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A Healthy Social Life Can Save Grandma’s Memory
Having strong social ties can cause memory improvement in old age, according to a new study by The Ohio State University researchers. They determined that mice living in groups developed better memories and had healthier brains than mice living in pairs of two. “Having lots of friends probably boosts your memory while having fewer makes… Read More
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Facebook Helps Young Adults Quit Smoking
Social media may be the most effective smoking quitline for young adults, a new study suggests. Led by Danielle Ramo, an associate professor of psychiatry at UC San Francisco and member of its Weill Institute for Neurosciences, the researchers found that young adult smokers are 2.5 times more likely to quit smoking with programs conducted… Read More
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Dining Out? Pay Attention to the Music Before You Order
Would you still be in the mood for a cheeseburger and fries if soft, calming music is being played at a restaurant? According to a new study by the University of South Florida, the answer is probably not. The USF researchers found that background music in a restaurant has an impact on diners’ food… Read More
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Leg Exercise Deemed Pivotal for Brain Health
It’s common knowledge that a healthy body is reliant on a healthy brain, but a new study shows that the ability to walk, run, crouch and use leg muscles to lift things also benefits the brain and nervous system. Researchers from two universities in Italy — the University of Milan and the University of Pavia… Read More
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Are We Using Our Smartphones More Than We Think?
When was the last time you looked at your smartphone? For most people, checking for a text, email or update has become second nature, and now research proves that we look at our smartphone more often than we are even aware of. A team from two universities in the UK — Lancaster University and the… Read More
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What Vitamin B12-Infused Plants Would Mean to the World
Vegans, vegetarians and those who can’t afford meat may no longer be faced with vitamin B12 deficiency, an issue that has long affected plant-based eaters, thanks to new research from the University of Kent, UK. Vitamin B12 (or cobalamin) is an essential dietary component that is neither made nor required by plants, leaving a large… Read More
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Is It Just a Fling, or Are You in It for the Long Haul? Here’s How You Can Tell
How can you tell if someone you just started dating will be your future spouse, or is just a few-month fling? Conventional wisdom and corny love stories tell us that the difference between “the one” and a short-term relationship is obvious. But, according to a new study, it’s not so clear at first. Research from… Read More
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3D Printing Bionic Limbs Allows Kids to Be Kids Again
Every year, thousands of children in the U.S. are born without arms, limiting their development and affecting their quality of life. But now, there is hope that they can receive affordable and customizable prosthetics, capable of boosting their growth and potential. Their savior is a team of researchers from Limbitless Solutions, a non-profit group at… Read More
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The Significance of New Sustainable Method of Ammonia Production
Researchers from the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Virginia Tech have developed a sustainable method of producing ammonia, a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, which is vital for life on earth, including the production of food to feed the increasing world population. The advancement is an important step toward sustainability for an industry long… Read More
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Treating Diseases by Using Light to Switch Calcium Influx On or Off
Optogenetics, a biological technique that uses light to control and manipulate cell behavior, has steadily grown into one of the most promising methods over the past decade. The technique uses light to turn particular genes on or off, triggering certain biological functions. Researchers at Texas A&M University are exploring ways to use optogenetics to control… Read More
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Robots: Counselors That Truly Listen
Researchers at the University of Plymouth have proven, for the first time, that robots can conduct a helpful, enjoyable motivational interview (MI). MI is a technique used in psychiatry that involves a counselor asking questions and encouraging someone to explain their need and reasons for wanting change in their lives. The use of robots allows… Read More
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Why Do Most Women Prefer More Masculine Faces?
Why do the majority of women prefer more masculine faces in men? Previous research has suggested this is due to changes in women’s fertility hormones and the idea that masculine men appear to have a greater genetic “fitness” for reproduction. A team of researchers from the University of Glasgow, however, has recently found that women’s… Read More
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How Parents Shape Young Adults’ Romantic Relationships
Effective parenting and a positive family climate during early adolescence may lead children to have healthier, less violent romantic relationships later in life, according to a recent study by researchers from The Pennsylvania State University. The researchers found that adolescents who reported a less conflictual family climate and parents who used effective parenting strategies, such… Read More
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Smartphone Reader Takes Guessing Out of Infection Diagnosis
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a low-cost, pocket-sized laboratory that works nearly as well as clinical laboratories to detect common viral and bacterial infections. “This smartphone reader has the potential to improve access and speed up healthcare delivery,” Lei Li, assistant professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at WSU and… Read More
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Better Education Leads to Longer Lifespan
A new study by researchers from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and the Vienna University of Economics and Business has found that life expectancy is best predicted by a person’s level of education. The new research challenges the conventional knowledge that connects income level to lifespan. Samuel Preston first demonstrated this connection in… Read More
