A survey of over 15,000 adolescent patients found that smoking was associated with higher rates of substance abuse, poor physical activity, and academic struggles. Orthodontists are uniquely positioned to promote healthy lifestyle messages to adolescents, who tend to visit them more frequently than other healthcare providers.
Researchers identified a new axon guidance receptor, Dscam, found in the tips of growing neurons that can exist in over 38,000 different forms. This unprecedented diversity may provide a fundamental code for precise wiring of trillions of neurons in the brain.
A new study reveals that even in countries with universal healthcare, there are significant restrictions on prescription drug accessibility for the elderly. The research found that countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK have varying levels of outpatient pharmaceutical plans, but often come with high costs.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study suggests that benzene is responsible for between 8% and 48% of all smoking-induced leukemia deaths. The chemical also causes between 12% and 58% of smoking-related deaths from acute myeloid leukemia.
A new Cornell University study reveals that household chores such as scrubbing, mopping, and vacuuming are still among the most tiring tasks, similar to those found in a 1937 survey. The researchers recommend redesigning these processes to reduce strain and fatigue.
Research shows younger children focus on observing angry behavior, while older kids understand parents' internal goals and behaviors. Parents should adapt their approach to explain conflicts and resolutions to suit their child's age.
Researchers at UNC-CH develop new technique to measure electronic properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes using C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance. The study finds that the mass ratios of metallic and semiconducting tubes can be controlled, enabling the production of materials with tunable structures.
A new study published in the journal Science suggests that low-mass stars called red supergiants may die explosively rather than fade away quietly. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of nucleosynthesis, stellar structure, and the evolution of stars.
A recent study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior found that caring for an ill or disabled family member can increase emotional distress and accumulate over time. Women who care for their loved ones experience higher levels of distress, particularly those who provide long-term care.
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that the amount of lead in the environment from bullets on battlefields is not a significant concern for water quality, with no contamination detected off range. However, they discovered that shot impacts cause significant damage to trees up to 140 meters beyond the range.
Chemist William R. Dolbier receives American Chemical Society Award for Creative Work in Fluorine Chemistry for innovative studies of fluorine, which strengthens bonds and makes products like Teflon resistant to high temperatures.
A new study estimates that up to 9,000 community water wells in 31 states may be contaminated with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) due to their proximity to leaking underground storage tanks. This could pose a risk to the approximately 90 million people who obtain drinking water from these wells.
NMSU researchers found that eating three-quarters of a cup of pecans daily lowered LDL cholesterol by 10% after four weeks and by 6% after eight weeks. Pecans also provide monounsaturated fat, vitamin E, and fiber, making them a part of a balanced diet.
A new study suggests that more school competition, particularly from private schools, can lead to higher teacher paychecks. In Ohio, the research found that areas with many public and private schools could see teachers earn up to $1,000 more per year.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a new method to study protein dynamics in transition states, shedding light on the structural changes during activation. This breakthrough could lead to new drug development and insights into conditions like congenital myasthenia syndrome.
A new study by Cornell University found that ergonomic chairs do not significantly reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome or other wrist injuries in computer users. Despite being designed for use during keyboarding, typists extended their wrists beyond recommended angles in all tested chairs.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that US legislators who successfully pass bills receive more campaign contributions from political action committees. The study analyzed the relationship between legislative effectiveness and PAC funding, revealing a significant positive correlation.
A University of Florida study found that nearly half of senior women use herbal products to prevent or treat health problems. However, they rarely inform their healthcare providers, which can lead to dangerous drug interactions. The most commonly used herbal remedies were ginkgo biloba, garlic tablets, and glucosamine with chondroitin.
A new study from Penn State suggests that healthy eating habits and good health status can help maintain the ability to fight off germs and reduce illness in older adults. The research found that well-nourished women between 60 and 80 years old have immune systems that function similarly to younger women.
A review paper by University of Pittsburgh researcher James J. Dignam suggests that physiological responses to treatments are not responsible for poorer outcomes among blacks. Black women with the same stage of breast cancer have more advanced disease conditions due to less access to or utilization of healthcare resources.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft has awarded the most highly endowed German promotion prize to 14 scientists and scholars. The prize-winners, chosen from over 100 nominations, will receive funding of up to €3 million to support their research.
A Virginia Tech study finds rural single female-headed households face significant barriers to entering the workforce due to lack of transportation and public services. The study suggests these areas will be disproportionately affected in an economic downturn.
A University of Pittsburgh study has found that depressive symptoms are a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease among people with Type 1 diabetes. The study's results also suggest that blood sugar levels do not strongly predict the likelihood of this complication.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researcher Akira Sekikawa found a wide range of death rates across the US, with southern states having the highest CHD mortality rates. The researchers attributed these differences to variations in cigarette smoking and high school graduation rates among men aged 35-44.
Researchers found that middle-aged women can avoid weight gain through increased physical activity and a low-fat, reduced-calorie dietary pattern. The five-year study showed significant reductions in weight gain and waist circumference among those who participated in the lifestyle intervention program.
A new analysis by University of Colorado at Boulder professor Karl Mueller indicates a high threat of large earthquake in the New Madrid seismic zone. The study gathered evidence on a pivotal 'blind-thrust' fault and found a slip rate of nearly 45 feet over 2,300 years, posing significant risks to Memphis and St. Louis.
Research found that positive words associated with aging, such as 'wise' and 'astute', increased walking speeds by 9% in older individuals. This study suggests that minimizing negative stereotypes about aging can lead to improved physical function and independence.
A new study suggests that Hillary Clinton's popularity among the American public is driven mostly by media coverage, with less influence from partisanship and national issues. The research found that negative media coverage has a greater impact on public reaction than positive coverage.
A University of Chicago study found that neighborhoods with more racially integrated populations have higher rates of bystander CPR during cardiac arrests. In contrast, predominantly white and black neighborhoods had lower CPR rates.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that Washington D.C. is the most internet-accessible city in the United States, with high-ranking cities in the West and Northeast performing well. Cities with more connections to commercial-Internet backbones were rated as more accessible.
A University of Pittsburgh study found that a non-invasive test can predict heart problems in middle-aged women without clinical signs of disease. The test, called electron beam computed tomography (EBCT), detected early signs of atherosclerosis in women who had no risk factors or clinical signs of disease.
A new study by researchers at the University of Georgia suggests that condom use can lead to closer and more intimate relationships. The study found that insisting on condom use sends a positive message to a partner, leading to greater respect, safety, and less regret after sex. However, the issue is often never discussed due to embarr...
The study found that African-American and white patients rated their same-race physician visits as more participatory, while patients of female physicians also reported higher levels of involvement. Better health outcomes can be achieved through increased minority physicians and cross-cultural communication training.
A longitudinal study found that children who exhibited more imagination and emotion in their early play were more creative and better copers as they aged. The research suggests that early interventions can help young children develop essential skills for lifelong creativity and problem-solving.
Researchers found that foster children who receive mentors experience improvements in their peer relationships and develop trust. The study, published in the Journal of Research on Adolescence, sheds light on how mentoring works for foster youth. Preliminary findings suggest that longer-term mentoring relationships yield better outcomes.
A University of Pittsburgh-led study has found a specific gene, APOE-4, to be associated with an increased risk of hip and wrist fractures in women over 65. The researchers discovered that women carrying the APOE-4 allele were twice as likely to suffer these fractures compared to those without the allele.
A new study by Ohio State University found that men and women agree on the characteristics of a 'sexual person', prioritizing love, compassion, and sensitivity. Men who scored high on sexual self-concept were more likely to be in relationships and experience feelings of love.
Breast cancer cells migrate toward hormone source, with researchers identifying a novel prolactin-mediated mechanism driving metastasis. The discovery provides new insights into disease progression and suggests potential directions for developing drugs to block breast cancer growth.
A study by the Virginia Tech Center for Housing Research found that low-income families spend over half of their income on rent in Virginia. The rent burden index for these families increased from 42% to 51.2% between 1989 and 1996, with some localities having rent burdens exceeding 70%.
A new study found that cliques and social sets, as well as marijuana use, are predictors of violent behavior among teenagers. The research also identified other factors such as being male, having been victimized by violence, or feeling vulnerable to violence as risk factors. These findings have significant implications for understandin...
A recent study found that professionals frequently mistake non-bullying situations for bullying, leading to inadequate intervention and increased long-term harm. The researchers stress the importance of recognizing emotional abuse and its potential to escalate into violence.
A Penn State study found that female athletes with poor body image and excessive exercise schedules are more likely to experience menstrual irregularities, including transient infertility. The research highlights the importance of addressing psychological and behavioral factors alongside dietary and exercise habits.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found a strong correlation between high weekend ozone levels and one degree Celsius higher temperatures. This challenges the assumption that ozone has a minor impact on greenhouse warming compared to carbon dioxide.
A recent study published in Health Psychology suggests that self-confidence about exercise plays a significant role in its emotional benefits. The higher a person's self-efficacy, the more likely they are to experience positive emotions during physical activity.
A new study by Cornell University's Randall Peterson suggests that all small groups can function more efficiently by limiting free speech. When members have the opportunity to express their opinions, they are more likely to feel the decision-making process is fair, but excessive voice can stymie progress.
A study by Philip Tetlock found that experts often minimize errors and attribute successes to sound judgments, even when wrong. Despite being only correct half the time when 80% confident, experts retain confidence in their fundamental assessments.
New study using GPS satellites tracks ground motions in Midwest seismic zone, revealing little to no motion across the area. The results suggest National Seismic Hazard maps should be revised to reflect lower estimates of earthquake risk, potentially leading to cost savings for new construction.
A brief, non-confrontational intervention treatment significantly reduced alcohol consumption and related problems among high-risk college-age drinkers. The study found that students who received the intervention cut their drinking by 23%, compared to a 5% decrease in the control group.
A new study found that individuals with right anterior frontal damage struggle to appreciate written and verbal jokes and funny cartoons. Instead, they prefer silly slapstick humor, which is often illogical and absurd, such as The Three Stooges.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have found that electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) can identify older adults with heart disease who appear healthy through standard non-invasive tests. EBCT measures coronary and aortic calcification, which are known risk factors for coronary events.
A new NASA study reveals Atlanta's urban heat island effect, with temperatures 10 degrees higher than surrounding areas, worsened by human land use changes. The increased heat intensifies smog levels and creates thunderstorms, which can also have beneficial effects in cleaning the atmosphere.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that more than two-thirds of animated feature films produced for children over the past 60 years display tobacco or alcohol use. The study examined nearly all G-rated animated films released between 1937 and 1997, including popular titles such as Disney and Warner Brothers films.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study reveals that dopamine plays an early central role in pleasure but another chemical like serotonin is actually responsible for the sensation. Researchers believe this discovery could lead to better explanations for substance abuse and addiction, as well as new treatments.
A survey of consumers found that Americans prefer beef over emu due to its gamey flavor, although it is a healthier option. Emu was rated lower in tenderness and overall acceptance compared to turkey and beef.
A Cornell University study suggests that chelation therapy used to treat lead poisoning in children may have adverse effects on the developing immune system. The therapy, DMSA, was found to impair immune function in offspring of pregnant rats who received the treatment during pregnancy.
Researchers found that court reports prepared by probation officers consistently depict black and white juvenile offenders differently, resulting in tougher sentencing recommendations for blacks. The study highlights the role of unconscious racial stereotyping in the justice system.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that high levels of serum estradiol and testosterone are associated with a three-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers hope this information will help clinicians identify high-risk women who may benefit from chemoprevention.
A recent gene study published in Science magazine contradicts decades of research suggesting that birds are the closest relatives of reptile groups. Turtles have been found to be the closest living relatives of crocodilians, according to the analysis of 24 nuclear genes and 9 DNA segments from reptile cells.
A landmark study found that cocaine and tobacco use significantly increased the risk of miscarriage in inner-city pregnant women. The study reported that 24% of the risk for miscarriage could be related to cocaine and tobacco use.
A Cornell University study found that almost 40 percent of third-to-fifth graders used computer workstations with heights, keyboards, and monitors that put their musculoskeletal development at risk. The research highlights the need for ergonomic considerations in elementary school settings to prevent health problems.