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Study shows even injured kidneys can be used for transplants

A Yale-led study found that donated kidneys with acute injury are associated with delayed graft function but not poor long-term transplant outcomes. The research suggests that injured kidneys could be used for transplants, potentially increasing the number of available organs and improving survival rates for patients on dialysis.

SourceYale University·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateMar 11, 2015

Physicists sound warning to 'nail beauty fanatics'

Researchers have devised equations to identify physical laws governing nail growth, shedding light on common nail problems like ingrown toenails. Daily poor trimming can tip the balance of nails, causing residual stress that leads to shape changes and potential serious conditions.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysical Biology·DateOct 16, 2014

'Tickling' your ear could be good for your heart

A team at the University of Leeds used a standard TENS machine to apply electrical pulses to the tragus, reducing nervous signals that can drive failing hearts too hard. The stimulation changed the influence of the nervous system on the heart by increasing heart rate variability and suppressing sympathetic nervous system activity.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalBrain Stimulation·DateAug 19, 2014

New trigger for ovulation could make IVF safer

Researchers have successfully used kisspeptin to stimulate ovulation in women undergoing IVF treatment, reducing the risk of OHSS. Twelve babies were born after their mothers received the hormone injection, with 12 becoming pregnant and nine having healthy embryos transferred.

SourceImperial College London·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 18, 2014

Love is a many-faceted thing

Researchers found that regular churchgoers, married people, and those with harmonious social ties are most satisfied with their love lives. The study also revealed that education does not impact love life satisfaction but religious involvement does, with believers having positive attitudes towards their relationships.

SourceSpringer·JournalApplied Research in Quality of Life·DateApr 9, 2014

Head out to the ski slopes, for happiness' sake

A study by Hyun-Woo Lee and colleagues found that skiing and snowboarding experiences enhance happiness and satisfaction. Flow, or losing oneself in the activity, had the greatest direct impact on satisfaction, followed by involvement. The research supports positive psychology's benefits of physical activity in enhancing well-being.

SourceSpringer·JournalApplied Research in Quality of Life·DateDec 2, 2013

Better management of free time ensures happier retirement

A study published in Springer's journal Applied Research in Quality of Life found that effective management of free time has a far greater impact on a retiree's quality of life than the amount of time available. By planning and scheduling their free time, retirees can improve their overall well-being and happiness.

SourceSpringer·JournalApplied Research in Quality of Life·DateAug 22, 2013

OU awarded OCAST applied research grant

A University of Oklahoma research team has received a $236,000 grant to develop and commercialize IV-VI semiconductor mid-infrared detectors. The OU detector outperforms commercially available products and could gain significant market share, creating local high-tech businesses and jobs.

Forensic sciences are 'fraught with error'

Classic psychological research on expectancy and observer effects reveals flaws in forensic science, including the influence of human examiners and flawed evidence. The study proposes best practice recommendations to reduce confirmation biases and improve the quality of the judicial system.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition·DateApr 22, 2013

You are feeling sleepy...

A new approach combines pupillography with blinking assessment to measure alertness, sidestepping subjective assessment by healthcare workers. The method has been successfully tested on two groups of volunteers and links blink, pupillary indices and subjective sleepiness.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Bioinformatics Research and Applications·DateOct 10, 2012

Songs in the key of sea

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have created a musical representation of microbial data, revealing intriguing patterns and relationships. The 'sonified' data showcases the natural structures in oceanic environments, offering a new way to visualize biological phenomena.

Time on your hands -- good or bad?

A balanced amount of spare time is crucial for happiness in a consumer society. Materialistic teenagers with compulsive buying issues need just the right amount of leisure time to feel happier. Moderate time affluence alleviates negative side effects of material values and compulsive buying on adolescent happiness.

SourceSpringer·JournalApplied Research in Quality of Life·DateOct 19, 2011

The hunt for the lunar core

Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered a core with an iron-rich center, resembling Earth's core, using array processing techniques on Apollo seismic data. The discovery sheds light on the lunar interior's composition and structure, providing insights into the Moon's ancient origins.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateJan 6, 2011

Walk places, meet people and build social capital

A study by Shannon Rogers and her team found that living in a walkable neighborhood is associated with increased civic involvement, trust, and social connections. Residents in more walkable areas reported better health, happiness, and community involvement.

SourceSpringer·JournalApplied Research in Quality of Life·DateDec 7, 2010

Background music can impair performance, cites new study

Researchers from <i>Applied Cognitive Psychology</i> found that listening to music can impair cognitive performance during tasks, even when participants enjoy the music. The study suggests that the acoustical variation in musical environments affects recall and mental arithmetic.

SourceWiley·JournalApplied Cognitive Psychology·DateJul 27, 2010