News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
The PredictND project will test novel approaches for earlier diagnosis of memory disorders and detect individuals at high risk. The project aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of clinical practice.
A new study predicts that most of Europe will experience higher warming than the global average if surface temperatures rise to 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. This could lead to increased evaporation and drought in regions like Spain, Portugal, and France, as well as more frequent extreme precipitation events and flood risks.
New research from Concordia University suggests that bilingual children, like monolingual peers, prefer interactions with those speaking their mother tongue with a native accent. This bias may be related to children's preference for familiarity, according to the study.
Researchers at University of Oxford are using patient stories to stimulate change in healthcare. They've found that small changes, such as clocks on the wall for intensive care patients or more comfortable pillows, can greatly improve patient experience. This approach brings compassion and dignity back to the fore.
The study found that seven per cent of the current global population would be living on land that would be below sea level if temperatures increased above pre-industrial levels by 3°C in the next 2000 years. The impact on cultural heritage sites, including iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Sydney Opera House, is severe.
ICFO researchers develop plasmonic nano-tweezers that trap and manipulate nano-scale objects without mechanical contact, enabling 3D displacement. This technique has potential applications in medicine and nanotechnology.
Disney researchers found that teams with more defensive role swaps are more likely to make three-point shots. They analyzed tracking data from the 2012-13 NBA season and found a significant correlation between role swaps and shot success.
Researchers discovered the process by which gas from coniferous trees creates particles that can reflect sunlight or promote cloud formation. The study estimates pine forests as a dominant source of aerosols over boreal regions.
Researchers are studying behavior of Android apps to develop techniques to spot malicious apps and enrich devices to counteract attacks. The study aims to address the growing threat of colluding apps that can bypass security measures and steal sensitive information.
Scientists found that Pine Island Glacier thinned rapidly 8000 years ago, similar to its current rate of thinning. This suggests the glacier may continue to lose mass for decades to come due to ocean-driven melting.
The American Heart Association has funded 112 studies at Loyola since 1984, with the latest award bringing the total to $10.6 million. Loyola is recognized as one of the top 50 hospitals nationwide for cardiology and heart surgery.
A new study published in IOP Publishing's journal Environmental Research Letters warns that abrupt stopping of the geoengineering method could lead to rapid and extensive warming. The researchers found that global temperatures could more than double if the method is implemented for a multi-decadal period and then suddenly stopped.
A team of Leeds researchers has built the world's most powerful terahertz laser chip, more than doubling previous records. The achievement showcases the expertise developed at Leeds in fabricating layered semiconductors and engineering them into powerful laser devices.
Research by T. Brad Harris and colleagues found that perceived job insecurity is linked to lower use of workplace support programs, increased work-life conflict, and emotional exhaustion. To address this issue, organizations should communicate the value of these programs and help employees recognize their worth.
Researchers from British Antarctic Survey demonstrated a new method using Very High Resolution satellite imagery and image processing software to automatically detect and count whales breeding in the Golfo Nuevo, Peninsula Valdes. This semi-automated technique has been shown to achieve 89% accuracy in identifying probable whales.
Researchers have discovered that ocean mesopelagic fish biomass is at least 10 times higher than estimated, with significant implications for the planet's biogeochemical cycles. These deep-sea fish play a crucial role in transporting CO2 to the ocean floor and increasing oxygen consumption.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that mesopelagic fish have a stock estimated at 10,000 million tons, surpassing previous estimates of 1,000 million tons. This discovery has significant implications for the understanding of carbon fluxes in the ocean and the operation of ocean deserts.
A federally sponsored plan has been successful in addressing the challenges of prioritizing and coordinating strategies to curb health care-acquired infections. The plan has also been associated with reductions in the rates of health care-associated infection rates, with progress made toward most targets where data are available.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative-Kenya aims to improve girls' lives in Kenya through health, wealth creation, education, and violence-prevention sectors. The program will reach at least 10,000 girls ages 10-14 with rigorous evaluation to determine the most effective interventions.
The UK has established three new synthetic biology research centres, with £40M+ investment, to drive advancement in modern synthetic biology research and develop new technologies. The centres will focus on diverse expertise to stimulate innovation in this area.
Researchers discovered novel approach using llama-derived antibodies to control deadly C. difficile infections by targeting the pathogen's toxin proteins. This breakthrough provides opportunities for creating more effective treatments.
Clemson University researcher Jimmy Sanderson will present on communication strategies for managing concussions in sports at the Connecticut Concussion Conference. The conference aims to discuss solutions for schools and youth sport organizations to mitigate concussions and legal risks, a topic of growing public health concern.
A collaborative effort between the GENEFA Platform and FARA has secured $100,000 in annual funding for a two-year research project to develop a gene therapy-based treatment for Friedreich's ataxia. The project aims to rescue a mutated frataxin gene defect in cells of the central nervous system.
A new 3D imaging technique has been developed to visualize the behavior of cosmetic fillers in facial tissue. The technique allows researchers to pinpoint the cause of complications and develop treatments to reverse the damage, preventing irreversible scarring.
A University of Montreal study analyzed 10,000 dream narratives to compare nightmares and bad dreams, finding that nightmares have greater emotional impact than bad dreams and often feature themes such as fear, sadness, guilt, or disgust. The researchers also found that women's nightmares more frequently involve interpersonal conflicts.
Research reveals that Bermuda bluebirds have distinct physiological differences compared to their continental counterparts, with lighter weights and longer wings. The study also found that island nestlings grow slower and face higher mortality rates than their mainland peers.
Researchers have recovered the genome of a 7,000-year-old individual from La Braña-Arintero site in Spain, revealing surprising genetic traits. The ancient European hunter-gatherer had African versions of genes that determine light skin and blue eyes, suggesting he had dark skin and a unique phenotype.
The JILA strontium lattice clock has set new world records for both precision and stability, achieving a precision of about 50% more than the record holder. Its stability is comparable to that of NIST's ytterbium atomic clock, allowing it to outperform other types of atomic clocks through averaging.
Researchers found that homing pigeons memorize flight paths better in landscapes with visual complexity like rural areas with hedges. Pigeons struggle to remember routes in very open or dense environments.
Researchers used custom-built GPS and accelerometer loggers attached to free-flying birds to study their aerodynamics in V-formation. The study found that birds precisely time their wing flaps to maximize upwash capture, while avoiding areas of downwash.
A new study presents a carbon nanotube sponge that can absorb water contaminants, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals, with improved efficiency. The sponge's porous structure and rough surface enable it to absorb oils and solvents up to 150 times its initial weight.
The Queen's team received the award for their paper on polymeric microneedle arrays prepared by a novel laser-based micromoulding technique. Their breakthrough research has developed tiny projections that can painlessly penetrate the skin and deliver medication or monitor drug levels without drawing blood.
A recent study finds that narcissistic leaders face a double-edged sword, with extremely high or low levels of narcissism leading to poorer organizational outcomes. Moderation is key, as confidence without antisocial tendencies can lead to effective leadership.
Research at Uppsala University found that rare mitochondrial genes are associated with better survival and reproductive outcomes in a common beetle species. The study suggests that these genetic variations play a crucial role in maintaining genetic diversity.
Scientists have created stealth compounds programmed to respond to specific signals, allowing for targeted detection of diseases and potential delivery of potent drugs. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize disease diagnosis and treatment, enabling early detection and precise treatment strategies.
Researchers found identical pigment compositions between hunter-gatherer and farmer styles, challenging previous theories. The artists used iron oxides and terrigenous materials easily found in their environment.
A £8 million project at the University of Leeds is developing new technologies to handle different types of spent fuels, packaging and storing waste, and dealing with nuclear sludges. The research consortium brings together academics, industry experts, and government advisors to tackle Britain's nuclear legacy.
Researchers find open collaboration is likely to expand into new areas, displacing traditional organizations. The study explains how open collaboration operates and succeeds even in harsh environments.
A study by Matthew Browne found that to demonstrate skill at horserace handicapping, bettors would need to place over 10,000 bets with net returns exceeding nine percent. This high standard of proof highlights the challenge of objectively evaluating one's own performance in highly volatile games.
The terraced fields of Zaballa were used for intensive vine cultivation in the 10th century, according to archaeologists. The study provides material evidence of early vine cultivation and highlights the importance of considering abandoned settlements as part of archaeological heritage.
Researchers at the University of York have discovered a family of enzymes that can degrade difficult-to-digest biomass into its constituent sugars. This breakthrough enables the production of second-generation biofuels from sustainable sources such as waste plant matter, potentially alleviating food price stability concerns and increas...
A recent study by Concordia University doctoral graduate Devora Neumark found that engaging in house-beautification practices can help overcome the traumas associated with domicide. By repeating simple domestic actions, individuals can create a sense of order and rebuild their homes.
Researchers developed an iPad-based early warning system for hospital patient monitoring, using vital signs to calculate a score and alert staff to potential issues. The system replaces traditional chart-based methods, enabling faster and more accurate care.
Six life science researchers from the UK, France, and US will receive EMBO Installation Grants to establish their research groups in the Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, and Turkey. The grants aim to strengthen science in selected member states and facilitate collaboration with European centers of research and education.
Researchers are using an advanced humanoid robot called Nao to measure human interaction with robots in public spaces. The project aims to enhance the public realm as a space where people can interact under conditions of privacy and equality.
A study suggests that trained airport checkpoint screeners are less effective at detecting rare targets, a phenomenon known as the prevalence effect. The researchers found that screeners performed better when searching for frequent targets or with feedback on correct answers.
A novel chemical, perfluorotributylamine (PFTBA), has been found to be a long-lived greenhouse gas with the most radiatively efficient impact on climate, according to a study by the University of Toronto chemistry team. Calculated over a 100-year timeframe, PFTBA's global warming potential is equivalent to that of 7100 molecules of CO2.
Scientists have discovered that seed material from Moringa trees can bind to impurities in water, allowing for more efficient purification. The study found that clusters of material produced with the protein are more tightly packed than those formed with conventional flocculating agents, making it easier to separate and treat waste water.
The institute will utilize the UAV to monitor thousands of crop plots, enabling detailed evaluations of growth and functionality. The technology will substantially increase throughput and precision in analysis, contributing to various crop improvement projects.
Researchers have created a way to measure Bose-Einstein condensates, the coldest objects in the universe, by canceling out light damage. This allows for longer imaging and potentially indefinite measurement, enabling further study of BECs.
Researchers find Coriolis force crucial for creating hypnotic patterns on Dervish skirts, reproducing sharp peaks and gentle troughs. The study uses simple equations to govern cone-shaped structures' behavior when rotating.
A study by the University of Liverpool found that red squirrel populations along the Sefton coastline are recovering from a serious outbreak of squirrelpox in 2008. Researchers have identified a few surviving squirrels with antibodies to the virus, suggesting some resistance to the disease.
Florian Schreck has received the ERC Consolidator Grant for his research on quantum many-body systems. His team will investigate new phenomena using strontium atoms, which have unique properties that allow for precise measurement and new material discoveries. This award recognizes Schreck's outstanding research results in Innsbruck.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found an inverse association between nut consumption and total mortality in both men and women. Nuts contain essential nutrients and phytochemicals that may offer cardioprotective, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Dr. Steven R. Houser, Director of the Cardiovascular Research Center at Temple University School of Medicine, has made significant contributions to cardiovascular research over nearly three decades. He received prestigious honors from the American Heart Association for his work on heart cell function and regenerative pathways to repair...
A study by University of Cincinnati researcher Stephanie Sadre-Orafai compares the casting methods of New York City fashion scouts to the NYPD's stop-and-frisk program, revealing similarities between the two.
A comprehensive study analyzing over 3,800 cerebral palsy cases and 1.7 million healthy children found no link between cesarean delivery and reduced risk of cerebral palsy. The causes of cerebral palsy are believed to lie elsewhere, with research focusing on genetic origins and environmental triggers.
The Population Council showcased new research on developing and increasing access to new contraceptive technologies, expanding access to family planning through innovative financing mechanisms, and promoting gender equity. The council's strengths highlighted opportunities for developing and introducing new contraceptives and expanding ...
A study using phylogenetic analysis maps out the evolution of folk tales, revealing that Little Red Riding Hood shares a common root with The Wolf and the Kids, which originated in the 1st century AD. The research sheds light on the migration patterns of humans in ancient times by determining the origins and evolution of folk stories.
A new study from the University of Sheffield has developed a method to reduce the volume of plutonium-contaminated nuclear waste by 85-95%. This approach involves mixing the waste with blast furnace slag and turning it into glass, creating a stable end product that effectively locks in radioactive materials.