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Dad's alcohol consumption could influence sons' drinking, Pitt study finds

A new animal study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that male mice exposed to alcohol before breeding had less likely offspring who consumed less alcohol and were more sensitive to its effects. The study suggests environmental factors, such as epigenetics, may play a role in shaping drinking behaviors.

Sincere family gift creates unique bridge between Tel Aviv University and University of Wisconsin

The Debra and Richard Sincere Tel Aviv University Project in Middle Eastern Studies will award substantial scholarships to outstanding doctoral students, fostering joint academic activities with the University of Wisconsin. The gift also supports research seminars, conferences, and faculty/student exchanges between the two institutions.

Study: state VAMS don't reflect content, quality of teachers' instruction

A new study published in Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis found no association between multiple-measure teaching effectiveness ratings and the content of teachers' instruction. The researchers suggest that value-added models are not useful for evaluating teacher performance or shaping classroom instruction.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·DateMay 13, 2014

Autologous stem cell therapy improves motor function in chronic stroke victims

A study published in Cell Transplantation found that injecting autologous peripheral blood stem cells into the brain of stroke patients improved their motor function. The treatment was safe and feasible in patients who suffered a prior stroke, with significant improvements in clinical outcomes measures.

Most of the sand in Alberta's oilsands came from eastern North America, study shows

A University of Calgary-led study has found that the majority of sand in Alberta's oilsands came from the Appalachian region on eastern North America. Researchers used a technique called detrital zircon uranium-lead geochronology to determine the age of individual sediment grains, revealing a range of ages from 300 to 2,800 million yea...

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalJournal of Sedimentary Research·DateMar 12, 2014

Monthly appointments with pharmacists improve medication adherence

Patients with chronic medications show improved adherence when they meet monthly with pharmacists to coordinate treatment schedules and dispense prescriptions on a single day. This appointment-based model can have a major impact on patient health, as it simplifies medication regimens and addresses individualized needs.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalJournal of the American Pharmacists Association·DateDec 19, 2013

Hormone levels in women using contraception affect nerve activity involved in vessel constriction

Research finds that hormone contraception affects the regulation of muscle sympathetic nerve activity differently, depending on sex hormone levels and chemoreflex stress. Hormone levels influence the frequency and amplitude of nerve firings, with higher hormone levels protecting against cardiovascular damage in younger women.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateNov 6, 2013

New analysis of US elementary school mathematics finds half-century of problematic 'strands' structure

A new analysis by Liping Ma reveals that the 'strands' structure in US elementary school mathematics has significantly weakened its effectiveness, with instability and discontinuity in curricular content and instruction. The structure was introduced in the 1960s as a replacement for traditional school arithmetic, but has persisted desp...

SourceAmerican Mathematical Society·JournalNotices of the American Mathematical Society·DateOct 11, 2013

National study of scientist-educators reveals surprises in training, funding

A national study published in PNAS found that US science faculty with education specialties have varying levels of formal training in science education, but are more likely to receive grant money at Ph.D.-granting institutions. Despite this, there is an intriguing disconnect between training and funding outcomes for these faculty members.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2013

Program improves Ph.D. student diversity

A new paper at Brown University describes a program that has significantly improved recruiting and performance of underrepresented minority students in its life sciences doctoral programs over the last four years. The program's three-part strategy includes partnerships with undergraduate institutions, minicourses to build skills needed...

The impact of affirmative action bans in graduate fields of study

Research by Liliana M. Garces shows that affirmative action bans have a significant impact on the enrollment of students of color in various graduate fields, particularly engineering and natural sciences. The study suggests that institutions must adopt innovative outreach and recruitment practices to reverse underrepresentation trends.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateJan 24, 2013

General thoracic surgeons emerge as leading providers of complex, noncardiac thoracic surgery

A recent UC Davis study reveals that general thoracic surgeons perform the majority of complex noncardiac thoracic surgeries, including esophageal and lung procedures. The research supports the recognition of general thoracic surgery as a distinct specialty, benefiting patients in selecting surgeons for specific procedures.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalThe Annals of Thoracic Surgery·DateDec 6, 2012

Bias may exist in rating of medical trainees

A study by UK researchers found that attending physicians tend to rate borderline performances lower when previously exposed to good, rather than poor, performances. This contrast bias may result in biased judgments in competency-based education assessment systems.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateDec 4, 2012

SETAC announces Chris Lee Award for metals research winner, Kevin Brix

Kevin Brix, a University of Miami PhD graduate, has been awarded the SETAC/ICA Chris Lee Award for his outstanding research on metal toxicity in aquatic organisms. His work focuses on the mechanisms of metal toxicity to freshwater and marine species, with a particular emphasis on dietary metal exposure and its effects on aquatic life.

Retweeted health messages may not be what the patient ordered

A study by Penn State researchers found that people perceive tweets and retweets differently depending on the source, with original tweets from popular doctors being most credible. Non-medical professionals with a large following were also seen as more trustworthy than doctors who retweet health messages.

SourcePenn State·JournalHealth Communication·DateSep 26, 2012