haul drivers' sleep quality and performance. The research aims to evaluate the effects of sleeper berth use on driver alertness and driving performance.
A new court-based program called Children First helps divorcing parents be more sensitive towards their children, reducing conflict intensity. The program's effectiveness was found to have positive effects on parents reporting high levels of conflict, leading to improved interactions with their kids.
Researchers developed mice with human apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) in the brain, showing learning and memory problems similar to those seen in human Alzheimer's patients. The apoE4 mice performed poorly in tests requiring spatial learning and memory skills.
New research from Ohio State University suggests that workplace teams are not the key factor in determining employee behavior. Basic standards of employment, such as job security and good worker-manager relations, were found to be more important than management control in shaping worker behavior.
Scientists will present research on the effects of environmental endocrine disruptors on human health and the environment. Studies have found links between pesticides, PCBs, and amphibian decline, as well as potential impacts on fetal development and cancer risk.
Mass extinctions may not be fundamentally different from local catastrophes in their impact on global diversity. According to University of Cincinnati geologist Arnold Miller, regional and local bursts of diversification occur at different times around the world, contributing to a misleading picture of diversification trends.
A three-hour program reduced sexual assault rates by 20% compared to a control group. Women in the program were also less likely to be revictimized at six months follow-up. The program's effectiveness suggests it may help prevent sexual assault.
A new educational program for third and fourth-grade children significantly lowers cholesterol levels and improves cardiovascular health within eight weeks. The classroom-wide approach is more effective than targeted small groups, suggesting a need for policy changes at the elementary school level.
Researchers from UC Davis and Washington University found that larger organisms were more resistant to hurricanes' immediate impact, but the most prolific ones recovered faster. After a year, lizard populations had not changed, while spider numbers returned to pre-hurricane levels.
Researchers at Penn State found that sex hormones have little effect on adolescent sexual behavior after a nearly two-year study. Social factors like peer pressure are believed to have a much larger impact on behavior.
Researchers found that praising children for their intelligence can lead them to believe good test scores are more important than learning and mastering new things. In contrast, praising effort leads to a focus on learning goals and strategies for achievement.
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 study of 245 chronic tension headache sufferers found that 66% have headaches nearly every day, and 72% reported missing work due to pain. The research suggests that chronic tension headaches are more debilitating than previously thought, affecting not only physical health but also mental well-being.
Researchers propose that intense magnetic fields from lightning can induce fatal electrical currents within the body, leading to unexplained heart malfunctions in high-altitude areas. The study, published in Lancet, suggests a new route for lightning-related injuries and deaths.
A new computer program called POMPOUS has been developed to predict genetic markers with high accuracy, accelerating the discovery of gene function and reducing costs. The program has identified over 13,000 markers on the human genome, enabling researchers to analyze and identify genes more efficiently.
Researchers at Ohio State University warn golfers with knee injuries that playing too soon can cause further damage to an injured knee. The study found that a full golf swing places significant stress on knee joints, regardless of shoe type or skill level.
Researchers found that urbanization reduces stream diversity, but tolerates insects like midges, which are pollution-tolerant. Stream quality is affected by factors like road runoff, pavement pollution, and sediment, highlighting the need for sustainable land use practices to preserve aquatic ecosystems.
A research team has identified a critical weakness in the defence against aging and discovered that a specific cell type, the motor neuron, is the major target for oxidative damage. By inserting a human gene into fruit flies, researchers were able to boost their lifespan by 40%.
A new study by Cornell University finds that volunteering enhances psychological well-being in retirement, particularly for men, urbanites, and those with less income. Volunteering also gives individuals a sense of mastery over their lives, promoting social relationships and self-identity.
The Pediatric Academic Societies have reported significant advancements in children's health, with studies revealing the safety of vaccines, successful interventions to reduce childhood obesity, and promising gene therapies. Researchers have also made progress in understanding the effects of cocaine exposure on babies and improving out...
A study found that state-funded child health insurance can reduce financial barriers to healthcare, but racial and ethnic minority groups still face non-financial barriers, such as transportation and appointment scheduling issues. Despite these disparities, satisfaction rates with the program are high across all groups.
Bosques Arauco's winning study utilizes operations research systems to improve efficiency and have a positive impact on forest plantations. The award recognizes outstanding work in operations research that has had a significant impact on the performance of the client organization, with notable annual savings.
A study by Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that exposure to household smoking during childhood and adolescence can lead to diminished lung function in young adulthood. The researchers measured lung function in over 1,400 students and found that a mother's smoking in the home was associated with reduced air flow rates.
Researchers at UPMC report significant improvements in survival times and intercranial pressure in animals treated with the bio-artificial liver assist device. The device aims to provide temporary support to patients with acute liver failure until their liver recovers or transplantation is possible.
A new Cornell University study finds that higher taxes on cigarettes will have a statistically insignificant impact on reducing teenage smoking rates. Higher taxes are estimated to reduce the number of new teen-age smokers by less than half a percentage point or two percentage points, respectively.
Cornell University researchers have developed simple but effective means to detect harmful bacteria using nanofabrication and biology. The new biosensors can be read using a laser beam and provide an instant reading of bacterial contamination, making them ideal for use in food production lines or other sensitive areas.
A new study by Ohio University researchers found that women with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis use various coping mechanisms to deal with pain, including relaxation and emotional support. Women were better at regulating the emotional aspect of pain, while men struggled more with mood changes after high-pain days.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) has awarded $2 million to support 20 grants from the first round of applications. The grants focus on high-impact, high-risk research studies in areas such as cell biology, biophysics, and pharmacology.
The Fiber and Electro-Optics Research Center at Virginia Tech has received a $9.6 million grant from the Naval Research Laboratory to develop new technologies in microelectronics and nanostructured materials. Researchers aim to create more efficient devices with improved electronic, optical, mechanical properties.
IBM researchers Kirtley and Tsuei have made a major breakthrough in understanding high-temperature superconductors, resolving a long-standing question about the nature of electron pairs. Their discovery of d-wave pairing symmetry may lead to new materials with higher conductivity at even higher temperatures.
Researchers create new materials with exceptional properties using a mathematical theory developed by Professor Subra Suresh and visiting scientist Antonios Giannakopoulos. The theory allows for the efficient testing of graded materials, including dental implants, tank armor, and gears in car transmissions.
University of Michigan Professor Nicholas Steneck warns that research misconduct is a persistent problem. He suggests several solutions to address the issue, including random audits, exit interviews, and nationwide calls for creative solutions.
Researchers predict a significant rise in stroke cases in the US, with 1 million Americans expected to experience their first-ever stroke each year by 2050. This surge is largely attributed to an aging population, which will drive an increase of 167% among men and 140% among women.
A study of 224 middle-aged and older adults found that avoiding pessimism had a greater impact on well-being, whereas optimistic thinking did not have as large an impact. The study also showed that caregivers were more pessimistic and less optimistic than non-caregivers.
Research by Dr. Dan A. Oren may help alleviate SAD symptoms such as fatigue, sadness, weight gain, and sleep problems. His study suggests that blood absorbs light energy from the sun, regulating biological clocks and behavior.
A two-year study found that moderate air pollution can decrease lung function in adult hikers, even at relatively low ozone concentrations. Hikers with a history of asthma or wheezing experienced more pronounced declines.
Scientists have identified specific brain regions linked to tinnitus, a condition with no known cause or effective treatment. The study's findings raise hopes for developing treatments and possibly even a cure.
A new study reveals that adjusting the structural orientation of a soluble catalyst's molecules can dramatically improve its catalytic efficiency and selectivity. The researchers found that neatly arranged molecules are more efficient and easier to control chemical reactions.
Researchers identify eight physical indicators of stress, including blood pressure and cortisol levels, that can predict deadly consequences. Exercise is shown to be an effective antidote to break the cycle of chronic stress and its associated health problems.
A comprehensive study of middle-age Americans found that ex-smokers experienced faster progression of atherosclerosis compared to nonsmokers, despite having quit years before. The study suggests that the cumulative effect of smoking on arteries may be irreversible.
A new study by Dr. June Stevens of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that excess body weight increases the risk of death from heart disease and other causes up to late life, with optimal weight found at a body mass index (BMI) of 19-22 until age 75.
JoAnn Burkholder, a North Carolina State University researcher, was awarded the 1998 Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award for her unyielding pursuit of knowledge about Pfiesteria piscicida, a microbe devastating U.S. rivers and fish. Her research led to the identification of the toxin's chemical structure and faster-acting poiso...
A survey of parents with children diagnosed with chronic conditions found that more than a third of non-supportive incidents came from healthcare providers, with physicians being the most common culprit. The study highlights the importance of sensitive and accurate information delivery by healthcare professionals to support families' a...
The US EPA has established a Drinking Water Optimization Institute at the University of Cincinnati to help utilities comply with new regulations. The institute will focus on optimizing water treatment methods, distribution systems, and raw water sources to meet safety standards.
A new University of Washington study finds that student evaluations often misrepresent instructors' abilities, favoring teachers of easier courses and penalizing those of tougher subjects. The researchers propose reforms to improve the evaluation system, such as incorporating measures of students' learning outcomes.
A study found that reading intervention, particularly emphasizing specific words during reading sessions, can significantly benefit children with language delays. Researchers worked with 14 children aged 3-5 and their parents, who read two picture books daily for six weeks.
A new MIT study suggests that a rapid reduction in global ocean circulation 118,000 years ago may have thrown the climate system back into an ice age. The finding has important implications for understanding the potential impact of increased greenhouse forcing on the oceans.
A large study has found that blunt blows from baseballs, hockey pucks, and other high-velocity objects can disrupt the heart's rhythm, leading to sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes. Most victims had normal hearts and were under 16 years old at the time of their death.
A new study reveals that employers give fewer chances to women and employees with working spouses for job relocations, despite their acceptance rates being no different. The research found biases based on sex and marital type, which could impact career development and create a glass ceiling for working women.
Researchers have discovered fossilized termite nests in the sandstone pillars of New Mexico, with some reaching depths of over 120 feet. The ancient structures contain interconnected galleries and chambers similar to those found in modern social termite nests, providing insights into past biodiversity conditions.