News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
Researchers have found that lactoferrin, a protein with iron-binding properties, plays a key role in innate immunity and can protect against bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections. Lactoferrin also shows promise in preventing certain types of cancer.
A new study reveals that some wandering albatrosses are breeding 2.2 days earlier than before, with older or recently changed partners being key drivers of this trend. The researchers found no clear explanation for the change, which may be linked to environmental factors such as weather or ocean conditions.
A teen-led study using simulators found that texting while driving poses significant risks, with drivers making more mistakes when their phones are in view or hidden. The research suggests that there is no 'safe' way to text and drive, emphasizing the need for stronger laws and education.
Researchers at INRS developed a new laser with unparalleled stability and precision, enabling new experiments and research opportunities. The laser's unique design allows for improved control of light sources, increasing stability and resistance to external disruptions.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is investing £4 million in nine new crop science projects to improve UK cereal crops, including oilseed rape, barley, and wheat. The projects aim to address bottlenecks in food production, reduce waste, and deliver cost savings.
Researchers are investigating the factors predicting senior executive turnover in federal workplaces, which can result in costly losses for organizations. The study focuses on the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs' Senior Executive Service, finding that turnover is highest among new or low-tenure executives.
A new study reveals how climate change affects permafrost conditions across northern Canada, with varying factors influencing the thawing process. The research highlights the need for Canadians to adapt their northern infrastructure to accommodate changing ground temperatures.
Researchers at Newcastle University are using a mobile laboratory car called DriveLAB to develop new technologies to support older drivers. The team is investigating in-vehicle systems that can help keep people driving safely into their 70s, 80s, and beyond.
Researchers at TUM developed DNA origami 'gatekeepers' that can filter biomolecules by size, allowing selective detection of specific target molecules. The device combines solid-state nanopores with custom-designed DNA structures for enhanced single-molecule sensing capabilities.
A five-year study involving Quebec secondary school students found that recreational MDMA and meth/amphetamine use places teenagers at greater risk of experiencing depressive symptoms. The study suggests long-term negative influences of synthetic drug use on mental health.
The £10 million funding will support research into low-cost solutions for rural broadband access and applications for rural health monitoring, emergency communications, and social TV-Virtual Classrooms. The ultimate aim is to develop solutions that can scale to benefit millions of users in both the UK and India.
Concordia physicists have modified a battery-like enzyme to store energy for hours, not seconds. This breakthrough uses natural systems to develop sustainable, carbon-neutral energy converting systems that could lead to new medical applications.
A recent study found that carnivorous mammals, including humans, tend to have shorter breast-feeding periods than herbivorous or omnivorous species. This may be due to the higher-quality diet that allows for earlier brain development and weaning. The research suggests that meat-eating played a crucial role in human evolution and popula...
The Diesel Reloaded project redefines vehicles as integrated information and communication systems with modular, scalable architecture. It aims to address megatrends in environmental care, urbanization, and demographics by optimizing energy efficiency and adapting human-machine interfaces.
A new study using satellite mapping technology reveals there are twice as many emperor penguins in Antarctica than was previously thought. The research provides an important benchmark for monitoring the impact of environmental change on the population of this iconic bird.
The EPSRC grant will attract top researchers to the UK, introduce young scientists to senior figures, and promote cross-disciplinary collaboration. ICMS events aim to foster innovation and address the gender gap in mathematics.
Researchers found that Cantonese speakers demonstrated enhanced musical pitch perception compared to Canadian French and English speakers. Notably, individuals with congenital amusia who also spoke Cantonese still showed improved pitch perception.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that prolonged sleep restriction with simultaneous circadian disruption increases the risk of developing diabetes and obesity. This is because disrupted internal clocks can lead to poor insulin secretion and increased glucose concentrations in the blood.
A new £13 million UK Centre for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Research will be established to drive innovative research and development. The centre, coordinated by the University of Edinburgh, aims to support the UK economy by driving an integrated research programme focused on maximising CCS contribution to a low-carbon energy system.
A study of 7,131 participants in Paris found that shopping at discount supermarkets or in areas with poorly educated consumers is associated with higher body mass indices (BMI) and waist circumferences. Supermarket size and produce quality were not linked to BMI or waist circumference.
A recent study from Concordia University found that employees who feel obligated to stay with their employer are more likely to experience emotional exhaustion. This type of commitment can lead to feelings of indebtedness and loss of autonomy, ultimately contributing to turnover.
Scientists at the University of Leicester discovered a correlation between tooth roughness and diet in animals. Tooth surfaces can reveal what an animal has been eating, providing a reliable method for studying wild diets.
A new study by the University of Bristol estimated that over 260,000 cats and dogs entered UK rescue organizations in 2009. The majority of these animals were not rehomed but instead cared for until space became available, revealing a significant need for animal adoption and welfare support.
The MMRF has partnered with TGen, Spectrum Health, and VARI to provide genomic services and analyze patient samples in a landmark 1000-patient study on multiple myeloma. The study aims to identify specific subgroups of patients and provide insights into the molecular changes that affect disease progression.
A recent study published in Nutrition Journal found that 74% of registered dietitians use dietary supplements regularly, while 22% use them occasionally. The majority (97%) recommend dietary supplements to their clients, citing bone health and overall wellness as top reasons.
Researchers found that clear-cut logging significantly increases the risk of avalanches penetrating into forest cover. The study provides new methods and data to predict runout distances and assess risks to facilities below avalanche terrain. This knowledge is crucial for land-use planning and management of resources.
A study published in Canadian Journal of Forest Research uses shoot buds from a century-old American elm to develop an in vitro conservation system, potentially providing disease resistance for future plantings. The culture system has been used successfully to establish a repository representing 17 mature American elms from Ontario.
Researchers used 100-femtosecond laser pulses to capture fine-grained data on electron relaxation and its influence on superconducting properties. This technique reveals that high-critical temperatures are driven by purely electronic processes.
Researchers identify IRF8 and TMEM39a as associated with lupus in European-American, African-American, Gullah, and Asian patients. The study's findings also suggest that the genes may not be universal, highlighting the need for further research.
A study analyzed Spanish companies' scientific production between 1995 and 2005, revealing that only a few genuinely Spanish companies are most productive, while multinational firms dominate the market. The study highlights the need for increased investment in R+D to close the gap with other developed countries.
A three-year longitudinal study found that periodontal treatment reduced hospital admissions, physician visits, and overall medical care costs in diabetics by an average of $1,814 per patient annually. This significant reduction was attributed to a 33% decrease in hospital admissions.
A study by researchers found that a small group of countries control most of the world's freshwater trade, while regions like Africa are left out. The virtual water network has almost doubled in size since the 1980s, driven by globalization and economic factors.
Recent studies have increased interest in salivary biomarkers for diagnostics, but challenges persist in collection, storage, and quantitation of biomarkers. Researchers will discuss standardization procedures and address issues with proteomic methods.
Research on dental therapy workforce development aims to improve oral health care delivery through non-traditional settings. The symposium presents findings on the role of dental therapists in community care, highlighting their potential impact on oral health outcomes.
Dr. Richard H. Carmona receives AADR's Honorary Membership for his dedication to promoting oral health as U.S. Surgeon General and beyond. The American Association for Dental Research recognizes Dr. Carmona's significant contributions to dental research.
The Allen Institute for Brain Science will double its staff to launch three new initiatives tackling fundamental brain questions: information encoding, cellular building blocks, and circuit development. New funding enables expansion and acceleration of global neuroscience research.
The American Association for Dental Research awarded Page Linae Collymore a $4,000 student fellowship to encourage research on Sjögren's Syndrome. She is a student at Southern Illinois University and will be recognized at the AADR's 41st Annual Meeting in March 2012.
The AADR William B. Clark Fellowship will support Dr. Palomo's research on bisphosphonates and their effect on the periodontium in postmenopausal women. The award aims to advance knowledge for the improvement of oral health through clinical research.
The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) has renamed its award to honor Dr. Irwin D. Mandel's contributions to dental research and mentorship. The newly named Irwin D. Mandel Distinguished Mentoring Award recognizes outstanding efforts to foster and promote research training and career development.
Dr. Ronald Dubner, a professor at University of Maryland, Baltimore, received the 2012 AADR Distinguished Scientist Award for his groundbreaking work on neurobiological mechanisms of orofacial acute and chronic pain. His research has been recognized for translating findings to improve healthcare.
Isabel Garcia, NIDCR deputy director, receives the 2012 AADR Jack Hein Public Service Award for promoting oral health research interests. Dr. Garcia's work benefits both dental and craniofacial researchers and the general public.
Researchers found that frequent ballet and Indian dance spectators exhibited enhanced neural motor responses when watching their respective styles. This suggests that spectators can simulate dance movements without requiring prior motor expertise, highlighting the brain's ability to mirror actions.
Bigham's proposal, Closed-Loop Crowd Support of People with Disabilities, aims to leverage the crowd to provide real-time feedback and support to individuals with visual impairments or other disabilities. The NSF CAREER Award will support his research over the next five years.
American signal crayfish are gaining the upper hand in Britain's waterways, threatening native white-clawed crayfish populations. The invasive species' greater appetite for food and reduced susceptibility to parasites have significant implications for biodiversity.
Scientists at A*STAR's Singapore Immunology Network have made significant strides in understanding Chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne disease that can cause severe joint pains. Researchers discovered a direct biomarker, IgG3 antibodies, to identify patients at risk of the more severe form of the disease.
A genome-wide study identified 190 genes critical for the function of TLR7 and TLR9, cellular sensors that recognize pathogens and trigger immune responses. The findings provide insights into the complex network regulating immune responses to microbial infections.
The EPSRC has awarded £18 million to three ICT projects at UCL Engineering, focusing on optical communication technologies, wireless technology, and adaptive software engineering. The projects aim to develop new generation of optical fibers, unlock more bandwidth, and improve software development efficiency.
Researchers at UBC-TRIUMF have successfully manipulated anti-hydrogen atoms using microwaves, providing the world's first glimpse of an 'anti-atomic fingerprint.' This achievement marks a significant milestone in the study of antimatter and brings scientists closer to understanding its intrinsic properties.
Professor Stephen Smartt will lead a €2.3 million research project to discover how the first chemical elements were created in the Universe. The goal is to find the first ever supernovae, or exploding stars, in the Universe and understand their role in creating these elements.
The team discovered the most distant cluster of red galaxies, 30 galaxies packed together, 10.5 billion light years away, and formed the earliest known 'galaxy city' in the universe. The findings revealed a conspicuous concentration of galaxies that existed three billion years ago, providing insights into galaxy evolution and assembly.
Dr. Kari Alitalo receives the award for his outstanding contributions to lymphatic science and advancement of VEGF-C lymph node transplant research, which shows promise in treating lymphedema and improving lymphatic function.
A RAND Corporation study outlines a checklist to improve the methods behind health care performance reporting, aiming to minimize misclassifications and avoid adverse consequences. The goal is to create accurate and useful reports that help patients choose better-quality providers.
A University of Tennessee research finds that designing subsidy programs promising environmental benefits is challenging, with most schemes over-compensating farmers and failing to meet promised bird species increases. Allowing payment rates to vary depending on farm location can greatly improve conservation prospects.
Neuroscientists at UC Berkeley and Portugal's Champalimaud Center have demonstrated that the brain can be trained to perform tasks it normally doesn't, using plasticity to master purely mental tasks. This breakthrough advances work on brain-machine interfaces, potentially leading to prosthetic devices that feel like natural movement.
Scientists have discovered a way to increase motor neurone production in adult zebrafish using a drug that inhibits the notch-signalling pathway. This breakthrough could potentially help research find ways to turn progenitor cells into motor neurons following damage caused by these diseases.
Researchers at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have challenged the long-held concept of surface tension on solid materials. They found that excess surface tension on a solid material does not exist and is incompatible with thermodynamic theory.
A Scripps Florida team has been awarded nearly $1.5 million to identify and develop novel potent inhibitors of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The research targets the capsid protein, a critical component of HIV, with the goal of creating new treatments for HIV-infected patients.
A team of experts at Florida State University is working on a new project to better understand and diagnose dyslexia and other learning disabilities. The research aims to identify the complex interactions among genes and environments that contribute to dyslexia, with the goal of providing early intervention and prevention programs.
Researchers found that certain plants like thistles, clover, and buttercups are crucial in maintaining fragile food webs on UK farms. Restoring these plants could theoretically increase biodiversity across the farm.
Researchers have discovered an extremely old anthropomorphic figure engraved in rock in Brazil, dating back to between 9,000 and 12,000 years ago. The find supports the hypothesis that humans settled the New World relatively early and suggests a diverse range of symbolic thinking among early American settlers.