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press releases.

Science6 May 2024

SwRI’s Herron named 2024 ASSP Safety Professional of the Year

SAN ANTONIO — May 6, 2024 —The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has named Southwest Research Institute’s Matthew Herron, M.S., P.E., CSP, CPE, its 2024 Safety Professional of the Year. The award is presented annually to an ASSP member who demonstrates outstanding achievement in the occupational safety and health (OSH) field while also advancing the OSH profession overall. “It’s a great honor to be recognized by the ASSP as Safety Professional of the Year,” said Herron, a lead safety engineer in SwRI’s Mechanical Engineering Division. “I firmly ...

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Science6 May 2024

Improvement seen in most participants of pioneering CRISPR gene editing trial

PORTLAND, Oregon – About 79% of clinical trial participants experienced measurable improvement after receiving experimental, CRISPR-based gene editing that is designed to fix a rare form of blindness, according to a paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine. “This trial shows CRISPR gene editing has exciting potential to treat inherited retinal degeneration,” said Mark Pennesi, M.D., Ph.D., a corresponding author on the paper, an ophthalmologist and Oregon Health & Science University’s lead scientist for the Phase ...

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Science6 May 2024

Human ‘neural compass’ pinpointed in new study

A pattern of brain activity that helps prevent us from getting lost has been identified in a new study, published in Nature Human Behaviour. Researchers at the University of Birmingham and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich have for the first time been able to pinpoint the location of an internal neural compass which the human brain uses to orientate itself in space and navigate through the environment. The research identifies finely tuned head direction signals within the brain. The results are comparable to neural codes identified in ...

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Science6 May 2024

Personalized screening early in pregnancy may improve preeclampsia detection

Research Highlights: A personalized screening algorithm for preeclampsia in the first trimester of pregnancy may help clinicians better predict who is at risk for developing the condition and who may benefit from treatment with a daily, low-dose aspirin. In this study of more than 7,000 women, the new screening method, which combined maternal history, biomarker tests and ultrasound tests, was better at identifying preeclampsia risk in than current risk factor-based guidelines. Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET Monday, May 6, 2024 DALLAS, May 6, 2024 — A new screening algorithm for preeclampsia combining maternal history, ...

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Science6 May 2024

A better way to ride a motorcycle

Motorcycles are designed to accommodate the average-sized rider, leaving taller and shorter riders vulnerable to discomfort. A new study from the University of Waterloo used software that predicted realistic motorcycle riding behaviours, considering human factors and ergonomic trade-offs. It found that shorter and taller statures require joint adjustments to achieve their preferred riding posture. Taller riders are required to flex their ankles, knees, hips and elbows more to interact with the motorcycle properly, ...

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Science4 May 2024

Racial and ethnic disparities in all-cause and cause-specific mortality among US youth

About The Study: Racial and ethnic disparities were observed for almost all leading causes of injury and disease that were associated with recent increases in youth mortality rates. Addressing the increasing disparities affecting American Indian or Alaska Native and Black youth will require efforts to prevent homicide and suicide, especially those events involving firearms. Authors: Elizabeth R. Wolf, M.D., M.P.H., of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in Richmond, is the corresponding author. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jama.2024.3908) Editor’s ...

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Science4 May 2024

Tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova honored at A Conversation With a Living Legend®

HOUSTON ― Cancer survivors and tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova participated in a fireside-style chat on Wednesday, May 1, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s signature event, A Conversation with a Living Legend ®, hosted at the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston. The sold-out event raised more than $1.5 million for cell therapy research at MD Anderson with a ticketed audience of 800+. Past Living Legend honoree and co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America, Robin Roberts, led the onstage interview with Evert and Navratilova, and ABC13 Houston’s ...

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Science3 May 2024

Aligned peptide ‘noodles’ could enable lab-grown biological tissues

HOUSTON – (May 3, 2024) – A team of chemists and bioengineers at Rice University and the University of Houston have achieved a significant milestone in their work to create a biomaterial that can be used to grow biological tissues outside the human body. The development of a novel fabrication process to create aligned nanofiber hydrogels could offer new possibilities for tissue regeneration after injury and provide a way to test therapeutic drug candidates without the use of animals. The research team, led by Jeffrey Hartgerink, professor of chemistry and bioengineering, has developed peptide-based hydrogels that mimic the aligned structure of muscle and ...

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Science3 May 2024

Law fails victims of financial abuse from their partner, research warns

Victims of financial abuse from their partner in England and Wales are being failed by an “inadequate” legal response, new research warns. Coerced debt causes considerable harm. People often live with the effects of being forced to give money or take out loans or credit cards long after the abusive relationship has ended. Using the law to tackle it is more complex than other forms of abuse because to be free of the harmful effects of the abuse people’s contractual liability for the debt may need to be set aside. The law often favours lenders, who have little obligation to ensure that transactions are free from coercion. New research recommends ...

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Science3 May 2024

The American Ornithological Society (AOS) names Judit Szabo as new Ornithological Applications editor-in-chief

May 3, 2024—CHICAGO—The American Ornithological Society (AOS) is pleased to announce Judit K. Szabo, Ph.D., as the incoming editor-in-chief for its top-ranked journal, Ornithological Applications. Beginning on May 1, 2024, Szabo will work in partnership with the journal’s current editor-in-chief, Catherine Lindell, Ph.D., until June 30, 2024, and will take on full responsibility as editor-in-chief beginning on July 1, 2024. “With her international interest and network, conservation experience, and thoughtful approach ...

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Science3 May 2024

Novel thrombectomy system demonstrates positive safety and feasibility results in treating acute pulmonary embolism

Long Beach, Calif. – May 3, 2024 – Late-breaking data from the ENGULF trial showed that a novel dual-action thrombectomy device was effective and safe in treating acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The safety and effectiveness results were presented today as late-breaking science at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) 2024 Scientific Sessions and simultaneously published in JSCAI. PE is a serious cardiovascular event where a blood clot causes issues with blood flow and oxygen levels in the lungs. It can be ...

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Science3 May 2024

Pilot program improves well-being of families during advanced care planning

WASHINGTON (May 3, 2024) – Children with life-limiting rare diseases and their caregivers face tremendous stress and anxiety about the heart-breaking decisions before them. A new intervention – designed at Children’s National Hospital to support the palliative needs of these families – improved their spiritual and emotional well-being, according to new research published in the journal, Pediatrics. Called FACE Rare (FAmily CEntered Pediatric Advance Care Planning Intervention for Rare Diseases), the counseling tools were found to be safe, effective and increased feelings of peace among families in this underserved ...

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Science3 May 2024

Announcing Junevity as Tier 3 Sponsor of ARDD 2024

The University of Copenhagen is excited to announce Junevity as a Tier 3 Sponsor of the 11th Aging Research & Drug Discovery Meeting, the world's largest conference on aging research in the biopharmaceutical industry that will transpire on August 26 - August 30, 2024 on-site at the Ceremonial Hall, University of Copenhagen, and online. Junevity is rewinding diseases of aging with novel transcription factor medicines. Based on 6 years of breakthrough research at UCSF, Junevity's REWINDTM platform identifies new targets based on large-scale genomics, machine learning, and cell aging experiments. Junevity is advancing multiple therapeutic programs towards ...

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Science3 May 2024

Lepra in the middle ages: New insights on transmission pathways through squirrels

Researchers at the University of Basel and the University of Zurich have been able to prove that British squirrels carried leprosy bacteria as early as the Middle Ages. Further results revealed a link between the pathogens found in the medieval rodents and those in the local human population during that period. Skin spots, deformed noses, ulcers: leprosy, is an infectious disease that can bring about some serious symptoms. The bacterium responsible, Mycobacterium leprae, which still infects around 200,000 people each year especially in the Global South, also has a long history in Europe. The international research group led by paleogeneticist Professor Verena Schünemann ...

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Science3 May 2024

The Foundational Questions Institute, FQxI, appoints Pinar Emirdag to Board of Directors

The Foundational Questions Institute, FQxI, a philanthropically-funded science funding agency and think tank, is delighted to announce that Dr Pinar Emirdag has been appointed to the Institute’s Board of Directors. Emirdag, a financial services executive and entrepreneur, is currently director of Hupomone Ventures, having previously spearheaded industry-changing initiatives at institutions such as JP Morgan, Citi and the London Stock Exchange and at start-ups including Lava Trading and Clearmatics. FQxI’s Chief Operating Officer Kavita ...

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Science3 May 2024

Towards transparent and antimicrobial surfaces for touch displays

The interest in antimicrobial solutions for personal and multi-user touch screens, such as tablets and mobile devices, has grown in recent years. Traditional methods like sprayable alcohols or wipes are not ideal for these delicate displays. Antimicrobial coatings applied directly to the glass are a promising alternative, but only if they are transparent and long-lasting. Previous proposed coating solutions, such as photocatalytic metal oxides (e.g., TiO2 and ZnO), have posed some challenges. Additionally, these coatings typically require light and moisture to be antimicrobial and eliminate the microbes present on the surface. Copper ...

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Science3 May 2024

Leadership in MS Rehabilitation recognized: John DeLuca, PhD, awarded 2024 Giants of MS® Honor

East Hanover, NJ – May 3, 2024 – John DeLuca, PhD, of Kessler Foundation was named recipient of the 2024 Giants of Multiple Sclerosis® award for rehabilitation. He was one of seven inductees announced by NeurologyLive® and the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) this week. Dr. DeLuca is senior vice president, Research and Training at the Foundation and a professor in the departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Neurology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Established in 2021, the Giants of Multiple Sclerosis award honors trailblazers, innovators, and visionaries ...

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Science3 May 2024

High rates of hip osteoarthritis among older adults with spinal deformity

Waltham — April 30, 2024 — One-third of patients undergoing surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) also have severe osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip – which is associated with worse spinal alignment and physical functioning, reports a study in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio in partnership with Wolters Kluwer. These differences persist even following operative treatment of ASD, ...

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Science3 May 2024

Study: Longer use of breathing device supports lung growth in preterm infants

Extending the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in premature infants by two weeks significantly increases lung volume and lung diffusion capacity, according to a new study. The research will be presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2024 Meeting, held May 3-6 in Toronto. CPAP treatment is common for preterm infants with breathing issues, but researchers note there is no consensus on optimal treatment length when the preterm infant is doing well. Preterm birth is the most common cause of altered lung development and breathing issues that can last into adulthood, experts say. “Extending CPAP treatment ...

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Science3 May 2024

New study challenges one-size-fits-all approach to vitamin D supplementation guidelines

New study challenges one-size-fits-all approach to vitamin D supplementation guidelines Researchers believe their findings have significant implications for the development of tailored recommendations for vitamin D supplementation A new study from Trinity College Dublin scientists, sheds light on the complexities of achieving optimal vitamin D status across diverse populations. Despite substantial research on the determinants of vitamin D, levels of vitamin D deficiency remain high. The study was recently published in the journal Clinical Nutrition [Thursday, 2nd May 2024]. Dr Margaret ...

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Science3 May 2024

MBL Director Nipam Patel elected to National Academy of Sciences

WOODS HOLE, Mass. -- Nipam Patel, director of the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) and a professor at the University of Chicago, was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) this week in recognition of his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Election to the Academy is a widely accepted mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive. Patel will be formally inducted at the Academy’s Annual Meeting in 2025. Patel is a leading scholar in modern developmental ...

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Science3 May 2024

Lahar detection system upgraded for mount rainier

In the shadow of Washington State’s Mount Rainier, about 90,000 people live in the path of a potential large lahar—a destructive, fluid and fast-moving debris flow associated with volcanic slopes. At the Seismological Society of America (SSA)’s 2024 Annual Meeting, U.S. Geological Survey volcano seismologist Seth Moran described how he and his colleagues have expanded and made upgrades to a detection system that would inform alerts to those living near the Seattle-area volcano in the event of the next lahar. Volcanic eruptions usually cause lahars by rapidly melting ...

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Science3 May 2024

NCSA's Bill Gropp elected to AAAS Council

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society. Its mission is to “Advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all.” The AAAS publishes a number of prestigious scientific journals through their Science family of titles. The organization recently held elections for its leadership positions. This year, NCSA’s director, Bill Gropp, was elected as Council Member of the Section on Information, Computing, and Communication. Gropp began his term on March 15 and will continue to serve as Council Member for the remainder ...

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Science2 May 2024

Rice’s Harvey, Ramesh named to National Academy of Sciences

HOUSTON – (May 2, 2024) – Rice University’s Ramamoorthy Ramesh and Frank Reese Harvey are among 120 new U.S. members elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) “in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research,” according to a statement from the organization. Members are elected by their peers based on their contribution to one of six areas of scientific inquiry following an extensive vetting process. Established in 1863 through an act of Congress, NAS serves as a source of independent, objective advice on science ...

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Science2 May 2024

Oil palm plantations are driving massive downstream impact to watershed

AMHERST, Mass. – The global demand for palm oil—the most widely consumed vegetable oil on the planet, in everything from instant noodles to lipstick—is driving worldwide tropical deforestation. While many studies have shown the loss of biodiversity when rainforests are converted to oil palm plantations, researchers at the University of Massachusetts of Amherst are the first to show far-reaching and wide-ranging disturbances to the watersheds in which such plantations occur. Because many Indigenous peoples rely on water downstream from the plantations for their daily needs, the marked decrease in water quality has ...

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