CORVALLIS, Ore. – Massive freshwater river flows stemming from glacier-fed flooding at the end of the last ice age surged across eastern Washington to the Columbia River and out to the North Pacific Ocean, where they triggered climate changes throughout…
Author: sarah Jonas
Bilingual mash ups: Counterintuitive findings from sociolinguistics
A new study exposes the fallacy of relying on pronunciation as a measure of linguistic proficiency. The study, ‘Revisiting phonetic integration in bilingual borrowing’, by Shana Poplack, Suzanne Robillard, Nathalie Dion (all from the University of Ottawa), and John. C.…
Bone or cartilage? Presence of fatty acids determines skeletal stem cell development
In the event of a bone fracture, fatty acids in our blood signal to stem cells that they have to develop into bone-forming cells. If there are no blood vessels nearby, the stem cells end up forming cartilage. The finding…
Melting properties determine biological functions of cuticular hydrocarbon layer of ants
Communication and waterproofing: Biology and physics come together in an interdisciplinary project to investigate the physical properties of wax-like cuticular hydrocarbons
Nanosize device ‘uncloaks’ cancer cells in mice and reveals them to the immune system
Scientists at Johns Hopkins report they have designed and successfully tested an experimental, super small package able to deliver molecular signals that tag implanted human cancer cells in mice and make them visible for destruction by the animals’ immune systems.…
Examining enlargement of the aorta among older endurance athletes
What The Study Did: Researchers in this observational study evaluated dimensions of the aorta in 442 older competitive runners and rowers (ages 50 to 75) to examine the association between long-term endurance exercise and enlargement of the artery. Authors: Aaron…
Scientists discover dust from Middle East cools the Red Sea
Researchers at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have discovered dust from the Middle East has a positive cooling effect over the land and the Red Sea
Largest ever study of eating disorders launches in England
Researchers at King’s College London have launched the largest ever study into eating disorders aiming to recruit at least 10,000 people
Scientists find link between genes and ability to exercise
A team of researchers have discovered a genetic mutation that reduces a patient’s ability to exercise efficiently. In a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine , a team including researchers from King’s College London have found a…
Kessler researchers test trunk-strengthening program for hemiplegia post stroke
Rakesh Pilkar, Ph.D., will conduct a pilot study of the AllCore360º device for improving core strength, posture and balance in individuals with hemiplegia following chronic stroke
Possible new treatment strategy for fatty liver disease
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified a molecular pathway that when silenced could restore the normal function of immune cells in people with fatty liver disease. The findings could lead to new strategies for treating the condition, which…
AgiloBat: Flexible production of battery cells
The research project AgiloBat focuses on future battery production in Germany
Cold sintering produces capacitor material at record low temperatures
Barium titanate is an important electroceramic material used in trillions of capacitors each year and found in most electronics. Penn State researchers have produced the material at record low temperatures, and the discovery could lead to more energy efficient manufacturing.…
Roberts Individualized Medical Genetics Center Outlines Framework for Centralized Approach to Genetic and Genomic Testing
In a special report published today in the journal Pediatrics, Roberts Individualized Medical Genetics Center researchers, physicians, and genetic and financial counselors describe the success of the model, their plans to build on that success for the future, and the important lessons learned from their first four years in operation.
Cellular metabolism regulates the fate decision between pathogenic and regulatory T cells
Preclinical research shows a pivotal role for cellular metabolism to regulate the fate decision of CD4 T cells as they differentiate into either destructive Th17 cells that mediate chronic inflammation or regulatory Treg T cells, a decision that occurs very early in the activation of CD4 T cells.
Radio waves detect particle showers in a block of plastic
A cheap technique could detect neutrinos in polar ice, eventually allowing researchers to expand the energy reach of IceCube without breaking the bank.
Identify, track, capture
Sandia National Laboratories robotics experts are working on a way to intercept enemy unmanned aircraft systems midflight.
Medication Treatments Led to 80 Percent Lower Risk of Fatal Overdose for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder than Medication-free Treatments
Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) receiving treatment with opioid agonists (medications such as methadone or buprenorphine) had an 80 percent lower risk of dying from an opioid overdose compared to patients in treatment without the use of medications.
Study Finds Picking up a Pingpong Paddle May Benefit People with Parkinson’s
Pingpong may hold promise as a possible form of physical therapy for Parkinson’s disease. People with Parkinson’s who participated in a pingpong exercise program once a week for six months showed improvement in their Parkinson’s symptoms, according to a preliminary study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 72nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada, April 25 to May 1, 2020.
Spending time in nature reduces stress, research finds
New research from an interdisciplinary Cornell team has found that as little as 10 minutes in a natural setting can help college students feel happier and lessen the effects of both physical and mental stress.
Using biology to explain social psychology of cultural differences wins theoretical prize at SPSP
The idea of using principles from biology as a theoretical framework for social psychologists to understand societal differences has won the 2019 Daniel M. Wegner Theoretical Innovation Prize from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Scientists from Arizona State University and the University of California, Irvine, used adaptive phenotypic plasticity, or how the environment of a living thing affects development and behavior, as a model for how people act in different societies.
University of Redlands School of Business Dean criticizes Amazon after PBS Frontline report
Tom Horan, a nationally recognized thought leader who is Senecal Endowed Dean of the School of Business at the University of Redlands, says the global commerce giant Amazon lacks commitment to heightened Inland Empire prosperity. “A recent episode of Frontline (PBS) documented…
KU Cancer Center partners with Fox4 to host Teen Town Hall on Vaping
The University of Kansas Cancer Center has partnered with Fox4 and the Kansas City Kansas School district to host a town hall on vaping at Sumner Academy February 27.
Seeing starch: Novel technique enables gentle observation of biofuel materials
Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new method to peer deep into the nanostructure of biomaterials without damaging the sample. This novel technique can confirm structural features in starch, a carbohydrate important in biofuel production.
From Civil Rights to Diss Tracks: How Black Women Have Shaped U.S. Culture
In her new book, A Black Women’s History of the United States, co-authored by Daina Ramey Berry, Kali Nicole Gross explores black women’s history spanning more than 400 years and includes voices from the poor and working class as well as civil rights leaders, athletes and musicians.
Juul youth marketing investigation requires diligent approach
Officials announced Tuesday that investigators from 39 states will look into the marketing and sales of vaping products by Juul Labs. The investigation includes whether the company targeted youths and misled consumers about nicotine content in its devices. Alan Mathios,…
Smithsonian Releases 2.8 Million Free Images for Broader Public Use
The Smithsonian announced today the launch of Smithsonian Open Access, an initiative that removes Smithsonian copyright restrictions from about 2.8 million of its digital collection images and nearly two centuries of data. This means that people everywhere can now download, transform and share this open access content for any purpose, for free, without further permission from the Smithsonian.
Latest Scarlet and Black Book Explores Lives of Rutgers’ First Black Students
In a new book in the Scarlet and Black Project, Rutgers University continues to examine its historical relationship to race, slavery and disenfranchisement, telling the story of the school’s first black students, who were pioneers treated as outcasts on their own campus.
Weight-Based Bullying Linked to Increased Adolescent Alcohol, Marijuana Use
Adolescents who are bullied about their weight or body shape may be more likely to use alcohol or marijuana than those who are not bullied, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.
Using Social Media to Understand the Vaccine Debate in China
THE SITUATIONVaccine acceptance is a crucial public health issue, which has been exacerbated by the use of social media to spread content expressing vaccine hesitancy. Studies have shown that social media can provide new information regarding the dynamics of vaccine…
Treatment to reset immune cells markedly improves TBI symptoms
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) found that targeting overactive immune cells in the brain with an experimental drug could limit brain cell loss and reverse cognitive and motor difficulties caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Study finds key mechanism for how typhoid bacteria infects
A new study has uncovered key details for how the Salmonella bacteria that causes typhoid fever identifies a host’s immune cells and delivers toxins that disrupt the immune system and allow the pathogen to spread.
When Bonding Noble Metals to 2D Materials, Interfaces Matter
Researchers at Penn State and Purdue University have developed new materials for improved single-atom catalysis and future electronics.
UIC receives archives of pioneering neuropsychiatrist
Early records and personal papers of Dr. Abraham Low, founder of nonprofit mental health organization donated to UIC.
How Many Tabs Do You Have Open Right Now? A Guide to (Potentially) Effective Multitasking
NYY’s Emily Balcetis unpacks research she and others have conducted in vision science, cognitive research, and motivational psychology to offer an account of the habits and practices that successful people use to meet their goals.
Tooth fairy concept dates back centuries, folklorist says
Feb. 28 is National Tooth Fairy Day. Elizabeth Tucker, disginguished service professor at Binghamton University, State University of New York, is an expert on children’s folklore and has some insight on the holiday’s origins and more. “The tooth fairy originated…
Heatwave Exposure Linked to Increased Risk of Preterm Birth in California
A new study at UC San Diego, published February 11, 2020, found that exposure to heatwaves during the last week of pregnancy was strongly linked to an increased risk of preterm delivery – the hotter the temperature or the longer the heatwave, the greater the risk.
Lava flows tell 600-year story of biodiversity loss on tropical island
A natural experiment created by an active volcano gives new insight into the long-term negative impacts of human colonisation of tropical forest islands. The findings are published in the British Ecological Society journal, Journal of Ecology.
Scientists call on government to increase ambition to save our ocean
In the last decade there has been rapid expansion in the area of ocean designated as a Marine Protected Area (MPA).
WashU Expert: Ingredients for a virus to become a pandemic
As of Feb. 25, 2020, the World Health Organization reported 79,339 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Thirty-four countries have reported cases, including 2,619 deaths.The WHO has not declared COVID-19 as a pandemic — a situation defined somewhat vaguely by the WHO as “the worldwide spread of a new disease.
How Firm Are the Foundations of Mind-Set Theory? The Claims Appear Stronger Than the Evidence
Expert: Brooke Macnamara, associate professor of psychological sciences, Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Contact: CWRU media relations, 216-368-4207 Bold claims about mind-set theory appear to be overstated, new research suggests The findings, published in Psychological Science, might be surprising because growth…
CSU Hosts Informational Session on New Cybersecurity Degree Program
Columbus State University’s TSYS Cybersecurity Center is hosting a series of informational sessions on the new Nexus Cybersecurity degree.
Aphea.Bio Joins the International Phytobiomes Alliance
Aphea.Bio has joined the International Phytobiomes Alliance as a sponsoring partner, both organizations announce today
Two from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Will Join Sigma’s Researcher Hall of Fame
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing faculty members Jason Farley, PhD, MSN, MPH, RN, and Mona Shattell, PhD, RN, FAAN, have been selected for induction in the Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. The honor signifies their lifetime achievements in nursing, contributions to research, and mentoring of future nurse researchers.
Simple Self-Charging Battery Offers Power Solutions for Devices
A new type of battery combines negative capacitance and negative resistance within the same cell, allowing the cell to self-charge without losing energy, which has important implications for long-term storage and improved output power for batteries. In Applied Physics Reviews, researchers at the University of Porto and the University of Texas at Austin report making their very simple battery with two different metals, as electrodes and a lithium or sodium glass electrolyte between them.
What to expect when you’re expecting electric transportation
While electric vehicles alone may not reduce carbon emissions, a new study reveals that when electric vehicles are powered with renewable energy and coupled with carbon policy strategies, they can help combat climate change without sacrificing economic growth.
Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center Old Bridge Intensive Care Unit Receives the Critical Care Nurses Silver Beacon Award for Excellence
Jane O’Rourke, chief nursing officer, Raritan Bay Medical Center gathers with ICU nurses in celebration of receiving the Silver Beacon Award of Excellence. In addition, it’s the first hospital in the central and southern market to achieve this award.
University Hospitals named for the eighth time as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere
Announcement that University Hospitals in Cleveland has been recognized by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2020 World’s Most Ethical Companies.
Identifying the sources of salt pollution
To Nathaniel Warner, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering and recipient of a new National Science Foundation CAREER Award, a lack of available water-quality data and an abundance of potential salt polluters, such as road salting and oil and gas wastewater, makes it difficult to mitigate further contamination.
UAH helps nation catch up in hypersonic research
The University of Alabama in Hunstville’s Aerophysics Research Center (ARC), operating on Redstone Arsenal, provides the government and commercial clients with a ready means of hypersonic scaled testing with its three, two-stage light gas gun systems.