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ResearchChannel partners with NSF

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is partnering with ResearchChannel to create science-themed programming for cable television, the Internet, and other media. The partnership will feature lectures from distinguished scientists, panel discussions on ongoing NSF-funded research, and institutional research series.

On-screen smoking in movies linked to young adult smoking behavior

A new study by the University of California, San Francisco, found that exposure to on-screen smoking in movies is strongly correlated with beginning or becoming established smokers among young adults aged 18-25. The research team also identified positive expectations about smoking and exposure to friends and relatives who smoke as key ...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateOct 2, 2007

OSU 3-for-3 in NSF competition

Oklahoma State University has received $1.5M in NSF grants to acquire two new instruments: a field emission environmental scanning electron microscope and an LTQ mass spectrometer. These instruments will enhance research capabilities in areas of interest to industry, government, and other universities.

Test scores slow under No Child Left Behind reforms, gauged by states/federal assessment

A recent study by Bruce Fuller and colleagues found that progress in raising test scores was stronger before No Child Left Behind was approved, compared to the four years following enactment of the law. The researchers tracked progress in both state and federal test scores in 12 diverse states, going back to 1992, and found that annual...

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateJul 30, 2007

Many doctors don't use patients' names on first visit

A study by Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that 78% of survey respondents wanted to be greeted by a doctor's name, while only half addressed the patient by name in first-time visits. The researchers recommend using patients' first and last names for a respectful and comfortable introduction.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateJun 11, 2007

Solving sudokus -- Coloring by numbers

Researchers use graph theory to analyze Sudoku puzzles, finding that at least 8 of the 9 numbers must appear as given entries for a puzzle to have only one solution. They also explore unsolved problems in graph theory and argue that the number of distinct Sudoku puzzles is around 5.5 billion.

SourceAmerican Mathematical Society·JournalNotices of the American Mathematical Society·DateJun 8, 2007

Evolution of animal personalities

Researchers propose that animal personalities evolve due to trade-offs between current and future reproduction, with cautious individuals investing more in future opportunities. This leads to populations with consistently risk-averse or risk-prone personality traits.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalNature·DateMay 30, 2007

Award-winning staffer honored by peers

Laura Wade, associate director at the Texas Center for Superconductivity, has received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Council of University Research Administrators. Her colleagues praised her commitment to the profession, citing her tireless efforts in grant proposals and educational workshops.

JDRF announces 2007 Scholar Award recipients

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation announced the 2007 Scholar Award recipients, providing $250,000 annually for up to five years to support groundbreaking research. The selected researchers aim to accelerate type 1 diabetes research and find a cure for this devastating disease.

SourceJDRF·DateMay 15, 2007

Findings suggest current approach to drug discovery for Lou Gehrig's disease be re-examined

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found an absolute biochemical distinction between sporadic and hereditary forms of Lou Gehrig's disease, suggesting that current approaches to drug discovery should be re-examined. This distinction may impact therapeutic strategies for ALS patients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateMay 7, 2007

UD chemical engineer receives NSF career award

Thomas H. Epps III, a recipient of the prestigious Faculty Early Career Development Award from the National Science Foundation, is advancing the development of high-performance materials through his research on block copolymers. His five-year grant will support the creation of nanoscale materials with unique properties, potentially lea...

A remedy for what ails medicine

A landmark five-year study explores the under-representation of women and minority faculty in leadership and senior positions in academic medicine. The National Initiative on Gender, Culture and Leadership in Medicine aims to foster the advancement of women and minority physicians in academic medicine.