|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Public Release: 1-Aug-2013
Las Cumbres Observatory 'Sinistro' astronomy imager captures first light The Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope has captured its first on-sky images with the production Sinistro CCD camera. Contact: David Petry Public Release: 1-Aug-2013
Does the ambulance service need more training in mental health issues? Ruth Elliot, Senior Lecturer in the department of Mental Health and Learning Disability at the University of Huddersfield, has published an article discussing the need for a national 'Mental Health Pathway' to enable paramedics to provide the appropriate care for people who present mental health issues. Contact: Megan Beech Public Release: 31-Jul-2013
Sensitive parenting can boost premature children's school performance Sensitive parenting helps protect against the negative effects of being born prematurely on children's school success, a new study has found. Contact: Anna Blackaby Public Release: 31-Jul-2013
How do student characteristics predict university graduation odds? While policymakers often blame university systems for low graduation among college students, according to new research, characteristics known about a student before he or she even enters a college classroom can accurately predict graduation rates. This new study, published in SAGE Open, finds that characteristics such as full-time enrollment status, race, transfer credits, and expected family contribution predict successful graduation from college. Contact: Camille Gamboa Public Release: 30-Jul-2013
Preventing the 'Freshman 15' via the Web A new study published in the July/August 2013 issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior evaluated the motivational effects of Project WebHealth, a web-based health promotion intervention developed to prevent excessive weight gain in college students. Researchers found that specific procedures and components of Project WebHealth successfully motivated students to improve their weight-related health behaviors and that the level of motivation differed by gender. Contact: Eileen Leahy Public Release: 30-Jul-2013
Environmental awareness develops at an early age In a piece of research carried out on children under eight, José Domingo Villarroel has reached the conclusion that it is from an early age that they develop the awareness that leads them to protect the environment. Indeed, they refuse to tread on a flower, for example. What is more, this awareness can emerge before they are capable of differentiating between living beings and non-living beings. Contact: Aitziber Lasa Public Release: 30-Jul-2013
Early school engagement helps youths avoid problem behaviors and eventual dropout School engagement helps youths avoid problem behaviors and eventual dropout. Researchers surveyed 1,300 youths in seventh through eleventh grades over a seven-year period on topics including problem behaviors, school engagement, and relationships with parents and teachers. Findings suggest that behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement may help students cope with stressors, setbacks, and difficulties in school. Researchers also highlighted the importance of a supportive learning environment that allows students to feel competent and autonomous. Contact: Sarah Mandell Public Release: 30-Jul-2013
Children with disabilities in developing countries at risk for harsher punishment Children with disabilities who live in developing countries are more likely to experience harsh punishment than children without disabilities in those countries. It is estimated that 80 percent of those with a disability are living in low- or middle-income countries. Researchers looked at data from 46,000 parents and other caregivers of 2- to 9-year-olds in 17 low- and middle-income countries. They found that children with disabilities are especially vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and violence. Contact: Sarah Mandell Public Release: 29-Jul-2013
New technology allows scientists, school children to examine biological details Now, new computer technology is making highly sophisticated biological systems available for viewing by students and researchers. In a new study, a scientist from the University of Missouri's School of Medicine found that 3D computer modeling can complement the study of biological systems for many species. Contact: Christian Basi Public Release: 29-Jul-2013
Prison reform results in strain on welfare system The burden of improved conditions in state prisons may be borne by welfare recipients, according to new research from Rice University and Louisiana State University. Contact: David Ruth Public Release: 26-Jul-2013
Give them a hand: Gesturing children perform well on cognitive tasks Young children who use gestures outperform their peers in problem-solving tasks, says a study due to be published in the Aug., 2013 issue of Developmental Psychology. Children aged between two and five were asked to sort cards printed with colored shapes first by color, then by shape. Making this switch can be tricky but the study found that kids who gesture are more likely to make the mental switch and group the shapes accurately. Contact: Elaine Bible Public Release: 26-Jul-2013
1-year results of ADAPT-DES trial published in The Lancet Patients who receive a drug-eluting stent and demonstrate high platelet reactivity on clopidogrel are more likely to have blood clots form on the stent and to suffer a heart attack; however, these patients are less likely to develop bleeding complications. One-year results of the ADAPT-DES trial will be published online July 26, 2013, in The Lancet. The findings were first presented at last year's Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics annual scientific symposium. Contact: Judy Romero Public Release: 25-Jul-2013
Educators explore innovative 'theater' as a way to help students learn physics By physically acting out the flow of energy, students develop an intuitive understanding of challenging science concepts. Contact: James Riordon Public Release: 25-Jul-2013
Effect of obesity on patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer Obesity increases health risks for many things. Researchers wanted to know the impact of obesity on outcomes of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. In the September issue of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's journal, the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, researchers conclude that obese patients had superior outcomes early on in the study, but then experienced increased hazards. Contact: Kristal Griffith Public Release: 25-Jul-2013
Need for national Canadian strategy for EGFR testing Researchers in Canada examined the barriers to the initial implementation of the national EGFR testing policy. In the September issue of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's journal, the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, researchers conclude that the uptake of EGFR mutation testing dropped substantially once funding from the pharmaceutical industry was discontinued. Contact: Kristal Griffith Public Release: 25-Jul-2013
Researchers find potential new target to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma In the September issue of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's journal, the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, researchers conclude that Ephrin B2 seems to play an important role in malignant pleural mesothelioma cell lines and tumors. Contact: Kristal Griffith Public Release: 25-Jul-2013
Cinderellas reign in Final Four ratings Research shows that Cinderella teams boost Final Four ratings by 35 percent - 3 million more homes in a semifinal and 4.5 million in a title game. Contact: Joe Hadfield Public Release: 24-Jul-2013
A magnetic pen for smartphones adds another level of conveniences A doctoral candidate at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed a magnetically driven pen interface that works both on and around mobile devices. This interface, called the MagPen, can be used for any type of smartphones and tablet computers so long as they have magnetometers embedded in. Contact: Lan Yoon Public Release: 24-Jul-2013
Cognitive performance is better in girls whose walk to school lasts more than 15 minutes The authors of this study analyzed a sample of 1700 boys and girls aged between 13 and 18 years (808 boys and 892 girls) in five Spanish cities (Granada, Madrid, Murcia, Santander and Zaragoza). Contact: Palma Chillón Public Release: 24-Jul-2013
Professionals often attribute applicants' success to personal traits, not circumstance Professionals evaluating graduate school or job applicants frequently attribute applicants' credentials to their personal qualities rather than their circumstances, according to research published July 24 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Samuel Swift from the University of California, Berkeley and colleagues from other institutions. Contact: Jyoti Madhusoodanan Public Release: 22-Jul-2013
When college diversity delivers benefits: UMD study The benefits of race-conscious college admissions are only fully realized under certain conditions, concludes new University of Maryland-led research. To stimulate meaningful cross-racial engagement, incoming freshman classes should reflect both race and socio-economic diversity, the researchers report. The study appears in the June 2013 "American Educational Research Journal." Both socioeconomic and racial diversity are essential to promoting a positive campus racial climate," the researchers write. "Racial and socioeconomic diversity, while interrelated, are not interchangeable." Contact: Neil Tickner Public Release: 22-Jul-2013
Scientists identify key to learning new words For the first time scientists have identified how a pathway in the brain which is unique to humans allows us to learn new words. Contact: Katya Nasim Public Release: 22-Jul-2013
We need long term youth projects, not short term funding, says Huddersfield researcher Dr. Helen Jones, a Course Leader in the School of Education and Professional Development at the University of Huddersfield, has published a piece of work that makes recommendations for future youth work, based on a study rooted in Yorkshire. Contact: Megan Beech Public Release: 19-Jul-2013
All-male physics departments are not proof of bias against hiring women, suggests new AIP study Many US universities have no women at all among their physics faculty, and when people talk about gender equity in physics, this fact is often cited as evidence of a hiring bias. But a new analysis by the American Institute of Physics Statistical Research Center challenges this argument, finding that the existence of all-male departments is not necessarily evidence of a hiring bias. Contact: Jason Socrates Bardi Public Release: 18-Jul-2013
Singing helps students tune into a foreign language, study shows Singing in a foreign language can significantly improve learning how to speak it, according to a new study. Contact: Edd McCracken |