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Idaho STEM gets million dollar boost

The University of Idaho is launching a new STEM Educational Research Initiative, supported by a four-year, $1.2 million funding from the Micron Technology Foundation. The initiative aims to identify and address root causes of why Idaho students may not perform well in STEM fields and develop programs to overcome those barriers.

Educational researcher devotes May issue to 'Report of the National Early Literacy Panel'

The May issue of Educational Researcher provides a significant scholarly review of the National Early Literacy Panel (NELP) Report, which presents findings on early literacy measures correlating with later literacy achievement. The report also examines teaching methods and language development in preschool and kindergarten settings.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateMay 31, 2010

Peptides may hold 'missing link' to life

Researchers at Emory University have discovered that simple peptides can organize into bi-layer membranes, a 'missing link' between pre-biotic Earth's chemical inventory and the scaffolding essential to life. This finding may also shed light on protein assemblies related to Alzheimer's disease, Type 2 diabetes, and other serious ailments.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMay 6, 2010

Study finds everolimus-eluting stent safer, more effective than paclitaxel-eluting stent

The study found that everolimus-eluting stents demonstrated enhanced safety and efficacy compared to paclitaxel-eluting stents in treating de novo native coronary artery lesions. The trial showed a significant reduction in target-lesion failure and ischemia-driven TLR rates with the use of everolimus-eluting stents.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 5, 2010

Knowledge is power in Penn State blood pressure study

A study led by Penn State researchers found that an educational intervention, combined with home blood pressure monitoring, significantly improved patient knowledge and has the potential to lower blood pressure. The project aims to empower patients with high blood pressure to take control of their health.

Sensitive nerve cells

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology have demonstrated using a new animal model that nerve cells do not begin to die until three conditions are met in Parkinson's disease. This finding is an important step forward in understanding this illness and may offer a potential new direction for therapy.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 6, 2010

Brown University-led team discovers how bats avoid collisions

Researchers at Brown University have found that echolocating bats use mental templates to differentiate between broadcast and echo signals, allowing them to minimize sound wave interference. By tweaking sound frequency, bats can create a unique template for each broadcast/echo set, enabling efficient navigation in cluttered environments.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2010

State tax incentives for filmmakers has opposite desired effect

A study by Susan Christopherson and Ned Rightor found that film subsidy programs reduce finite state funds, benefit few citizens, and foster a race-to-the-bottom mentality. The researchers argue that policy makers need to carefully evaluate the methods used to rationalize public expenditures on incentives for economic development.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Planning Education and Research·DateMar 22, 2010