Research on teaching, learning, and how education works. Covers health-tech education, mentorship and fellowships, NIH training grants, and digital learning.
Researchers discovered financial contracts between tobacco companies and Hollywood stars, revealing a commercial link between the two industries. The study found that studios controlled their stars' agreements and timed ads to promote specific cigarette brands.
Researchers at Durham University found a giant black hole emitting a regular X-ray signal, linking it to smaller black holes. This discovery sheds light on how gas behaves around super-massive black holes as they feed and develop.
A new five-year research centre will be established in the East Midlands, focusing on improving patient care through innovative healthcare approaches. The Collaborative Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) will prioritize patients' needs and translate research findings into practical service improvements.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found that thrombolysis can be safely administered up to four and a half hours after an ischemic stroke, without significantly increasing the risk of hemorrhage complications or death. This extends the time window for treatment, potentially benefiting more patients.
The Association of Specialty Professors (ASP) has announced the seventh class of T. Franklin Williams Scholars, who will research and develop career plans focused on integrating geriatrics into internal medicine specialties. The 12 new scholars will join the previous 52 recipients to achieve the program's goal.
Recent research has shown a significant improvement in two-year survival rates for patients with multiple myeloma, from 48-66% in the 1980s to around 90% today. Potent new drugs have been instrumental in this breakthrough, offering improved outcomes without severe side effects.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has won two $3 million National Science Foundation grants to create graduate research programs focusing on computational biology and sustainable energy. The programs, STAIR and SCALE-IT, will support up to 15 graduate students each with significant stipends and tuition waivers.
Scientists have detected previously unnoticed chemical signals that individual cells in the immune system use to communicate with each other over short distances. The new technology, called a multi-trap nanophysiometer, has enabled the accidental discovery of paracrine signaling.
The study identified civic engagement as a distinct retirement role, characterized by volunteerism and paid work impacting the local community. Engaged retires differ significantly from those who volunteer less or do neither.
A study published in Neurology found that mental skills start declining years before death, with perceptual speed slowing down nearly 15 years before passing, and verbal abilities deteriorating around 6.5 years prior to death.
The University of Cincinnati's Economics Center for Education & Research has released a report grading the HDR Streetcar Feasibility Study, finding that it is sound and economically worthwhile. The proposed four-mile streetcar system could bring in $315.8 million in net economic payoff over 35 years.
A researcher is collecting coral spawn to study how corals respond to global warming. She hopes to acquire information about the impact of water temperature changes on corals and will use this knowledge to identify gene variants that provide resistance to abnormal water conditions.
The International Diabetes Federation is funding a two-year study to evaluate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing in improving self-management education for adults with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. The Baylor Healthcare System project aims to increase program completion rates and long-term diabetes control.
A study by researchers at UCSF found that California's state tobacco control program saved $86 billion in personal healthcare costs over 15 years. The program prevented 3.6 billion packs of cigarettes from being smoked, resulting in significant health cost reductions.
A new study at Montana State University's Western Transportation Institute will use in-car cameras to monitor the effect of Montana's driver's education modules on teen attitudes and behaviors behind the wheel. Researchers aim to understand how these programs can help teens become better drivers and reduce fatal car accidents.
University of Houston researchers Yuriy Fofanov and Lennart Johnsson have developed computational tools to monitor microbial community sizes and genomic diversity. Their technology aims to better understand how human activities affect microbial communities governing human health and life on Earth.
Researchers at Montana State University's Western Transportation Institute will use automated in-car cameras to gauge the effect of Montana's driver's education modules on teen attitudes and behaviors behind the wheel. The study aims to reduce drowsy and distracted driving, particularly in rural areas.
The J. Paul Sticht Center on Aging at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has been renewed as one of 11 nationwide Claude D. Pepper Older American Independence Centers. The center will receive almost $1 million each year to support clinical research in aging and promote functional independence among older adults.
The American Society of Hematology honors Clara D. Bloomfield, Kenneth Anderson, and Robert Kyle for their significant contributions to the understanding of hematologic diseases. Drs. Bloomfield and Anderson will be recognized for their work on acute myelogenous leukemia and multiple myeloma, respectively.
The University of Houston's Texas Obesity Research Center (TORC) is recruiting 500 participants for a study promoting healthy dietary habits and physical activity in the virtual world of Second Life. Participants will earn rewards and compete to win the International Health Challenge.
Thakur's work has advanced excellence in healthcare through the development of radiopharmaceuticals and imaging techniques, including a new monoclonal antibody for detecting infection. The 2008 Benedict Cassen Prize recognizes his major advance in basic or clinical nuclear medicine science.
A study found that people with gastrointestinal bleeding after a stroke are more likely to die or become severely disabled than those without GI bleeding. Gastrointestinal bleeding was associated with a higher risk of mortality and severe dependency, even after adjusting for other factors.
The DOE and USDA have awarded $10 million in grants to accelerate fundamental research on cellulosic biofuels, aiming to reduce dependence on imported oil and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The grants will support the development of cost-effective means of producing cellulosic biofuels from various plant materials.
Researchers use remote sensors to determine canopy cover in major horticultural crops, finding a strong correlation between normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values and measured fractional canopy cover. The study suggests that NDVI can be an efficient way to monitor growth stage and irrigation water demand for these crops.
Researchers found that olive varieties can thrive in moderate saline water irrigation, contrary to concerns about toxicity. The study showed significant differences in growth, yield, and oil parameters among tested cultivars.
A new linear garden concept has been studied for its potential to enhance roadsides while providing teaching gardens for students and community members. The project, led by Dr. Sandra Wilson, demonstrates the effectiveness of this space-saving approach in showcasing landscape plants commonly used in south-central Florida.
Using reclaimed wastewater for irrigation shows few detrimental effects on citrus trees, with improved appearance and fruit crop ratings. This sustainable practice reduces the need for groundwater withdrawal and minimizes environmental pollution.
Researchers at Yale University found that fall prevention educational campaigns and interventions can reduce elderly falls by 11%, resulting in fewer hip fractures and head injuries. The study suggests that embedding fall risk assessment and management into clinical practice can lead to significant cost savings.
Ohio State University students using clickers in physics lectures scored 10% higher on final exams than those without, leveling the playing field for male and female students. The technology may encourage more women to study science, addressing a US need for scientists and engineers.
A new study finds global warming could lead to larger changes in snowmelt in the western US, increasing wildfire risk and creating new water management challenges. The critical surface temperature feedback is twice as strong as projected, potentially accelerating warming.
The National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) has funded two research projects at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School to study the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. The three-year projects will focus on understanding the circulation's impact on climate and weather patterns.
A study by Helmholtz Association researchers found that over half of scientists had predominantly good contact with journalists, while four out of ten reported beneficial media coverage for their career. The study dispels the idea that German researchers struggle to communicate with the media.
Researchers across the US are calling for a national network of sites like MSU's Long-Term Ecological Research site at Kellogg Biological Station to address agriculture's challenges. A paper in BioScience suggests that a long-term interdisciplinary approach could help address key agricultural issues.
Resveratrol improves cardiovascular health, bone density, and motor coordination, while delaying cataracts and improving insulin sensitivity. The compound mimics the effects of dietary restriction without cutting calories.
Research found that women over age 90 are nearly twice as likely to have dementia as men of the same age group. The study also showed that the likelihood of having dementia doubled every five years for women, but not for men. Additionally, women with higher education were found to be 45% less likely to develop dementia.
This July/August issue of BioScience features articles on avian genomics, penguin populations, and the impact of human activities on wildlife. The journal also explores the role of biofuels in energy policy and genetic literacy among nonscience majors.
The American Society for Horticultural Science has released three new lilac cultivars with names 'Betsy Ross', 'Old Glory' and 'Declaration', paying tribute to US history. These new varieties boast unique traits such as abundant fragrant flowers, disease-tolerant foliage and a showy, fragrant floral display.
Dr. Philippe Tondeur, a prominent applied mathematician and UIUC professor, will receive the SIAM Prize for his extensive advocacy and support for mathematical sciences. His leadership has left a lasting impact on the field, influencing policy makers worldwide.
A study published in Neurology found that children with lower IQs are more likely to develop vascular dementia later in life. The research compared the cognitive abilities of 173 people who developed dementia to those who did not, and found a significant link between low childhood IQ and an increased risk of vascular dementia.
Jacob Whitehill, a UC San Diego Ph.D. student, has developed a proof-of-concept system that uses facial expression recognition to control video playback speed in real-time, allowing robots to adapt to individual learning needs.
A RAND Corporation study explores six urban regions' collaborations to increase access to arts learning for children. The initiatives demonstrate the potential of pooling resources and coordinating activities to make arts education a priority.
Research finds that people sometimes prioritize the greater good over their own interests, and poorly designed institutions can undermine this behavior. Examples include a study on day care center fines and blood donation rates., Experts argue that recognizing human altruism is crucial for designing effective policies and institutions.
Research by Mayo Clinic found that people with lower incomes and education levels are more likely to die after a heart attack. The study analyzed data from 705 patients treated for heart attack between 2002 and 2006, showing survival rates were lowest for those with the lowest income and education.
A new national study examines the rising number of golf cart-related injuries, finding a 132% increase over 17 years. The majority of these injuries occurred at sports and recreational facilities, but those on the street were more likely to result in concussions and hospitalizations.
The University of Texas at San Antonio's Institute for Cyber Security has been awarded $7.5 million in funding to develop and test security models for data transfer among government agencies. UTSA will lead a team with top universities, focusing on proactive information sharing to connect the dots
Researchers found that sirolimus can help protect against rejection in non-compliant kidney transplant patients, potentially extending their organ's lifespan. The study used an assay to measure immune function at 'trough' levels of immunosuppressive drugs.
Pasko Rakic's work has revealed how neurons in the developing cerebral cortex are generated and assembled into highly ordered circuits. His discoveries have transformed our understanding of brain function and development, with implications for treatments of brain disorders.
A new guideline developed by the American Academy of Neurology found that vertigo can be effectively treated with simple head and body movements. The Epley maneuver was deemed safe and effective for people of all ages, while restrictions on activity after treatment were not supported.
A new University of Illinois study found that public school students made significantly greater gains in math scores by fifth grade compared to their Catholic school peers. Public schools rivaled the performance of other non-Catholic private schools, suggesting they are at least as effective in promoting student learning over time.
This year’s JDRF award recipients are Dr. Michael Brownlee for his work on the biochemical basis of diabetic complications, Dr. Maike Sander for her understanding of insulin-producing cells, and Dr. Michael German for his research on pancreatic beta cell structure and development.
A 3-year 'Greener Voices' study reveals children will engage more in gardening when given responsibility for planning and decision-making. Researchers found that adult assumptions about children's involvement can hinder their participation.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a computer-based simulation program, CASPER, to help patients with asthma manage their disease. The program allows patients to practice making key decisions in a safe, simulated environment, improving their ability to consistently treat their asthma.
The International Diabetes Federation is funding the STOP Diabetes project to address lifestyle-related metabolic diseases and promote healthy behaviors. The project aims to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in women by encouraging healthy behaviors.
Researchers found that a mixture of 70%-80% Kentucky bluegrass and 30%-20% perennial ryegrass provides the best results for football fields. Planting in late summer also yields superior turf quality compared to spring plantings.
A survey of Minnesota gardeners found that 78% preferred informal advice from friends and neighbors over university extension services. University information was viewed as higher quality but lacked convenient online access, posing a challenge to universities and arboreta.
Christopher Hoffman has been awarded a prestigious $70,000 AMS Centennial Fellowship to continue his research on probabilistic models from statistical physics. He will focus on stochastic growth processes at the Institut Mittag-Leffler and Centre de Recherches Mathematiques.
Dr. Krishna P.C. Madhavan has received a $511,824 NSF CAREER Award to investigate how virtual environments can enhance learning outcomes for engineering students. His research aims to bridge the gap between advanced engineering research and curricula, creating highly adaptive learning experiences.
Researchers found that lower wealth is associated with increased stroke risk up to age 65, while wealth is not a predictor of stroke beyond age 65. This study suggests that addressing the large wealth gap at age 50-64 may help reduce disparities in stroke incidence.
The Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation has been awarded a five-year, $25.5 million contract by the Federal Highway Administration to conduct a 20-year research study on bridge performance. The study aims to collect uniform data on bridge performance nationwide to inform bridge management decisions.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will solicit public input on establishing a HCPCS code for medicinal maggots. Medical maggots have been used in the US for over 80 years and can save thousands of dollars in medical costs, but CMS has not provided reimbursement codes.