Research on teaching, learning, and how education works. Covers health-tech education, mentorship and fellowships, NIH training grants, and digital learning.
Four Pennsylvania science teachers participated in a research expedition to study hydrothermal vents and active volcanoes on the ocean floor. The teachers worked with international scientists to understand how communities of animals live on these structures and developed new lesson plans for their students.
The center will focus on 'designed' materials using computer-based analysis, modeling, and simulation to create tailored fibers and films. The project aims to reduce operating costs exponentially and generate over $200 billion in industry-wide revenue.
Scientists discover that adding defects to materials can enhance their performance in semiconductor devices, leading to breakthroughs in information technology, high-speed communications, and the development of new LED technologies. Researchers are also exploring ways to exploit defects in optical fibers to increase bandwidth capacities.
A new educational program for third and fourth-grade children significantly lowers cholesterol levels and improves cardiovascular health within eight weeks. The classroom-wide approach is more effective than targeted small groups, suggesting a need for policy changes at the elementary school level.
The Westwood-Squibb Center for Dermatology Research will examine the impact of managed care on dermatology and advance the specialty through dissemination of information and examination of ethical practices. The center aims to improve skin care and address economic, ethical, and policy issues in dermatology.
A recent study highlights the importance of delivering bad news effectively to patients with cancer and other serious illnesses. The findings emphasize that withholding information or breaking bad news abruptly can exacerbate distress, while honest and empathetic communication can lead to better adjustment in the long term.
A new University of Michigan study suggests that Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in California are doing a better job of selecting high-quality hospitals for their patients. In the study, researchers found that HMO enrollees were more likely to receive care from above-average hospitals compared to those with other insurance plans.
Researchers at Purdue are testing the effectiveness of golf courses in filtering surface water and studying urban environmental issues. The course is also being used to investigate various creeping bentgrass cultivars and methods to control annual bluegrass, with goals including reducing transplant shock in newly planted trees.
A Duke University Medical Center study found that biological differences and later diagnosis contribute to the disparity in survival between black and white prostate cancer patients. The study surveyed 231 men from North Carolina and ruled out unequal treatment as the root cause of the higher mortality rate among blacks.
The DFG's new programme aims to promote the independence of young scientists by providing funding for research work abroad and independent research at German universities. It targets especially qualified young scientists and will handle 100 new grants per year, with up to DM 120 million in funding.
Researchers suggest that anti-smoking programs should focus on countering the influence of parent smoking, rather than just peer pressure. Early interventions may help modify risk factors such as low behavioral self-control and parental monitoring.
A new study found that the biggest factor in student cheating is the instructor, with tenured or tenure-track faculty reducing cheating. Professors can reduce cheating by offering multiple exam versions, giving verbal warnings, and using additional proctors, making students 25-13-11 percent less likely to cheat.
The new CERIAS center will address information security issues from various perspectives, including sociology, psychology, criminology, and economics. It will provide training opportunities for students and work with industry and government researchers worldwide.
The Society of Actuaries (SOA) honored ten authors with top awards for their research in actuarial modeling, including the Lew Award and Anderson Memorial Award. The SOA's Committee on Knowledge Extension Research chose winning papers based on achievement in actuarial modeling research.
Researchers at Eastern Oregon University developed a new method to assess salt content in fish, reducing waste and ensuring food safety. The technique uses near-infrared spectrophotometry to analyze the salt content of live fish, allowing for precise addition of salt to meet safety standards.
Researchers at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service are working on a new synthetic trap to lure and capture potato beetles. The trap uses an artificial plant odor that mimics the scent released by damaged plants, which attracts the beetles.
A recent study found that women in public housing lack factual knowledge about specific health risks and benefits of quitting. Concerns about general health were the primary motivator for quitting, but perceptions of addiction hindered actual plans to quit.
A new device, patented by Sandia National Laboratories, uses a color-changing material to detect when frozen food has thawed and been refrozen, potentially posing food safety risks. The device, which can be made for pennies per unit, relies on an inexpensive 'smart' wire that changes shape at specific temperatures.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a 'risk index' using patient survey data to predict undesirable outcomes in asthma patients. The study found that factors such as recent oral steroid use, high beta agonist puffs per day, and non-white race can indicate future attacks.
Researchers found that a specific component of neural circuitry in the prefrontal cortex is altered in most people with schizophrenia, leading to disturbances in complex thinking processes. The study suggests that this alteration may be a specific brain disturbance in the disease process of schizophrenia.
Penn State's Pennsylvania Transportation Institute (PTI) will conduct research, education, and technology transfer programs for PennDOT through the five-year, $15 million agreement. PTI will also assist in assembling focused teams from universities and colleges to support PennDOT's projects.
A new computer software called Intelligent Essay Assessor uses mathematical analysis to measure essay knowledge content. It has been extensively tested and published in peer-reviewed journals, providing consistent results that surpass human graders.
Luther S. Williams, a prominent NSF scientist, has been awarded the William A. Hinton Research Training Award for his contributions to fostering minority participation in microbiology research. The award recognizes his dedication to mentoring students from underrepresented groups and promoting diversity in STEM fields.
The SOAR telescope, a state-of-the-art facility in Chile, will enable researchers to study the universe like never before. It will collect 3,400 times more light than the original telescope, allowing for observations of dimmer objects and stars at greater distances.
According to a new survey by the National Center for Early Development and Learning, nearly half of US teachers are concerned about children's ability to follow directions and academic skills when entering kindergarten. The study also found that concerns were less frequent in suburban and rural schools, as well as among less experience...
Research-related gifts from companies pose ethical quandries for scientists, with over half accepting gifts and 66% finding them important to their research. The study recommends guidelines for accepting industrial gifts to avoid problematic expectations and restrictions.
The Fiber and Electro-Optics Research Center at Virginia Tech has received a $9.6 million grant from the Naval Research Laboratory to develop new technologies in microelectronics and nanostructured materials. Researchers aim to create more efficient devices with improved electronic, optical, mechanical properties.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that growth factors, known for controlling immune cell production, also increase the ability of immune cells to take up vitamin C. This discovery sheds light on the connection between vitamin C and the immune system, showing how growth factors can boost immune function.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill will study nanotube-based materials with potential applications in energy storage and display technology. The five-year grant aims to understand the chemical, mechanical, and electrical properties of these molecules.
A five-year educational campaign in Thailand has dramatically cut HIV infections and sexually transmitted diseases among young army draftees. The program, which promoted condom use, reduced the HIV rate by a factor of five and STDs by a factor of ten among those studied.
GrantsNet provides an extensive database of fellowships, grants, and funding opportunities for young biomedical scientists. The site offers insights from previous recipients, tips for improving chances of receiving support, and information on various programs.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine are studying how cells sense, respond, and adapt to physical forces. They aim to develop interventional drugs, gene-therapies, and blood-clot-dissolving enzymes for diseased vessels.
Research suggests that communities with strong commitments to education and supportive parenting have more effective schools, while lack of resources can hinder educational success. Summer vacation activities also impact learning outcomes, with middle-income children making gains during this time, whereas low-income children do not.
Penn State researchers are collecting and analyzing urine samples from women aged 35-60 to understand patterns of change during perimenopause. The study aims to identify changes leading up to menopause, which could benefit women and their physicians in making choices about hormone replacement therapy.
The study found significant variations in stroke diagnostic tests, therapies, and patient outcomes among academic medical centers. Researchers aim to devise constructive ways to improve and standardize medical care by exploring the association between practices and desired outcomes.
A new study by UNC-CH researchers finds that Black workers in North Carolina face a 50% higher job fatality rate than white workers, despite similar job types. Direct personal discrimination at the worksite is a possible explanation for this excess risk.
The Donaghue Foundation has awarded Yale a five-year, $6.5 million grant to enhance its leadership role in women's health research. The program aims to support original and interdisciplinary research projects that address understudied aspects of women's health.
The Virginia Tech Center for Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing (CEARS) will provide detailed maps and spatial data to support informed development project decisions. CEARS will leverage NASA's resources and expertise to advance remote sensing research, education, and outreach.
JoAnn Burkholder, a North Carolina State University researcher, was awarded the 1998 Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award for her unyielding pursuit of knowledge about Pfiesteria piscicida, a microbe devastating U.S. rivers and fish. Her research led to the identification of the toxin's chemical structure and faster-acting poiso...
Researchers identified 29 barriers to end-of-life care discussions, including patient and physician reluctance. Despite most patients wanting to discuss their care preferences, only a minority actually do so.
A new study conducted at the University of Michigan found that 95% of pregnant women surveyed thought an ultrasound was important for their normal, healthy pregnancies. The survey also revealed that women would pay out of pocket for a routine ultrasound exam and felt it was very important to see their baby.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found a way to increase vitamin C levels in the brain by crossing the blood brain barrier. They achieved this by injecting dehydroascorbic acid, which is converted to ascorbic acid in the brain.
Duke engineers will develop computer software to provide students with easy-to-use simulations of imaging equipment, enhancing training of biomedical engineers and physicians. The Virtual Imaging Laboratory will also be established to teach the physics and design of diagnostic technologies.
A study found that reading intervention, particularly emphasizing specific words during reading sessions, can significantly benefit children with language delays. Researchers worked with 14 children aged 3-5 and their parents, who read two picture books daily for six weeks.
The Whitaker Foundation has awarded $6.8 million in grants to improve biomedical engineering education at six US universities and one in Canada. The grants will support the creation of new graduate programs, research initiatives, and infrastructure development.
The agreement between Virginia Tech and Singapore will focus on building a distributed content-management system for bibliographic, multilingual, full-text, image, and video information. The collaboration aims to provide an environment for more efficient and effective learning, with educators acting as facilitators and oracles.
A large study has found that blunt blows from baseballs, hockey pucks, and other high-velocity objects can disrupt the heart's rhythm, leading to sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes. Most victims had normal hearts and were under 16 years old at the time of their death.
Researchers found that only three of 39 physicians ordered an MRI for a patient with low yield, while others suggested it in the future or referred her to a neurologist. Physicians often failed to use recommended communication skills, such as asking about the patient's friend's experience with MS.
A new study found that vegetarian diets combined with vigorous exercise or moderate alcohol intake can significantly lower the risk of coronary artery disease. The research also showed that running and drinking were linked to increased levels of good cholesterol in both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
A new Fetal Echocardiography website aims to improve detection of congenital heart disease using an expert system that guides physicians and technicians in interpreting fetal sonograms. The beta version of the program has been accessed over 7,000 times since its online launch in August 1996.
The article presents data on crash rates and driver experience to argue in favor of adopting graduated licensing systems. An ideal system starts learner's process at age 16, limits graduation until age 18, and restricts late-night driving.
Researchers at Emory University's Center for Clinical Evaluation Sciences are developing a model to help health professionals appreciate population-based research and its value in answering questions about patient care. The center is designing an intensive one-week workshop for clinicians, set to launch in Spring 1998.
The Society of Actuaries is hosting a conference on risk measurement for financial services, bringing together experts to discuss integrated approaches. The event is timely with the Securities and Exchange Commission's new market risk disclosure rules.
The World Wide Web Consortium has formed a new initiative to address web accessibility for people with disabilities. Judy Brewer, director of the International Program Office, will discuss the activities and impact of accessible design, as well as marketing benefits for non-disabled technology users.
Research by Steven Woloshin, MD, found that inadequate tangible support is a significant predictor of death and greater functional deterioration among patients who have suffered a heart attack. Patients who felt they needed more help were 3.2 times more likely to die than those who did not need any help.
Researchers will focus on assessing earthquake resistance and retrofitting options for major structures in urban areas. The project aims to develop more sophisticated criteria for earthquake hazard prevention, potentially saving $10 or more in building costs for every dollar spent on research.
A new study by the University of Georgia suggests that older adults often struggle with using ATMs due to lack of training and design flaws. The researchers propose several suggestions for banks to improve ATM usability, including improved lighting, error correction mechanisms, and user-friendly interfaces.
The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements is expanding its research support for dietary supplements, with new grants focused on the role of antioxidants in preventing cataract development and intestinal supplementation of amino acids in infants. The ODS will also continue to fund five existing studies in various areas of health and disease.
Researchers developed a program to target high-sensation seeking teens, showing promise in reducing illicit drug use among adolescents. The study found decreased use of liquor and marijuana, increased perceived risks of substance abuse, and a greater increase in negative attitudes towards drugs for high-sensation seekers.
The W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation has donated $5 million to create an endowment for Scholars in Medical Research at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The program aims to recruit the world's most promising young medical scientists and provide them with research funds, mentorship, and resources to accelerate their careers.