Early access to palliative care associated with better quality of life

(University of Leeds) Patients with advanced cancer have a significantly better quality of life in the weeks before they die if they receive early access to palliative care, according to research published today.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BHzjXK

Fitness in childhood linked to healthy lungs in adulthood

(European Lung Foundation) Children who are fitter and whose fitness improves during childhood and adolescence have better lung function as young adults, according to a large study published in the European Respiratory Journal.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rVg6Cj

Stand up -- it could help you lose weight

(European Society of Cardiology) You might want to read this on your feet. A new study published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that standing instead of sitting for six hours a day could prevent weight gain and help people to actually lose weight.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DT01ic

America's child poverty rate remains stubbornly high despite important progress

(Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health) While many American families have experienced economic gains, children are still most likely to live in households too poor to cover their basic needs. Children make up around a quarter of the US population, but represent more than a third of the nation's poorest residents. Some 41 percent (29.8 million) of America's children were living on the brink of poverty in 2016 -- including more than 5 million infants and toddlers under age three.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2nxBk3w

Spinal cord injury research: Bonus benefit to activity-based training

(University of Louisville) Researchers in the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (KSCIRC) at the University of Louisville have discovered that the training, designed to help individuals with SCI improve motor function, also leads to improved bladder and bowel function and increased sexual desire.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2nuPcMc

Brain's insular cortex mediates approach and avoidance responses to others in distress

(Boston College) Searching for clues to complex social behaviors, experiments found that laboratory rats - much like humans - will approach distressed juveniles but avoid distressed adults -- responses known as social affective behaviors, Boston College researchers report in Nature Neuroscience. Additionally, the brain's insular cortex region is required for proper reactions to others in distress. Further, changes in insular cortex excitability, caused by the hormone oxytocin, likely account for the social affective behaviors.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E1MzLV

Reconstructing an ancient lethal weapon

(University of Washington) University of Washington researchers reconstructed prehistoric projectiles and points from ancient sites in what is now Alaska and studied the qualities that would make for a lethal hunting weapon. By examining and testing different projectile points, the team has come to a new understanding about the technological choices people made in ancient times.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2nuRfjn

Kids born later in the year can still excel in sport

(University of Sydney) A child's birth month shouldn't affect their long-term prospects in high-level sport and those who hold off on specialising until later years may be the most successful, according to new research from the University of Sydney.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BIbXB7

Reconstructing an ancient lethal weapon

(University of Washington) University of Washington researchers reconstructed prehistoric projectiles and points from ancient sites in what is now Alaska and studied the qualities that would make for a lethal hunting weapon. By examining and testing different projectile points, the team has come to a new understanding about the technological choices people made in ancient times.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://ift.tt/2nuRfjn

Forest conservation can have greater ecological impacts by allowing sustainable harvesting

(University of Missouri-Columbia) New research at the University of Missouri has found that forest owners at greater risk of illegally cutting trees from their forests prefer to participate in conservation programs that allow sustainable timber harvesting. The findings of the study, conducted by Francisco Aguilar and Phillip Mohebalian, could be used to craft conservation contracts that are more likely to be accepted by forest owners and might succeed in preventing deforestation and forest degradation.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2nvNABQ

ColoradoSPH research uncovers risk factors for mysterious kidney disease in farm workers

(University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) Previous studies have identified an illness called 'Mesoamerican Nephropathy,' also referred to as Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Origin (CKDu). Notably, this new study shows that when a workforce has access to water, rest, and shade, the rates of CKDu onset and kidney injury are lower, and the injury is less severe than that seen in previous studies.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2nsXLXK

0.5 percent of the population suffer from severe psychological trauma

(University of Zurich) Trauma-related disorders were previously classified under one single diagnosis -- post-traumatic stress disorder. Now, a representative survey carried out by a UZH psychopathologist has shown for the first time how often such disorders are present in a more severe form. According to the findings, more than 0.5 percent of people in Germany suffer from complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BHjTCP

Following ISIS captivity, Yazidi women suffering from high percentage of C-PTSD

(Bar-Ilan University) From what long-term psychological effects are Yazidi women suffering after being captured, raped, beaten, and locked away by ISIS? A comprehensive study led by Bar-Ilan University researchers has shown that a very high percentage of these women were suffering from C-PTSD in addition to others with PTSD. Furthermore, victims with C-PTSD showed greater sensitivity to post-ISIS conditions. The team intends to launch a program to train Kurdish mental health workers how to treat the disorder.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Eqwu04

'Anxiety cells' identified in the brain's hippocampus

(Columbia University Medical Center) Researchers have identified cells in the brains of mice that indicate when the animal is anxious.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E0tLgm

New report evaluates the VA's mental health services, finds substantial unmet need

(National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) While the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides mental health care of comparable or superior quality to care provided in private and non-VA public sectors, accessibility and quality of services vary across the VA health system, leaving a substantial unmet need for mental health services among veterans of the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2GBdblt

Vitiligo treated successfully with arthritis drug and light therapy

(Yale University) Building on prior research that examined the use of an arthritis medication to treat vitiligo, a team of Yale dermatologists has successfully applied a novel combination therapy -- the medication and light -- to restore skin color in patients.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2GyL867

Falling IQ scores in childhood may signal psychotic disorders in later life

(King's College London) New research shows adults who develop psychotic disorders experience declines in IQ during childhood and adolescence, falling progressively further behind their peers across a range of cognitive abilities. The researchers from King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in the United States found falls in IQ start in early childhood, and suggest educational interventions could potentially delay the onset of mental illness.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2GA3wvA

Kids' well visits linked to lower appendicitis complications

(Emory Health Sciences) The study suggests that families with an established relationship with their primary care doctor are more likely to seek emergency care promptly when a child is experiencing painful symptoms.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rYjNHu

Pulling an all-nighter impairs working memory in women

(Uppsala University) Over the last few decades, a wealth of evidence has accumulated to suggest that a lack of sleep is bad for mind and body. Working memory is important for keeping things in mind for briefer periods of time, which thereby facilitates reasoning and planning. A team of sleep scientists from Uppsala University now demonstrates that acute sleep loss impacts working memory differently in women and men.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2np2QBa

The science behind the fizz: How the bubbles make the beverage

(American Chemical Society) From popping a bottle of champagne for a celebration to cracking open a soda while watching the Super Bowl, everyone is familiar with fizz. But little is known about the chemistry behind the bubbles. Now, one group sheds some light on how carbonation can affect the creaminess and smoothness of beverages, as reported in ACS' The Journal of Physical Chemistry B.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BH13M7

How can students with autism be supported through college?

(Springer) Thirty years ago it was rare for a student with ASD to enter college. But over the past decades, there has been much improvement in the detection and awareness of ASD in children. Now, with the provision of effective treatments, those with average or above average intellectual abilities are enrolling at universities. Now a special issue addressing the experiences of ASD students has been published in Springer's Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E07Y8t

The same psychological mechanism explains violence among Muslim and Western extremists

(Uppsala University) Why do some Westerners attack Muslim minorities and asylum seekers and why do some Muslims support and engage in terror against the West? New research suggests that the reasons for such extreme behaviour might be the same in both groups. The results have now been published in the European Journal of Social Psychology.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2nuYc3N

Teens need vigorous physical activity and fitness to cut heart risk

(University of Exeter) Guidelines for teenagers should stress the importance of vigorous physical activity and fitness to cut the risk of heart disease, new research suggests.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DTaqhF

Who's still smoking: Report highlights populations still at risk

(American Cancer Society) Although tobacco control measures have reduced overall smoking rates in the United States, a new report says several vulnerable subpopulations continue to smoke at high rates.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2np2H0A

Diabetes management improved in high-risk population through community program

(NYU Langone Health / NYU School of Medicine) An ethnic population at high risk for Type 2 diabetes achieved significant control of the disease through participation in community-based health programs, according to a randomized controlled trial published Jan. 31 by researchers at NYU School of Medicine's Department of Population Health in the journal Clinical Diabetes.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BH0ZvR

Cancer patients: Web-based help improves quality of life

(University of Basel) A diagnosis of cancer causes huge psychological stress, but many patients do not receive any psychological support. An online stress management program can significantly improve their quality of life, as shown by a study conducted by researchers from the University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DOOW5H

Treating sleep apnea could reduce dementia risk

(University of Queensland) Inadequate oxygen levels during sleep can damage the brain and increase the riskof developing Alzheimer's disease, University of Queensland researchers have found. Scientists from UQ's Queensland Brain Institute and School of Biomedical Sciences are now initiating a clinical study of patients with sleep apnea to determine whether treatment lowers the risk of developing dementia.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2nssN1W

Indigenous people face higher risk of transportation injuries in British Columbia

(University of British Columbia) Indigenous people in British Columbia suffered transportation-related injuries at a rate 1.89 times higher than the province's total population between 1991 and 2010, a new University of BC study has found.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rU89NQ

Dishonest individuals perceived as less capable

(American Psychological Association) If you saw someone steal an expensive item from a department store, would you think he is less capable at his job? Most people would think that, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DT5PvV

Molecular secrets revealed: Antipsychotic docked in its receptor

(NIH/National Institute of Mental Health) Scientists have deciphered the molecular structure of a widely prescribed antipsychotic docked in its key receptor. They are hopeful that this discovery may hold secrets to designing better treatments for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2GvaeD7

Skin-inspired coating that's as hard as teeth and can heal itself

(American Chemical Society) Self-healing smart coatings could someday make scratches on cell phones a thing of the past. But researchers often have to compromise between strength and the ability to self-repair when developing these materials. Now, one group reports in ACS Nano the development of a smart coating that is as hard as tooth enamel on the outside but can heal itself like skin can.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BFeTyK

Reasoning behind campus sexual assault policies challenged by psychologists

(University of Oregon) A comprehensive analysis of policies related to sexual assaults -- known as mandatory reporting or compelled disclosure -- at 150 universities has raised questions about their effectiveness and their impacts on victims.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2FvYVco

Planting a park on the Cross-Bronx expressway would save money and lives

(Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health) Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health explored the cost-effectiveness of placing a deck park on top of the Cross-Bronx Expressway, finding the plan would save money and lives. The results are published in the American Journal of Public Health.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rRV8V0

It's not how you play the game, but how the dice were made

(University of California - Davis) Over time, dice used in playing games have changed in shape and size and evolved with considerations about fairness, chance and probability.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DP3KkR

An outdoor cat can damage your sustainability cred

(Cornell University) If you install solar panels on your roof and avoid dousing your lawn with chemicals and pesticides, your online peers may consider you to be environmentally friendly. But this street cred can all be erased if you let your cat roam around outdoors.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2GsW4SS

It's not how you play the game, but how the dice were made

(University of California - Davis) Over time, dice used in playing games have changed in shape and size and evolved with considerations about fairness, chance and probability.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://ift.tt/2DP3KkR

Five research teams across Columbia will use data science to solve societal problems

(Data Science Institute at Columbia) The Data Science Institute (DSI) awarded Seeds Fund Grants to five research teams whose proposed projects will use state-of-the-art data science to solve seemingly intractable societal problems in the fields of cancer research, medical science, transportation and technology.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E1rUI8

Interactive tool improves patient knowledge of breast cancer treatment options

(Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan) Breast cancer patients who used an interactive website were more informed about options and felt better prepared to make a treatment choice.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DVV4IH

Epigenetic alteration of a vitamin B12 gene shines new light on our understanding of rare diseases

(McGill University Health Centre) French and Canadian scientists discovered a new cause of a rare condition known as cblC, that they named 'epi-cblC', resulting from a mutation on a single copy of the gene and the silencing of the second copy by a gene modification referred to as epimutation. Their findings may have an impact on diagnosis, and genetic counselling in families with genetic diseases, as well as in the development of new therapeutic approaches.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2FuAA6U

Ohio State study of brain pacemaker shows promise in slowing decline of Alzheimer's

(MediaSource) Researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center studied how using an implant -- likened to a pacemaker for the brain -- could help Alzheimer's patients to retain cognitive, behavioral and functional abilities longer while also improving quality of life.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2FsemSM

E-cigarette flavors are toxic to white blood cells, warn scientists

(Frontiers) A new study adds to growing evidence on the harmful health effects of e-cigarettes. The study finds that exposure to commonly used e-cigarette flavoring chemicals and liquids can cause significant inflammation to monocytes, a type of white blood cell. Moreover, many flavoring compounds are toxic, with cinnamon, vanilla and buttery flavors among the worst. It also finds that mixing e-cigarette flavors has a much worse effect than exposure to just one.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BDY5Il

Better-educated men = healthier women and mothers in the developing world

(University of Montreal) In much of Africa and Asia, the more schooling a man has, the more likely his partner will take birth control or seek medical help in pregnancy, according to Canadian researchers.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2nmzgwj

SU2C awards $11M in grants to investigate immunotherapies using AI with Microsoft support

(Entertainment Industry Foundation) SU2C awards $11M in 'Convergence 2.0' grants to investigate immune system response to cancers using Microsoft Research's machine learning and artificial intelligence. Each team comprising life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and engineering experts will collaborate with Microsoft's machine learning experts exploring cancer/immune system interaction that can lead to development of new treatments. In addition the Lustgarten Foundation committed $1.76M; and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer is providing $1M to support post-doctoral fellows.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2FvzEiB

This is your brain. This is your brain outdoors

(University of Alberta) The brain acts much differently when we're outdoors compared to when we're inside the lab, a new study has found."It happens when we're doing normal, everyday activities, like riding a bike," explained Kyle Mathewson, a neuroscientist in UAlberta's Department of Psychology.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rPbXjp

Mindfulness may help reduce cravings for food and drugs, says review

(City University London) Mindfulness strategies may help prevent or interrupt cravings for food and drugs, such as cigarettes and alcohol, by occupying short term memory, according to a new review from City, University of London.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BEkqFL

What factors make 'age-friendly environments' effective?

(University of Liverpool) A new study, published in the journal Systematic Reviews, conducted by researchers at the University of Liverpool and Newcastle University has identified the most effective initiatives for promoting respect and social inclusion for older people living in the community.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Gvu6pt

Safeguarding children when sentencing mothers

(University of Oxford) Oxford University have collaborated with the Prison Reform Trust to create new resources, including films and briefings, to help criminal justice professionals improve their understanding of the impacts of maternal imprisonment.It is estimated that 17,000 children every year are affected by maternal imprisonment in England and Wales.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DQ01DH

Ohio closer to finding new solutions in the battle against drug abuse & addiction

(MediaSource) As the death toll from the national opioid problem rises, Ohio has taken the lead in the search for solutions--turning to technology for innovative ideas. The state put out the call through the Ohio Opioid Technology Challenge and received hundreds of responses from average citizens, scientists and healthcare professionals across Ohio, the US and nine countries around the world.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DWxOKz

Your brain reveals who your friends are

(Dartmouth College) You may perceive the world the way your friends do, according to a Dartmouth study finding that friends have similar neural responses to real-world stimuli and these similarities can be used to predict who your friends are.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2FtRsKP

Industry leaders align on the future of precision medicine

(Biogerontology Research Foundation) As a panel of judges at the Precision Medicine World Conference (PMWC) 2018 reach agreement, panel judge and Biogerontology Research Foundation Managing Trustee Dmitry Kaminskiy's favoured contenders for the title of Most Promising Company 2018 emerged as semi-finalists.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2EqBLEQ

Benefits of smoking cessation medications diminish over time

(American Friends of Tel Aviv University) A new Tel Aviv University study published in Addiction finds that only eight out of 100 smokers who take smoking cessation medications will have benefited from taking smoking medications after one year's time.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E1GO10

How does living in a big city increase life expectancy?

(National Research University Higher School of Economics) Inhabitants of Moscow and St Petersburg live significantly longer than people living in other regions of Russia, according to a recent study carried out by researchers at the Higher School of Economics.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2FrJYs0

Weiss receives Charles R. Darwin Lifetime Achievement Award

(Penn State) Kenneth Weiss, Evan Pugh University Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Genetics, was awarded the Charles R. Darwin Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 by the American Association of Physical Anthropologists.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Ft5JHQ

Long-term opioid use has dropped among US military veterans

(Springer) A new study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, published by Springer, shows that opioid prescribing has dropped after a peak in 2012. Lead author Katherine Hadlandsmyth of the Iowa City VA Healthcare System and the University of Iowa in the US further noted that the decline was mostly due to decreases in long-term opioid prescribing, which carries much greater risk for harmful side effects, addiction and overdose, relative to short-term prescribing.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DYN5KJ

New edition of the popular science series Science in 1 minute

(Universitat Rovira i Virgili) The Universitat Rovira i Virgili's Unit of Scientific Communication has completed a new edition of scientific videos Science in 1 minute. The series responds in less than 60 seconds to scientific doubts using cartoon illustrations. University researchers have advised on the content of these short audiovisuals, which have been posted on YouTube in Catalan, Spanish and English.

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New edition of the popular science series Science in 1 minute

(Universitat Rovira i Virgili) The Universitat Rovira i Virgili's Unit of Scientific Communication has completed a new edition of scientific videos Science in 1 minute. The series responds in less than 60 seconds to scientific doubts using cartoon illustrations. University researchers have advised on the content of these short audiovisuals, which have been posted on YouTube in Catalan, Spanish and English.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rPSDlQ

Coral reefs are in trouble -- how can people adapt?

(ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies) An international team of scientists has developed a strategy to boost people's ability to adapt to climate change.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2nlq7UC

Arts and humanities in medical school promote empathy and inoculate against burnout

(Tulane University) Medical students who spend more time engaging in the arts may also be bolstering the qualities that improve their bedside manner with patients, according to new research from Tulane and Thomas Jefferson universities. The study finds that students who devoted more time to the humanities during medical school had significantly higher levels of positive physician attributes like empathy, tolerance of ambiguity, wisdom and emotional intelligence while at the same time reporting lower levels of adverse traits like burnout.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E1NeNK

The second Honolulu Office of Kobe University Symposium

(Kobe University) This symposium will be held on Monday 5 February at Hawaii Imin International Conference Center (Jefferson Hall) which adjoins the University of Hawaii at Mānoa campus. The symposium aims to promote dialogue and exchange between Japan, the Americas, and other Pacific Rim countries, and offers an ideal opportunity to present new findings and exchange ideas in Japanese philosophy, culture, history, literature, and performing arts from a Pacific perspective.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Gwo0oY

Northern European population history revealed by ancient human genomes

(Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History) An international team of scientists, led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, analyzed ancient human genomes from 38 northern Europeans dating from approximately 7,500 to 500 BCE. The study, published today in Nature Communications, found that Scandinavia was initially settled via a southern and a northern route and that the arrival of agriculture in northern Europe was facilitated by movements of farmers and pastoralists into the region.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rQfPka

Epidemics: The end of containment measures?

(Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) Limiting population movements during an epidemic outbreak may not always be the best approach. This type of response may adversely affect a society's ability to resume functioning normally, according to an EPFL study.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Gtp7WB

Northern European population history revealed by ancient human genomes

(Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History) An international team of scientists, led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, analyzed ancient human genomes from 38 northern Europeans dating from approximately 7,500 to 500 BCE. The study, published today in Nature Communications, found that Scandinavia was initially settled via a southern and a northern route and that the arrival of agriculture in northern Europe was facilitated by movements of farmers and pastoralists into the region.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://ift.tt/2rQfPka

CNIO researchers cure lung fibrosis in mice with a gene therapy that lengthens telomeres

(Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)) Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a potentially lethal disease associated with the presence of critically short telomeres, currently lacking effective treatment. The Telomere and Telomerase Group at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) has succeeded in curing this disease in mice using a gene therapy that lengthens the telomeres. This work constitutes a "proof of concept that telomerase activation represents an effective treatment against pulmonary fibrosis," the authors write in this publication.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BEvXol

What makes kids with autism less social than their typically developing peers?

(University of California - Riverside) Katherine Stavropoulos of the University of California, Riverside, looks closely at electrical activity in the brains of children with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, and typical development, or TD, to discern differences in the respective groups' reward systems. Her recent findings provide support for two popular, competing theories used to explain why children with ASD tend to be less social than their TD peers: the social motivation hypothesis and the overly intense world hypothesis.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BCvT8F

Psychiatric medications are not overprescribed for kids, finds study

(Columbia University Medical Center) A new study at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) challenges the popular notion that psychiatric medications are overprescribed in children and adolescents in the US. When the researchers compared prescribing rates with prevalence rates for the most common psychiatric disorders in children, they discovered that some of these medications may be underprescribed.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Guk9Zl

JBJS Clinical Classroom on NEJM Knowledge+ now available

(Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery) JBJS Clinical Classroom on NEJM Knowledge+ is a state-of-the-art adaptive learning platform that helps users assess the orthopaedic material they know and identify the areas where they need reinforcement. JBJS Clinical Classroom is an efficient and engaging way to prepare for initial board certification or maintenance of certification (MOC) exams.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2nnhKqQ

Morris Animal Foundation-funded study points way to improved stem cell therapies

(Morris Animal Foundation) In a study using equine mesenchymal stem cells, Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers from Cornell University and North Carolina State University found that stem cell function can be enhanced through manipulation of their culture environment, and that 'priming' prior to patient administration could optimize their therapeutic potential. The research team published their results in Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DOjlBf

Boosting Sirt4 gene activity extends healthy lifespan in fruit flies

(Brown University) Results from study led by Brown University researchers illustrate that Sirt4, also found in humans, may be an important factor in age-related metabolic decline and healthy lifespan.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DLqjGN

UMass Amherst research aims to improve health care for those with mental illness

(University of Massachusetts at Amherst) Diagnostic errors are very common in medicine and often come from failures of 'clinical reasoning,' some of which may be related to a medical professional's emotions, says social psychologist Linda Isbell at UMass Amherst. She has received a five-year, $1.71 million grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to study the influence of emotions on medical decision-making and diagnosis among emergency medicine staff.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2nn9wyS

Why do we trust, or not trust, strangers? The answer is Pavlovian

(New York University) Our trust in strangers is dependent on their resemblance to others we've previously known, finds a new study by a team of psychology researchers.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DLCiEj

Men hold secret to protect women from multiple sclerosis

(Northwestern University) Men are much less likely to get multiple sclerosis (MS) than women, and one reason is that they are protected by high levels of testosterone. Scientists have now discovered how it works. They have identified a guardian molecule -- triggered by testosterone -- that appears to protect males from disease. When female mice with disease are treated with this protective molecule, their symptoms were eliminated. The findings could lead to a new therapy for MS.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2npaLh5

Why do investors seek out stock swindles?

(University of Chicago Booth School of Business) The chance to get rich quick by investing in a penny stock, even if it is widely suspected that the stock price is being manipulated, is too tempting for some investors to resist.New research from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business finds that some investors actually seek out stocks suspected of 'pump-and-dump' schemes, despite the risks and warnings from financial experts, in hopes of winning big, akin to the lottery.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2GrMJdY

Americans say president Trump should prioritize science to strengthen US infrastructure

(Research!America) A strong majority of Americans (81 percent) say it is important for President Trump to assign a high priority to putting science, technology and engineering to work to strengthen our nation's infrastructure. The percentages are high across the political spectrum -- 86 percent of Republicans, 85 percent of Democrats, 72 percent of Independents, according to a new national public opinion survey commissioned by Research!America.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2EkjGZe

Drug improves PTSD traits in rat model of explosive blasts

(Society for Neuroscience) Male rats exposed to air blasts designed to mimic those from explosives used in recent military conflicts have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that are improved by a drug currently being evaluated in humans for treatment-resistant depression and suicidal tendencies. The research, published in eNeuro, provides a new direction for addressing the mental health problems that often arise following a common brain injury in veterans.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Gss1L2

Researchers reverse symptoms in neurologic disease model

(Case Western Reserve University) Rett syndrome is a devastating genetic, neurologic disorder that typically affects girls, resulting in severe disability and often accompanied by autistic behavior. Most Rett patients will live into middle age and require specialized full-time care. There is no cure, but researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have been working to find ways to restore brain function and reverse disabilities associated with Rett syndrome.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BBqGOj

Researchers receive $6.5 million NIH grant to use big data to tackle psoriasis

(Case Western Reserve University) An experienced interdisciplinary team of psoriasis and computational researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (CWRU SOM) and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (UHCMC) has received a $6.5M, 5-year grant from the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). The grant supports a Center of Research Translation in Psoriasis (CORT) at CWRU and UHCMC.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2njDOmP

Nutritionally-speaking, soy milk is best plant-based milk

(McGill University) A new study from McGill University looks at the four most-commonly consumed types of milk beverages from plant sources around the world -- almond milk, soy milk, rice milk and coconut milk -- and compares their nutritional values with those of cow's milk. After cow's milk, which is still the most nutritious, soy milk comes out a clear winner.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2GtIM8S

What happens to language as populations grow? It simplifies, say researchers

(Cornell University) Languages have an intriguing paradox. Languages with lots of speakers, such as English and Mandarin, have large vocabularies with relatively simple grammar. Yet the opposite is also true: Languages with fewer speakers have fewer words but complex grammars.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2njvX98

Walk in groups to keep exercise goals on track

(Anglia Ruskin University) People may be more likely to stick to taking exercise if they walk in groups, according to a paper published in the International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BDZHlu

Life expectancy gains are slowing in both rich and poor countries

(Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health) Increases in human life expectancy have slowed dramatically across the world since 1950, according to a study from researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2nj3EYi

Americans are spending more time at home, and it's saving a lot of energy

(Cell Press) Researchers have identified a positive trade-off for the rise in online shopping, our consumption of streaming video, and employees working from home. Despite increasing the amount of residential energy demand, the decrease in travel and use of non-residential spaces was responsible for a net 1,700 trillion bTU in energy savings for the United States in 2012, 1.8 percent of the national total. The analysis is published Jan. 29 in the journal Joule.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2nkesFv

Medications to treat cardiovascular risk factors do not impact erectile function

(Elsevier) Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a major public health problem. Men being treated for cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol are at increased risk of developing ED and often consider this condition a side effect of their medications. However, a new study into the effects of cholesterol-lowering statins and blood-pressure lowering candesartan/HCTZ concludes that these medications do not negatively affect erectile function. The study is published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rJENRW

To improve self-control, call weight loss what it is: Difficult

(Drexel University) An intervention that focused on changing the external food environment, rather than internal willpower, actually boosted participants' cognitive restraint and led to greater long-term weight loss.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rKbqPw

Motivational music increases risk-taking but does not improve sports performance

(Frontiers) Listening to motivational music increases risk-taking behavior during sport activities and exercise -- particularly in men and when participants made their own playlist -- but does not improve performance, new research shows.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Grr9qd

Better health and economic activity key to easing UK pension crisis

(City University London) Raising the UK state pension age is not enough to address the challenges caused by an ageing population, a new report from Cass Business School for the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation (CSFI) argues.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rKbmPM

Springer publishes Computational Brain & Behavior with the Society for Mathematical Psychology

(Springer) An interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal which draws together research from the fields of psychology, neuroscience, economics and statistics has been launched by the Society for Mathematical Psychology and Springer. Articles published in Computational Brain & Behavior (CB&B) are linked by a common theme of quantitative and computational approaches, and aim to foster cross-disciplinary communication. The first issue will be published online in April 2018.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DLkRzF

OHSU research provides new insight about antidepressants

(Oregon Health & Science University) New molecular research shows how chemically diverse drugs used to treat depression and anxiety disorders interact with the protein that transports serotonin in the brain. The discovery by researchers at the OHSU Vollum Institute could open the way for the development of additional forms of antidepressants collectively known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2GraeUu

Body clock disruptions occur years before memory loss in Alzheimer's

(Washington University School of Medicine) People with Alzheimer's disease have disturbances in their internal body clocks that affect the sleep/wake cycle and may increase risk of developing the disorder. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that such circadian rhythm disruptions also occur much earlier in people whose memories are intact but whose brain scans show early, preclinical evidence of Alzheimer's.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rKbbE6

Coal phase-out: Announcing CO2-pricing triggers divestment

(Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)) Putting the Paris climate agreement into practice will trigger opposed reactions by investors on the one hand and fossil fuel owners on the other hand. A new study now finds that on balance, divestment beats the so-called 'green paradox' if substantial carbon pricing is credibly announced. Consequently, overall CO2 emissions would be effectively reduced.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DIX97s

Bone experts offer how-to video for forensic professionals

(North Carolina State University) Advances in recent years allow forensic practitioners to use bone mineral density to extract more information from human remains -- but many forensic experts are unfamiliar with the techniques and technology. Now forensic researchers have published a step-by-step methodology in the video journal JOVE, providing forensic professionals with a guide that can help them extract as much information as possible from this emerging tool.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://ift.tt/2DNIeNm

Increasing public awareness is vital in the fight against infectious diseases

(University of Surrey) Public awareness campaigns on spotting the signs and symptoms of infectious diseases and how to prevent them, play a key role in helping to stop the spread of such infections, a new study in the journal Epidemiology and Infection reports.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DIPdmG

Rapid-tests to carry out early heart attack diagnosis and to identify sepsis in 10 minutes

(National University of Science and Technology MISIS) NUST MISIS scientists have developed a new type of membrane test strip for the quantitative immunochromatographic rapid-test that will be able to accurately and quickly make an early diagnosis of an acute myocardial infarction through the presence of disease markers in blood, as well as to identify various things such as sepsis, a pregnancy's duration, and viral & bacterial infections.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2EmgqN9

Four personas including the Lurker and the Geek that explain teenagers' online behavior

(University of Sussex) Academics have identified four distinct personas of social media user that teenagers describe as shaping how they behave on social media.Young social media users are categorized as either acting like the Geek, the Internet Celebrity, the Victim or the Lurker depending on their levels of online activity and visibility, University of Sussex academics say.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DH8KUp

Schools key to successful integration of child refugees, says study

(City University London) Schools can provide the ideal environment to improve integration and reduce the difficulties faced by refugee children in Western asylum countries, according to a new study from psychologists at City, University of London.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Emglcj

Access to water and diverse terrain encourage elderly in physical activity

(University of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto) A recently published study, conducted at the Gerontology Research Center of the University of Jyväskylä, found associations between features of natural environment in the home neighborhood and physical activity of older people.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BB0eo2

Leading experts in obstetric care and addiction medicine gather to discuss substance use disorders

(Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine) Three national organizations are coming together next week, along with representatives from the federal government, to address opioid misuse in pregnancy.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DMDgAg

US energy colonialism a key cause of Puerto Rico's Hurricane María crisis

(Frontiers) A new study investigating US and territorial government energy policies and industrial contracts in Puerto Rico argues that energy colonialism has played a central role in the country's current humanitarian crisis.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DGZQWX

Moving pictures, feeble words: Emotional images sway people more than emotional words

(Frontiers) New research suggests that your behavior can be influenced by subtle, barely visible images: people consume more of a beverage when exposed to positive images, such as smiling faces or cute dogs, and less when exposed to negative images, such as scowling faces or guns. However, exposure to emotionally charged words does not have the same effect.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2EhKolb

Menopause found to worsen symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

(Oxford University Press USA) A recent study published in Rheumatology suggests that women with rheumatoid arthritis suffer a greater decline in physical function following menopause. After studying 8,189 women with rheumatoid arthritis, researchers found that pre-menopausal women experienced a slower physical decline than those that were post-menopausal.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2FpiJOE

Trauma support for welfare recipients helps them earn more

(Drexel University) Research shows that addressing Welfare recipients' past and current trauma help them earn more at their jobs -- providing hope for an exit from the program.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BusM2G

What are memories made of?

(University of Colorado at Boulder) CU Boulder researchers have identified the distinct roles and locations in the brain of a protein called AKT believed to be instrumental in memory formation and synaptic plasticity.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Ed0CMw

NJIT receives funds to establish talent development center and talent networks

(New Jersey Institute of Technology) New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) announces three state grants totaling $1.725 million to establish a Talent Development Center (TDC) and Talent Network (TN) for the construction and utilities industry, as well as the renewal of its Technology Talent Network which now will be titled the Technology Advisory Network to reflect a new focus.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Fk9Tl9

The magic of movies not tied to using latest technology according to new research

(Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences) In the nearly 60 years between the 1939 release of Hollywood's first animated movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and modern hits like Toy Story, Shrek and more, advances in animation technology have revolutionized not only animation techniques, but moviemaking as a whole. However, a new study in the INFORMS journal Organization Science found that employing the latest technology doesn't always ensure creative success for a film.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2EbAdi4

Aerobic exercise may mildly delay, slightly improve Alzheimer's symptoms

(American Geriatrics Society) Geriatrics experts have suggested that exercising can improve brain health in older adults. However, not all studies of exercise and older adults have proven the benefits of exercise. A team of researchers designed a study to learn whether exercise could delay or improve AD symptoms. They reviewed 19 studies that examined the effect of an exercise training program on cognitive function in older adults who were at risk for or diagnosed with AD.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E903Df

Expanding the Lexicon

(De Gruyter) The creation of new lexical units and patterns has been studied in different research frameworks, focusing on either system-internal or system-external aspects, from which no comprehensive view has emerged.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BuD7eX

Health visitors use of video helps vulnerable families

(Aarhus University) The video-based method Marte Meo -- which some municipalities use in their initiatives for families experiencing difficulties with newborn children -- works as intended. This is shown by the first Danish research study of a widely used parenting program.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rHiBbl

Ancient lake reveals a colorful past

(University of York) Archaeologists say they may have discovered one of the earliest examples of a 'crayon' -- possibly used by our ancestors 10,000 years ago for applying color to their animal skins or for artwork.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://ift.tt/2rF8Quj

No sex without kiss! Researchers discover how the brain controls sex

(Saarland University) Kisspeptin has already been identified as the key molecule within the brain responsible for triggering puberty and controlling fertility. A new study reveals that a subset of neurons in an evolutionarily ancient part of brain, the hypothalamus, drive both attraction to the opposite sex and sexual behavior by two independent mechanisms.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Glag0c

Lithuanian scientists are developing software for predicting urban areas' safety

(Kaunas University of Technology) A team of architects, urbanists and IT specialists from Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania, are developing a user-friendly software, which will allow to determine readability of urban areas. The readability index comprising of several factors, can be used for determining area safety, for monitoring and modifying usage of city districts, for providing factual information on the qualities of urban spaces.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rFEuaN

Future Medicine's Oncology Management series of journals to be fully Open Access from 2018

(Future Science Group) Future Medicine is pleased to announce that, from January 2018, the eight journals within its Oncology Management Series -- Breast Cancer Management, CNS Oncology, Colorectal Cancer, Hepatic Oncology, International Journal of Endocrine Oncology, International Journal of Hematologic Oncology, Lung Cancer Management and Melanoma Management, will be following a fully open access model.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2GmJapC

UNIST researchers develop highly stretchable aqueous batteries

(Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)) A team of researchers, affiliated with South Korea's Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has succeedeed in developing world's first stretchable aqueous Li-ion batteries that may power the next generation of wearable devices.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2EfcnlL

Older adults who are frail more likely to experience delirium after surgery

(St. Michael's Hospital) Older adults who are frail are twice as likely to experience delirium following elective surgery than those of an older age, a new study suggests.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DztayB

The well-being paradox: We are getting richer, but not more satisfied

(Eindhoven University of Technology) For decades, there was a single main indicator of how countries were faring: Gross Domestic Product, and its growth. But what we earn does not say much about how healthy we are or about how we deplete minerals. Jan-Pieter Smits, professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), is the spiritual father of a new measuring instrument that gives policymakers a better understanding of what society is about. The statistics bureaus of 65 countries have already embraced it.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rH9wPN

Lack of essential and affordable medicines in India revealed

(Newcastle University) Research has revealed the shocking lack of access to essential medicines in India, despite thousands being approved in an attempt to generate wider availability.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2EbfL0L

Microbiome research refines HIV risk for women

(Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) Drawing from data collected for years by AIDS researchers in six African nations, scientists have pinpointed seven bacterial species whose presence in high concentrations may significantly increase the risk of HIV infection in women.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BtWa9h

Using virtual reality to identify brain areas involved in memory

(University of California - Davis) Virtual reality is helping neuroscientists at UC Davis get new insight into how different brain areas assemble memories in context.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Ghrlbq

Remains of earliest modern human outside of Africa unearthed in Israel

(American Friends of Tel Aviv University) A jawbone complete with teeth recently discovered at Israel's Misliya cave by Tel Aviv University and University of Haifa researchers has now been dated to 177,000-194,000 years ago. The finding indicates that modern humans were present in the Levant at least 50,000 years earlier than previously thought.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Bv4Lse

Remains of earliest modern human outside of Africa unearthed in Israel

(American Friends of Tel Aviv University) A jawbone complete with teeth recently discovered at Israel's Misliya cave by Tel Aviv University and University of Haifa researchers has now been dated to 177,000-194,000 years ago. The finding indicates that modern humans were present in the Levant at least 50,000 years earlier than previously thought.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://ift.tt/2Bv4Lse

New books from UB Research Institute on Addictions will assist alcohol treatment providers

(University at Buffalo) Two new books from the University at Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions will provide treatment providers with resources to help people with an alcohol use disorder manage their negative emotions and cravings for alcohol.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DzjOCN

Historical migrations left genetic footprints on the Irish genome

(PLOS) A genome-wide study of the people of Ireland reveals a previously hidden genetic landscape, shaped through geography and historical migrations. Ross Byrne and Russell McLaughlin of Trinity College Dublin in Ireland report their findings Jan. 25, 2018, in PLOS Genetics.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2EbIliI

Oldest human fossil outside of Africa discovered, with tools nearby

(American Association for the Advancement of Science) A human fossil found in Israel substantially shifts the estimated timeframe for when humans first left Africa, suggesting they did so approximately 40,000 to 50,000 years sooner than previously thought.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DCj2oP

Scientists discover oldest known modern human fossil outside of Africa

(Binghamton University) A large international research team, led by Israel Hershkovitz from Tel Aviv University and including Rolf Quam from Binghamton University, State University of New York, has discovered the earliest modern human fossil ever found outside of Africa. The finding suggests that modern humans left the continent at least 50,000 years earlier than previously thought.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DyBlLx

Scientists discover oldest known modern human fossil outside of Africa

(Binghamton University) A large international research team, led by Israel Hershkovitz from Tel Aviv University and including Rolf Quam from Binghamton University, State University of New York, has discovered the earliest modern human fossil ever found outside of Africa. The finding suggests that modern humans left the continent at least 50,000 years earlier than previously thought.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://ift.tt/2DyBlLx

Researchers pose revolutionary theory on horse evolution

(New York Institute of Technology) While it is largely believed that horses simply evolved with fewer digits, researchers at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) pose a new theory that suggests remnants of all five toes are still present within the hooves of the horse.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://ift.tt/2rDyWOl

CMSC Annual Meeting presents latest advances in multiple sclerosis diagnosis and treatment

(Consortium of MS Centers) The CMSC Annual Meeting, taking place May 30-June 2, 2018, at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN, serves as the largest educational conference and professional development event for healthcare clinicians, researchers, scientists and professionals in training engaged in the multiple sclerosis field.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Ff2yn4

UIC awarded $2.5 million grant to study how teachers learn

(University of Illinois at Chicago) The University of Illinois at Chicago's Learning Sciences Research Institute has been awarded a five-year, $2.5 million grant by the James S. McDonnell Foundation through the foundation's initiative to better understand teacher change and teachers as learners in K-12 classrooms.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DMKh3h

Researchers pose revolutionary theory on horse evolution

(New York Institute of Technology) While it is largely believed that horses simply evolved with fewer digits, researchers at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) pose a new theory that suggests remnants of all five toes are still present within the hooves of the horse.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rDyWOl

Do western societies promote narcissism?

(Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin) Researchers from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have been able to show that people who grew up in the former western states of Germany have higher levels of narcissism than those whose socialization took place in the former eastern states. According to research published in the journal PlosOne*, the reunification of Germany ushered in a gradual re-balancing of the distribution of these traits among the younger generation.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Gjkezg

Alex Huang, MD, PhD, receives $450,000 from Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation

(Case Western Reserve University) Leading cancer researcher, Alex Huang MD, PhD, has received a $450,000 Basic Science grant from Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation to study targeted approaches for effectively eliminating metastatic osteosarcoma.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2FgiWUh

Integration of AI and robotics with materials sciences will lead to new clean energy technology

(Canadian Institute for Advanced Research) The proposed integrated Materials Acceleration Platforms could cut the average time for developing a useful new material from 20 years down to one or two years.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rENYmS

Progress toward an HIV cure in annual special issue of AIDS Research & Human Retroviruses

(Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News) Researchers have shown that despite effective combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), HIV can hide in the spleen of patients with no detectable HIV in their blood.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DyQBb7

Study shows a potential new approach to opioid crisis

(American Thoracic Society) In a six-month study recently concluded, a research unit affiliated with two hospital institutions and a university in Ottawa found that a reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked daily also reduced a smoker's dependence on opioids.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E9aR4s

Novel body structure likely tied to mating in new extinct insect species

(Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters) Based on 2-D and 3-D data of several morphological features, researchers scanned all specimens with different μ-Ct devices at Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility (BSRF) and Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF).

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rENXzk

Distinct brain rhythms, regions help us reason about categories

(Picower Institute at MIT) The brain's ability to categorize based on straightforward resemblance or on a more abstract similarity arises from its use of distinct rhythms, at distinct times, in distinct parts of the prefrontal cortex. Gamma in one region handles sensory comparisons, but beta in another region considers the less obvious ways things go together.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DNgyYc

Developing a roadside test for marijuana intoxication isn't as easy as it sounds

(Cell Press) As marijuana legalization gains momentum in the United States, researchers worry about keeping the public safe, particularly on the roads. Recent studies have identified new biomarkers that can be used to estimate a person's recent cannabinoid intake. But, using those markers to judge cognitive and behavioral impairment is complex, say toxicologists in a commentary published on Jan. 25 in a special issue of the journal Trends in Molecular Medicine on biomarkers of substance abuse.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2FfpT82

Ancient Eurasian DNA sequencing is revealing links with modern humans

(Cell Press) Until recently, very little was known about the genetic relationship between modern humans of the Upper Paleolithic age (the period of time between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago, also called the Late Stone age) and today's populations. But with direct DNA sequencing, researchers are discovering unexpected genetic connections between individuals on opposing sides of Eurasia. These suggest a complex history that may represent an early population structure that eventually led to Europeans and Asians.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DMszgo

Music really is a universal language

(Cell Press) Songs serve many different purposes: accompanying a dance, soothing an infant, or expressing love. Now, after analyzing recordings from all around the world, researchers reporting in Current Biology show that vocal songs sharing one of those many functions tend to sound similar to one another, no matter which culture they come from. As a result, people listening to those songs could make accurate inferences about them, even after hearing only a quick 14-second sampling.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Ff2wvs

Honeycomb maze offers significant improvement over current spatial navigation tests

(Sainsbury Wellcome Centre) A powerful new tool for the study of spatial memory was today described in Nature as a significant improvement over the current gold standard, the Morris Water Maze. The novel Honeycomb Maze design allows for systematic analysis of the decisions an animal makes during navigation.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n9W3eC

Understanding emotional responses to traumatic injury key to planning & treatment efforts

(University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing) Injuries are a major public health problem in the United States, accounting for nearly 60 percent of all deaths among Americans between the ages of 1 and 44 years. Survivors of traumatic injuries often face significant physical and mental health challenges, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n9W1n0

Modern slavery in UK five times greater than official figures, according to new survey

(University of Huddersfield) Dr Nadia Wager has pioneered a new technique for appraising the scale of modern slavery.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2FgiKo7

Thin is in? Think again

(Springer) Models used in social media postings, or more than a decade's worth of Miss USA beauty pageant winners tell us that thin female bodies are still rated as attractive. However, US women's perceptions of what constitutes the perfect female figure have evolved in recent years to a 'thin and toned' ideal. This is according to Frances Bozsik of the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the US, who led a study in Springer's journal Sex Roles.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E7LrnG

New study debunks the theory of 'war-like' business competition in financial markets

(City University London) A new study, 'Toward a Social Practice Theory of Relational Competing' shows that the perception of war-like competitiveness is flawed and misleading. The research demonstrates that firms within syndicated financial markets, such as reinsurance, are just as likely to take a relational approach to competition, incorporating collaboration and reciprocity, contributing to and creating value for many players in the same market, even when they are rivals.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E6fD2x

Brexit is one of the greatest threats to women's rights

(University of Surrey) Brexit is one the greatest threats to women's rights and social inclusion, a new study in the Journal of Social Policy and Society reports.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DyrENk

Coming of age in Byzantium

(De Gruyter) The various phases of life and their manifestations in theory and social reality constitute a well-established area of research in the fields of western medieval studies and ancient history.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E9Jxmq

Lifestyle changes prevent cognitive decline even in genetically susceptible individuals

(University of Eastern Finland) Enhanced lifestyle counselling prevents cognitive decline even in people who are carriers of the APOE4 gene, a common risk factor of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study published in JAMA Neurology.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2naaaAq

OUP is now the proud publisher of the International Communication Association journals

(Oxford University Press USA) Beginning in January 2018, Oxford University Press is the proud publisher of the prestigious International Communication Association (ICA) journals.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rzCQYc

MIND diet may slow cognitive decline in stroke survivors

(Rush University Medical Center) A diet created by researchers at Rush University Medical Center may help substantially slow cognitive decline in stroke survivors, according to preliminary research presented on Jan. 25, at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2018 in Los Angeles. The finding are significant because stroke survivors are twice as likely to develop dementia compared to the general population.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rFa5JF

Four in 10 cardiomyopathies -- a major cause of sudden death in young people -- are genetic

(European Society of Cardiology) Four in 10 cardiomyopathies -- a major cause of sudden cardiac death and heart failure in young people -- are genetic, according to a European Society of Cardiology (ESC) study published today in European Heart Journal. Family screening is urgently needed to prevent early death in apparently healthy relatives, the paper says.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E7J7gv

Will supplements help your workout or diet routine?

(NIH/Office of Dietary Supplements) The new year is a time to set new goals, and for many people this means losing weight and improving fitness. Many people may turn to dietary supplements for a boost to their routines. To help cut the confusion, the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health has two new resources to help people understand what is known about the effectiveness and safety of many ingredients in dietary supplements promoted for fitness and weight loss.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DtCpjJ

Dr. Boukrina of Kessler Foundation explores treatments for reading deficits after stroke

(Kessler Foundation) 'The Trust's funding has enabled us identify people by type of reading problem, i.e., whether their primary problem is with word appearance, word meaning, or word sounds.' Our goal is to develop criteria for identifying high-risk patients on brain scan while they are hospitalized. Fundamental to effective intervention is early identification of reading problems. 'To identify people early on, we are looking at areas of brain damage associated with aphasia and type of reading difficulties.'

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DxW0zm

Brain-scan guided emergency stroke treatment can save more lives

(NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) Advances in brain imaging can identify a greater number of stroke patients who can receive therapy later than previously believed, according to a new study. The results of the Endovascular Therapy Following Imaging Evaluation for the Ischemic Stroke (DEFUSE 3) trial demonstrated that physically removing brain clots up to 16 hours after symptom onset in selected patients led to improved outcomes compared to standard medical therapy. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2FbyUif

Racism linked to uptake of smoking in young people

(King's College London) Adolescents who have experienced some form of racism between the ages of 11 and 23 are more likely to take up smoking than those who have not, according to a new study led by King's College London.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DFKRQ9

Federal grant expands testing for new nonmedication ADHD treatment

(Florida State University) The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $2 million grant to Florida State University to test two new nonmedication treatments for children with ADHD.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DC6qRZ

Zebrafish study provides new insights into autism spectrum disorder research

(Oregon State University) Exposure to a compound used to treat migraines and seizures causes characteristics associated with autism, groundbreaking research with zebrafish has demonstrated.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n4LARF

Fat cat? Here's how much to feed to lose weight

(University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences) Does your cat lay around all day, only getting up to eat and visit the litter box? Chances are, he's overweight. Maybe you've switched to the 'diet' cat food or tried feeding him less, but you might have noticed it's not easy to get that weight off. A new study from the University of Illinois explains what it takes to get kitty to slim down.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DHc6tW

Eating insects might seem yucky, but they are nutritious and there is no reason you can't

(Rutgers University) Almost all living primates still have working versions of the gene needed to produce a stomach enzyme that breaks down exoskeletons. This means that the 'yuck' factor when it comes to eating insects has nothing to do with nutrition, digestion or evolution.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2F8JKph

Scientific breakthrough could lead to better antipsychotic drugs

(University of North Carolina Health Care) 'If we want to create better medications, the first step is to see what the D2 receptor looks like in high-resolution detail when it's bound tightly to a drug,' said senior author Bryan L. Roth, MD, PhD, at the UNC School of Medicine. 'We now have the structure, and we're exploring it to find new compounds we hope can help the millions of people in need of better treatments.'

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2F6NOqf

ASA, AMS Issue statement on drawing of voting districts, partisan gerrymandering

(American Statistical Association) The American Statistical Association (ASA) and Council of the American Mathematical Society (AMS) have issued a joint statement to inform discussions and planning around the drawing of voting districts as we approach the 2020 census. This marks the first time in recent history the two organizations have issued a joint statement of broad interest to the American public.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n7AjA5

Changes to nursing home quality ratings system caused consumers to choose better providers

(University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) Health care report cards and quality ratings are intended to give consumers more information when choosing a care provider like a hospital or nursing home. Health economist Marcelo Perraillon of the Colorado School of Public Health at CU Anschutz evaluated whether a simplified rating system used by the website Nursing Home Compare motivated consumers to choose better-rated nursing homes.It has been a difficult problem in health economics and policy whether public reporting of quality information actually works in the absence of experimental data.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rx9UQG

Weather patterns, farm income, other factors, may be influencing opioid crisis

(Penn State) The overprescribing of opioid-based painkillers may be the main driver of the increased abuse of opioids in rural America, but economists say that other factors, including declining farm income, extreme weather and other natural disasters, may affect a crisis that is killing thousands of citizens and costing the country billions of dollars.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E6Tgdx

Study finds a third of households -- double previous estimates -- struggle to get food

(Ohio State University) The struggle to get enough nutritious food could be far worse than previously understood, according to a new study examining the intersection between hunger and the types of foods found at nearby stores.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E4xeYI

How a computer program can prevent a terrorist attack

(Colorado State University) After a terrorist attack, the question always arises: Could this have been prevented?The answer may lie at the intersection of data science and social science. A newly funded project among Colorado State University and Brandeis University researchers is aimed at creating a powerful, data-driven tool that can help law enforcement identify individuals headed toward violent extremism.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rC1pE4

Working in female-dominated workplaces means worse access to flexible working arrangements

(University of Kent) Workers in female-dominated workplaces have worse access to flexible working arrangements than those in gender-neutral and even male-dominated workplaces, new research from the University of Kent has found.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2GdcqyY

New tool helps prevent behavioral and mental health problems from escalating in school

(University of South Florida (USF Health)) With school shootings continuing to plague the US, districts across the nation are implementing a new mental health screening intended to detect concerns before students exhibit violent behavior.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rH1QNB

Non-profit to accelerate development of potential new Parkinson's drug

(Parkinson's UK) UK charity, Parkinson's UK is partnering with US biotech Neurolixis in a $1 million deal to accelerate the development of a potential cure for dyskinesia -- a severe side effect of common Parkinson's medication.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Gcheof

Army advances PTSD, other cognitive research through latest partnership

(U.S. Army Research Laboratory) New interventions improve Soldier readiness and resilience, as well as reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rzmv61

Medicaid expansion linked with better, more timely surgical care

(Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health) The Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion was linked to better access to surgery and higher quality surgical care, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study will be published online Jan. 24, 2018 in JAMA Surgery.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Gch8gn

Imagining a successful future can help students overcome everyday difficulties

(Springer) Having a clear picture in mind of what their future will look like can motivate students to keep going despite the challenges of college life. This strategy seems to be particularly effective for female students from relatively low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds says Mesmin Destin of Northwestern University in the US. He is the lead author of a study in Springer's journal Motivation and Emotion.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DCRF1f

How wind turbines annoy residents and how to reduce it

(Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg) When falling asleep, relaxing or undertaking recreational activities, nearly a third of residents living near a wind farm are not at all annoyed or only slightly annoyed by the noise of wind turbines. One in ten people experience symptoms of stress. However, noise is not the only problem. In particular, a critical attitude towards a wind farm stimulates the experience of stress.A better information policy during the planning phase could help alleviate problems for residents.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BpkHMD

Feelings determine from which side we embrace each other

(Ruhr-University Bochum) In emotionally charged situations, we tend to hug each other from the left side more often than in neutral contexts. Biopsychologists at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB), headed by Julian Packheiser, Noemi Rook and assistant professor Dr Sebastian Ocklenburg, established this fact by evaluating more than 2,500 hugs. They attribute this ratio to the way emotions are processed in the respective brain hemispheres.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2F90gWy

Infants recognize foreign languages as a form of communication

(New York University) Infants recognize that speech in a language not their own is used for communication, finds a new psychology study. The results offer new insights into how language is processed at a young age.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n6MdKo

Modern math sheds new light on long-standing debate about Viking-age Ireland conflict

(Coventry University) Modern mathematical techniques -- similar to those used to analyze social-networking websites -- have allowed academics to shed new light on a centuries old debate surrounding the Viking age in Ireland and the famous battle of Clontarf in 1014.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BpFShq

Frozen in time: Glacial archaeology on the roof of Norway

(University of Cambridge) Artefacts revealed by melting ice patches in the high mountains of Oppland shed new light on ancient high-altitude hunting.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://ift.tt/2F5L5ND

Study explores how propaganda recruits terrorists

(University of Massachusetts Lowell) Neil Shortland, director of the Center for Terrorism and Security Studies at UMass Lowell, recently won a $794,000 grant from the US Department of Defense to study how terrorists use propaganda to recruit members to their ranks and which types of individuals are inclined to be influenced by such tactics.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n4x23C

Flourishing under an abusive boss? You may be a psychopath, study shows

(University of Notre Dame) According to research from Notre Dame, certain types of 'psychopaths' actually benefit and flourish under abusive bosses.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2F4fNqz

Brain reorganization supports recovery of function in hand transplant recipients

(University of Missouri-Columbia) When a person loses a hand, nerves that control sensation and movement are severed. This trauma deprives sensory and movement areas of the brain of stimulation, causing them to reorganize their functions. Researchers at the University of Missouri, reports that higher-level regions of the brain may compensate for reorganizational changes in brain areas responsible for hand sensation and movement. The scientists received a $1.7 million DOD grant to further study the results.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E3w8wq

When the eyes move, the eardrums move, too

(Duke University) Simply moving the eyes triggers the eardrums to move too, even in the absence of sound, says a new study by Duke University neuroscientists. The findings, which were replicated in both humans and rhesus monkeys, provide new insight into how the brain coordinates what we see and what we hear. It may also lead to new understanding of hearing disorders, such as difficulty following a conversation in a crowded room.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2GaTIYI

Personality changes during transition to developing mild cognitive impairment

(American Geriatrics Society) Personality changes and behavior problems that come with Alzheimer's disease are as troubling as memory loss and other mental difficulties for caregivers and those living with the condition. Mayo Clinic researchers wondered if personality changes that begin early, when MCI memory loss becomes noticeable, might help predict Alzheimer's disease at its earliest stages. The researchers created a study to test their theory and published their findings in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DvtIpc

New DNA database at Rutgers-Camden to strengthen forensic science

(Rutgers University) A new database at Rutgers University-Camden is now available to help to bring more reliability to the interpretation of complex DNA evidence. This innovative new resource was developed by a research team led by Rutgers University-Camden professors Catherine Grgicak and Desmond Lun, and Ken Duffy of the University of Ireland at Maynooth.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2F6waCO

Married veterans more at risk of suicide than single soldiers

(University of Connecticut) Among recently returned veterans, a new study says those who are married or living with a partner are at higher suicide risk than soldiers who are single, and older married female veterans are at the greatest risk.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n5qRgk

Researcher to study blunt use among African-American young adults using social media

(University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center) A new study at the University of Cincinnati Addiction Sciences Division at the College of Medicine will use Twitter to engage blunt users in discussion about the health effects of smoking marijuana and tobacco.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BnhnBm

Large study finds higher rates of early substance use among children with ADHD

(University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences) Children with ADHD engaged in substance use at a younger age and had a significantly higher prevalence of regular marijuana and cigarette use as adults.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Gb3TMH

New report one of the most comprehensive studies on health effects of e-cigarettes

(National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) A new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine takes a comprehensive look at evidence on the human health effects of e-cigarettes. Although the research base is limited given the relatively short time e-cigarettes have been used, the committee that conducted the study identified and examined over 800 peer-reviewed scientific studies, reaching dozens of conclusions about a range of health impacts.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rAikXH

Lifting the veil on 'valence,' brain study reveals roots of desire, dislike

(Picower Institute at MIT) Focusing on a particular section called the basolateral amygdala, researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory show how valence-processing circuitry -- which determines whether we assign good or bad feelings about stimuli -- is organized and how key neurons in those circuits interact with others.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n3P5b4

Forensic researchers find more accurate way to estimate age of deceased

(North Carolina State University) Forensic researchers have found a more accurate way to assess an individual's age at death, based on the bone mineral density of the femur. The technique could be used to help identify human remains.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://ift.tt/2rwCaD1

Brief exposure to charismatic career women inspires female students to pursue same field

(Southern Methodist University) A simple, low-cost experiment to encourage women to enter the male-dominated field of economics was surprisingly effective, says economist Danila Serra, Southern Methodist University, Dallas. Top female college students were inspired to pursue economics when exposed very briefly to charismatic, successful women in the field, says co-author Serra. The successful results suggest that exposing young women to an inspiring female role model could spark similar interventions in other male-dominated fields of study to enhance gender diversity.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n47Bjk

Prosecuting background check and straw purchase violations depends on state laws

(Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health) Study examined prosecutions following tougher sentencing for 'straw arm' purchases in Pennsylvania and a Maryland court decision that redefined private firearm transfers.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rCO5zt

Forensic researchers find more accurate way to estimate age of deceased

(North Carolina State University) Forensic researchers have found a more accurate way to assess an individual's age at death, based on the bone mineral density of the femur. The technique could be used to help identify human remains.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rwCaD1

Biomechanical mapping method aids development of therapies for damaged heart tissue

(The Optical Society) Researchers have developed a new way to capture the detailed biomechanical properties of heart tissue. The high-resolution optical technique fills an important technology gap necessary to develop and test therapies that might eventually be used to heal heart damage after a heart attack.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2G7ScXc

Cognitive training helps regain a younger-working brain

(Center for BrainHealth ) Researchers at the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas say their research could provide new hope for extending our brain function as we age. In a randomized clinical study involving adults age 56 to 71 that recently published in Neurobiology of Aging, researchers found that after cognitive training, participants' brains were more energy efficient, meaning their brain did not have to work as hard to perform a task.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rweiQ9

Short-course treatment for combat-related PTSD offers expedited path to recovery

(University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine) Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be debilitating and standard treatment can take months, often leaving those affected unable to work or care for their families. But, a new study demonstrated that many PTSD sufferers can benefit from an expedited course of treatment. In the first study of its kind, prolonged exposure (PE) therapy was found to be as effective when administered over two weeks as when it is provided over eight weeks for treating PTSD in active-duty military personnel.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Bo1k6o

Study compares risks between methods of sterilization

(JAMA Network) Hysteroscopic sterilization, a non-surgical procedure that involves placing small implants in the fallopian tubes to render a woman infertile, was associated with an increased risk of gynecological complications (most notably sterilization failure with subsequent pregnancy) compared to surgical sterilization, but there were no differences between the two approaches in medical outcomes.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n4FUHd

Press registration opens for 2018 spring national meeting of the American Chemical Society

(American Chemical Society) Journalists may now apply for press credentials for the American Chemical Society's 255th National Meeting & Exposition, one of the largest scientific conferences of the year. It will be held March 18-22, 2018, in New Orleans.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DF01oO

Warning follows report into online child sexual abuse risk

(Lancaster University) If the public are serious about wanting to protect children from online sexual abuse more investment in skilled professionals is needed now.The stark warning comes from researchers following publication of a new report commissioned by the Independent Inquiry on Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) which coincided with the first day of the public hearing into online child sexual abuse.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Blr6It

A video database for cellular tracking created, useful in the fight against cancer

(Universidad Carlos III de Madrid) Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), the University Hospital Gregorio Marañón (HGUGM) and Universidad de Navarra have, together with other international institutions, developed a video database for cellular tracking that can be used to determine alterations involved in illnesses such as cancer.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n3rS8W

Only 1 in 10 patients with anxiety disorders receives the right treatment

(IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)) The results of an international study commissioned by the World Mental Health with a sample of more than 51,500 individuals from 21 different countries, reveals that 10% of people suffer anxiety. Of these, only 27.6% have received some type of treatment, and this was considered appropriate in only 9.8% of the cases. It is the first time a study has described the treatment gap in anxiety disorders at an international level.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n7ZF0P

Princesses and action heroes are for boys and girls

(Springer) Given the chance, young boys will try out dolls, and girls will play with cars and building blocks. It's even possible to encourage the two sexes to play together without too much moaning, says Lauren Spinner of the University of Kent in the UK, lead author of a study in Springer's journal Sex Roles.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DELQjJ

Smart baby pillows for flat head syndrome prevention

(Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)) A team of students, affiliated with South Korea's Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has succeeded in developing a smart baby pillow to help prevent and correct mild cases of flat head syndrome. This innovative device has also recently won a gold award at a business idea competition.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2F81S2v

UNIST startups selected for prestigious tech incubator program for startup

(Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)) Six startup companies, affiliated with South Korea's Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have been selected to partake in Prestigious Tech Incubator Program for Startup (TIPS) by the Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DzidQX

The concept of constitution in the history of political thought

(De Gruyter Open) The aim of the present volume is to discuss the notion of constitution from the perspectives of history of political thought. Its scholarly intention is to go beyond the approach concentrating on the formal understanding of constitution and bring forward more complex historical and philosophic-political interpretations.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2F52ar0

Function of protein 'smallish' unraveled

(University of Cologne) To make a fully grown organism in the right shape, the forms of many cells need to be changed in a coordinated way. Researchers from the Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research (CECAD) in Cologne identified a gene that is in charge of the shape of the cell. Their results have been published in the Journal of Cell Biology.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E3bWuH

Curcumin improves memory and mood, new UCLA study says

(University of California - Los Angeles) Daily consumption of a certain form of curcumin -- the substance that gives Indian curry its bright color -- improved memory and mood in people with mild, age-related memory loss,

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DuO7KS

Energy storehouses in the brain may be source of Alzheimer's, targets of new therapy

(Arizona State University) In a new study, researchers at the ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center examine the effects of the disease on the functioning of mitochondria -- structures performing a variety of essential tasks, including supplying cells with energy.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2F78sGx

NTU Singapore and BlueSG launch ultra-fast charging electric shuttle

(Nanyang Technological University) NTU Singapore, BlueSG and JTC Corporation launched an ultra-fast charging electric shuttle. The 22-seater, emission-free shuttle undergoes 20 seconds of quick charging at charging stations while passengers board or alight.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DwjftO

Study reveals perceived gender bias against women is dominant factor in college major choice

(New York University) College-bound women are not less likely to enter specific fields because more math or science is required, but rather because of the gender discrimination they are likely to encounter in those fields, finds a new nationally representative longitudinal study published in the American Educational Research Journal.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E3USEw

Reduced attention to audiovisual synchrony in infancy predicts autism diagnosis

(Uppsala University) An ability to integrate information from different sensory modalities is important for infants' development and for their perception of the environment. A new study suggests that infants who pay little attention to synchronous sights and sounds may be at elevated risk for developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Dwetfu

Study shows how fetal infections may cause adult heart disease

(University of Washington Health Sciences/UW Medicine) Infants born prematurely are known to have a higher risk of developing heart disease later in life. Now, a study led by researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle shows that, in preterm animal models, inflammation due to infection can disrupt the activity of genes that are crucial for normal development of the heart. The findings point to the importance of developing better ways to prevent or therapeutically target inflammation in the fetus to reduce long-term health problems.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E2sS4u

Number of older people with four or more diseases will double by 2035, say researchers

(Newcastle University) A study published today in Age and Ageing, the scientific journal of the British Geriatrics Society, reports that the number of older people diagnosed with four or more diseases will double between 2015 and 2035.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BniQHV

Hungry for solutions: New research tackles college hunger

(University of Houston) If you're too hungry to study, can you learn? University of Houston's Daphne Hernandez launches a study of hunger among college students and evaluates a local intervention, food scholarships.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DCZmVe

Researchers find latent HIV reservoirs inherently resistant to elimination by CD8+ T-cells

(George Washington University) A research team at GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences found that latent HIV reservoirs exhibit resistance to elimination by CD8+ T-cells.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2F4fhJc

How very low birth weight affects brain development

(Norwegian University of Science and Technology) Children born with very low birth weights are at an increased risk of cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems throughout their lives. But what exactly happens in the brain to cause these problems?

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2G5e8lR

Researchers borrow from AIDS playbook to tackle rheumatic heart disease

(Case Western Reserve University) Billions of US taxpayer dollars have been invested in Africa over the past 15 years to improve care for millions suffering from the HIV/AIDS epidemic; yet health systems on the continent continue to struggle. What if the investments and lessons learned from HIV could be used to improve care for those with other serious chronic conditions?

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2E2nb6F

Prescription drug abuse prevention at CU Anschutz receives $1.5 million

(University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) The Colorado Health Foundation has invested more than $1.5 million to advance Colorado's efforts to fight substance abuse and the opioid epidemic plaguing the state.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2rt9vyT

European science on the map at Davos summit

(European Research Council) The European Research Council (ERC) will bring cutting-edge science to the forefront at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) from 23 to 26 January in Davos, Switzerland. Using ideas arising from this year's meeting theme: 'Creating a shared future in a fractured world', the ERC's President, Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, and eleven remarkable scientists and scholars will feed into the debate, via fourteen sessions.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n0KrKW

Overall in-hospital cardiac arrest survival improves, lower survival on nights, weekends

(American College of Cardiology) Overall survival has improved for the approximately 200,000 patients experiencing in-hospital cardiac arrest in the US each year, but patients who arrest during nights or weekends continue to experience lower survival compared to patients who arrest during daytime hours. Survival to discharge in patients who arrested during 'off-hours' was an absolute 3.8 percent lower compared to patients who arrested during 'on-hours,' according to a study published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2Bk3Nii

The role of cranial modification in identity formation

(University of Chicago Press Journals) It has long been recognized that the Inka incorporated diverse peoples into their empire, but how these ethnic groups developed historically during the political upheaval of the preceding Late Intermediate Period (LIP; AD 1100-1450) is only now receiving commensurate attention.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DpCd5e

The ins and outs of Area 25

(Society for Neuroscience) Neuroscientists have charted the incoming and outgoing connections of a brain region located deep within the monkey prefrontal cortex that has important roles in emotion and memory processes. The comprehensive, high-resolution map reported in JNeurosci provides new insight into how emotional regulation may become disrupted in psychiatric disorders.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BkJXUa

The role of cranial modification in identity formation

(University of Chicago Press Journals) It has long been recognized that the Inka incorporated diverse peoples into their empire, but how these ethnic groups developed historically during the political upheaval of the preceding Late Intermediate Period (LIP; AD 1100-1450) is only now receiving commensurate attention.

from EurekAlert! - Archaeology http://ift.tt/2DpCd5e

BU: Marijuana use does not lower chances of getting pregnant

(Boston University School of Medicine) Marijuana use -- by either men or women -- does not appear to lower a couple's chances of getting pregnant, according to a new study led by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) researchers.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2G5RauM

Have Brexit and the US presidential election made you more radical?

(University of Limerick) New Irish research suggests that political disillusionment leads to more extreme political views. The research, published this week in Social Psychological and Personality Science, found that the experience of disillusionment is likely to occur when people's political goals are not realised or their strong convictions are proved inaccurate or false. The authors warn that the rise of political polarisation in several Western democracies has coincided with a loss of faith in democratic processes.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2ruZscz

Feedback enhances brainwave control of a novel hand-exoskeleton

(Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) EPFL scientists are developing a lightweight and portable hand exoskeleton that can be controlled with brainwaves. The device enhances performance of brain-machine interfaces and can restore functional grasps for the physically impaired.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2n1GDrV

Vandana Gopikumar to receive 2018 Penn Nursing Renfield Award for Global Women's Health

(University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing) Vandana Gopikumar, PhD, Co-Founder of The Banyan and The Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health will receive the 2018 Penn Nursing Renfield Foundation Award for Global Women's Health for her work in helping women with mental health problems in India. She co-founded both organizations with Vaishnavi Jayakumar. Gopikumar will receive the award - which comes with a $100,000 cash prize - during an event at the University of Pennsylvania on March 21, 2018.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DD3MLP

Housing instability negatively affects the health of children and caregivers

(Boston Medical Center) When families don't have stable housing, their risk of struggling with poor health outcomes and material hardships, such as food insecurity, increases, according to a new study from Children's HealthWatch. Researchers surveyed over 22,000 families and found that one third of low-income renters were housing unstable, which was associated with negative impacts on their health.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BkBYGw

Smart rollator motivates elderly to exercise more

(VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland) VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Orton are exploring the benefits and impacts of technology in motivating seniors to increase physical activity.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DuNjtE

Improving vaccines for the elderly by blocking inflammation

(University College London) By identifying why skin immunity declines in old age, a UCL-led research team has found that an anti-inflammatory pill could help make vaccines more effective for elderly people.The study, published today in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found that an excessive inflammation reaction in older people can obstruct the immune system.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2BkfQw5

Crows 'hooked' on fast food

(University of St. Andrews) Biologists at the universities of St. Andrews and Edinburgh have discovered why some crows 'craft' elaborate hooked tools out of branched twigs.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2F0KnS0

Researchers discover that female cats are more likely to be right-handed

(Queen's University Belfast) Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have found that female cats are much more likely to use their right paw than males.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DXlM0P

BU: Young men who have sex with men receive less HIV education

(Boston University School of Medicine) Young men who have sex with men (MSM) are at much higher risk of HIV infection compared to their peers, but a new study led by a Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) researcher suggests young MSM are less likely to receive school-based HIV education than young men who only have sex with women.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2DpYDD7