Researchers analyzed laughter clips from 44 infants to children aged 3-18 months and found that youngest babies laughed on both inhalation and exhalation, similar to chimpanzees. Older babies primarily laughed on the exhale, as seen in older children and adults.
A team of researchers used real-time MRI to study how beatboxers produce percussion sounds, finding that they can create unique sounds not seen in any language. The study used video signal processing to demystify the mechanics of artistic style and characterized different beatboxing styles.
Scientists study bat and dolphin sonar systems to improve man-made active sensing technologies. Bat species use frequency-modulating calls to overcome acoustic interference, whereas dolphins rely on short clicks with minimal overlap.
Researchers found that moth fur provides acoustic stealth by reducing echoes of body parts from bat calls. The thorax fur acts as a lightweight porous sound absorber, offering a significant survival advantage against bats.
Reducing shipping vessel speed by 10 knots may help alleviate the negative impact of noise pollution on Arctic cod, according to a study. The study found that slowing down cruise ships resulted in more substantial reductions in acoustic masking effects compared to container vessels.
Using machine learning algorithms, researchers analyzed high-fidelity acoustic measurements from basketball games to identify patterns in the raw data that indicate what the crowd was doing. The study revealed six clusters corresponding to different emotions and actions, allowing for the early detection of unruly or violent behavior.
Scientists have discovered that different piranha species can be identified by the pattern of their barks, which could lead to more efficient conservation efforts. The study's findings suggest that passive acoustic monitoring may be a useful tool for studying piranha behavior in the wild.
A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that listeners who heard sentences spoken in a clear style did better on memory recall tasks than those who heard them spoken in a conversational manner. The researchers suggest that clearly produced speech may be an efficient way to convey information and improve retention.
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University has identified two promising proteins, chitinase-3 like1 and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, that may improve the diagnosis and prognosis of ALS. The study found that models developed from proteins in cerebrospinal fluid were more useful than those in blood plasma.
The four-year project will develop and apply new tools to connect the functions of individual microbes to their genetic makeup in diverse marine and continental environments. Combing single-cell genomics with measurements of microbial metabolism will help understand the role of microbes in cycling biologically important compounds.
Researchers at KIT developed a method to analyze social media photos to draw conclusions about the socio-cultural importance of natural landscapes. By analyzing tags and content, they identified cultural hotspots and understood how people use areas for leisure activities or nature appreciation.
A new report from the American Cancer Society highlights critical priorities for care delivery, research, education, and policy to equitably improve survivor outcomes. The report aims to minimize long-term impact by optimizing functioning, quality of life, and overall health for cancer survivors and caregivers.
A systematic review of over two million patients found the newer shingles vaccine Shingrix to be 85% more effective than Zostavax in reducing cases of shingles. However, it also carried a higher risk of injection-site adverse events such as redness or swelling.
Federico Rosei, an INRS professor, has received the APS John Wheatley Award for his efforts in bridging the science gap between developed and developing nations. He organizes international conferences to foster scientific dialogue and supports young researchers from developing countries.
The partnership aims to find new cancer drugs and attract diverse researchers to focus on cancers with increased risk of incidence and mortality among African-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans. The program will also enhance current researchers' awareness and knowledge of cancer health disparities.
A UCSF special issue of Tobacco Control debunks the tobacco industry's claims that heated tobacco products are safer than conventional cigarettes. The research, led by Stanton A. Glantz, PhD, finds no statistically detectable difference between IQOS and conventional cigarettes in terms of harmful chemicals released.
A long-term study by University of Washington researchers found that sockeye salmon carcasses fertilized White spruce trees on one side of Hansen Creek, leading to faster tree growth. The study, which spanned 20 years, used tree core samples to measure growth rates and found a significant increase in growth on the side with carcasses.
Clemson University is developing a customizable virtual reality system, called Enodia, to facilitate collaboration among researchers. The system will enable groups to visualize and share computational simulations, while also enhancing student learning experiences.
Critically ill patients are not benefiting from antipsychotic medications in treating delirium in ICUs, with no significant difference in duration or outcomes compared to placebo. The MIND USA study screened nearly 21,000 patients and found that these drugs bring risk without benefit.
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has launched a global initiative to integrate supportive and palliative care into cancer treatment. Twenty new institutions from Japan, Denmark, Estonia, and Qatar have been recognized as Designated Centres of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care.
For Syrian refugees in Brazil, food serves as a bridge to their past, recreating memories of Damascus, Homs, and Aleppo. It strengthens their sense of identity as Syrians, providing a connection to their homeland and a sense of belonging in their new life.
Ben-Gurion University researchers have partnered with the University of Chicago and Northwestern University to tackle some of the world's most pressing water-related challenges. The trilateral collaboration aims to develop innovative solutions using an interdisciplinary approach.
The University of Texas at Arlington and Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division have signed an Education Partnership Agreement to share scientific assets, involve faculty and students in U.S. Navy research projects, and develop educational courses.
A systematic review of quantitative studies on the relationship between education and political violence found that increasing education levels in the population reduces most forms of armed conflict. The study also highlights the importance of addressing systemic inequalities in access to education between religious and ethnic groups, ...
Researchers found that the order of response options on online questionnaires affects respondents' choices, with people without a degree more likely to choose the first option. The study also showed that questionnaire design can impact responses, with grid designs reducing the primacy effect.
Research found that patients discharged between 1300-0100 were more likely to be readmitted compared to those discharged during earlier or later hours. Smoking cessation education also played a role in reducing readmission likelihood, with former smokers being more prone to rehospitalization.
Researchers created a conflict management education intervention to improve ICU team knowledge, mindfulness, and awareness. The study found that participants' knowledge and perception scores increased following the intervention.
A study found that despite a well-designed low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening program, only 77.6% of eligible veterans underwent annual repeat scans. This highlights the need for improved adherence to lung cancer screening to maximize mortality benefits and cost-efficacy.
Researchers found that acute respiratory failure, obstetric hemorrhage, and hypertensive disorders were common indications for mechanical ventilation. Factors associated with higher mortality included vasopressor use, blood transfusions, neurological dysfunction, coagulopathy, and ARDS.
The study found a significant decrease in overall mortality in septic shock from 51.7% to 39.3% between 2004 and 2014, with shorter hospital stays also observed.
A comprehensive intervention in elementary school can lead to lasting effects and disrupt pathways to school dropout. Students who participated in City Connects had about half the odds of dropping out of high school compared to non-intervention students, with a dropout rate of 9.2% versus 16.6%.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota's Sustainable Healthy Cities Network found that one in five metropolitan areas have sufficient milk and egg production to meet residents' demands, while about one in ten can fully meet fruit and vegetable needs. This challenges common assumptions about local food self-reliance in urban areas.
A new study by Indiana University found that online social forums for class networking improve physics students' success in calculus-based physics courses. The study analyzed data from a course where students participated in an online forum and found that those who were most central in the network achieved higher final grades.
The University of Konstanz will lead a new research initiative to explore social cohesion from a cultural studies perspective. Researchers will investigate the role of socio-economic factors, mass media, and collective feelings in promoting social cohesion.
A new study by Vanderbilt University researchers found that highly rated principals use 'strategic retention' to keep high-performing teachers and remove low-performing ones. Effective principals focus on teacher observation scores to identify underperformers, using informal methods such as counseling out.
The GW Health Careers Opportunity Program aims to create a more diverse health care workforce by introducing high school students to a health sciences-focused curriculum. The program addresses regional disparities in healthcare access and outcomes through partnerships with public schools, community colleges, and healthcare employers.
Stevens Institute of Technology has received $750,000 NSF RAISE-EQuIP grant funding to advance quantum communication research. Physicists Yuping Huang and Stefan Strauf will develop scalable integrated chip technology to create entangled photons for secure information networks.
The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation is awarding a S$9 million grant to NTU Singapore to establish a new postdoctoral fellowship programme. This will support up to 40 fellows from Sweden for two years of research at NTU, with the option to continue their research in Sweden after completion.
The Gerontological Society of America has selected 20 reporters to produce in-depth aging-focused stories, covering topics such as retirement security and immigration policies. The fellows will have access to expert attendees and researchers at the GSA's annual scientific meeting.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have successfully used spinal cord stimulation and physical therapy to enable a paralyzed man to stand and walk with assistance. The patient, who was paralyzed since 2013, achieved significant milestones during rehabilitation sessions, including walking over 102 meters and taking 331 steps.
A new study highlights the need for policy changes to allow private capital to invest in US water systems with aging infrastructure. The Journal of the American Water Resources Association article notes that public-private partnerships and loan guarantees are hindered by existing federal budgetary policies.
SourceWiley·JournalJAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association·DateSep 19, 2018
A recent study in the Australian Journal of Psychology found that heartfelt guilt leads to elevated arousal and biased preferences towards cleansing products. Participants who experienced guilt showed enhanced memory recall of threat words and a stronger desire for cleaning items.
An analysis of published studies reveals that being overweight or obese is associated with a one-third increase in risk of urinary incontinence for young to mid-aged women. The risk is doubled in women with obesity. The findings suggest that lifestyle interventions may play a role in preventing and managing incontinence.
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) will conduct a five-year study on the impacts of new tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The research team aims to evaluate product characteristics, health effects, and behavior, with the goal of protecting public health.
Tau Flow's computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology creates virtual prototypes of processes or environments, reducing time and money spent on trial and error methods. The company has successfully implemented its solution in various industries, including Formula 1, cosmetics, and mining.
Dr. Annick Bricaud received the 2018 Jerlov Award for her pioneering work in ocean optics, covering experimental and theoretical studies on seawater optical properties. Her research has been widely cited with over 11,400 citations, and she is a pioneer among female researchers in optical oceanography.
Nat Fisch, a renowned researcher at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, has received the 2018 Distinguished Career Award from Fusion Power Associates. The award recognizes his decades-long contributions to plasma science and fusion power, as well as his role in advancing education and research in the field.
Researchers at The University of Tokyo developed a computational tool that can learn from headcam footage to predict where the user's focus will next be targeted. This approach combines visual saliency with gaze prediction, achieving better results than existing methods.
A new Clemson University program, THINKER, aims to close the skills gap in advanced manufacturing by matching graduate students with technical college students. The program will equip students with both technical and soft skills, including communication and collaboration.
A new study from St. Michael's Hospital examines health-care interventions to support patients seeking work and identifies key features of successful interventions. These include multidisciplinary teams, packages of services, one-on-one tailored services, comprehensive views of social needs, and communication with employers.
A study found that brain teaser questions give interviewers power and speak to their dark personality traits, such as narcissism and sadistic tendencies. Participants who support the use of these questions were less socially competent and relied heavily on intuition in the hiring process.
Research suggests that living in greener neighborhoods can positively impact children's cognitive functioning, particularly in spatial working memory and mathematics performance. A study of 4758 English children found a strong association between neighborhood greenspace and improved spatial working memory.
A nationwide health claims analysis from Korea found smoking increases dementia risk, while quitting reduces it by up to 32%. Long-term quitters had a 14% lower risk of dementia compared to continual smokers, while never smokers had an 18% reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease.
SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateSep 6, 2018
A Baylor University study found that a supplemental drivers' education program increased teens' awareness of the consequences of risky driving. However, data from a follow-up period showed no significant impact on their behavior behind the wheel.
A new study reveals that genetic factors explain around two-thirds of individual differences in school achievement and 70% of the stability of educational achievement throughout schooling. Genetic influences also persist even after accounting for intelligence and noncognitive traits.
Girls and women face inadequate sanitation options, including lack of private toilets with doors and locks, resulting in stress, embarrassment, and physical discomfort. Mainstreaming female-friendly toilets could significantly impact meeting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals on health, education, and gender.
Karen Fredriksen-Goldsen, PhD, has been awarded the 2018 Maxwell A. Pollack Award for Productive Aging by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) in recognition of her work on translating research into practical application and policy. She is a leading scholar addressing equity and aging disparities in marginalized communities.
The NSF Research Traineeship program awards $51 million to develop and implement innovative graduate education models in STEM fields. The projects aim to prepare students with skills necessary to tackle complex societal problems, focusing on areas like data revolution, human-technology frontier, food, energy, and water systems.
A comprehensive case study found that Denver's parks don't adequately serve all city residents due to historical zoning codes and funding policies. The study suggests that improving park access for low-income people of color requires working with equity-oriented nonprofits and utilizing publicly owned land.
Carol Whitlatch, PhD, FGSA, has been recognized with the 2018 M. Powell Lawton Award from the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) for her groundbreaking research on dementia care and caregiving.