The rigorous study using longitudinal data from Florida counties for 2001-2014 finds strong evidence that targeted pregnancy-related public health programs are effective at reducing maternal mortality rates, specifically among black mothers.
About 29 million Americans use over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat pain. Every year in the U.S., NSAID use is attributed to approximately 100,000 hospitalizations and 17,000 deaths. All of these drugs have benefits and risks, but deciding which one to use is complicated for health care providers and their patients. To assist in clinical decision-making, researchers address cardiovascular risks and beyond, which include gastrointestinal and kidney side effects of pain relievers.
Body armor for U.S. soldiers are heavy, cumbersome, and way above the desired aerial density, which limits their mobility and physical performance. FAU scientists expect to improve performance of military helmets and body armor using hybridized nanocomposite fibers. Like something out of the movie “Iron Man,” this new fiber will to lead to fast dissipation, greater energy absorption and ballistic performance. Bullet-proof armor performance is heavily dependent on the base material properties, which have changed little in recent years.
Florida Atlantic University is one of the 119 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification for 2020, an elective designation that indicates institutional commitment to community engagement.
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) is currently used to treat neutropenia due to chemotherapy and has been successfully used for patients who require bone marrow transplants. The study is the first to report on the neuroprotective effect of GCSF in vivo and showed that it improved neurological deficits that occur in the first few days following cerebral ischemia. GCSF improved long-term behavioral outcomes while also stimulating a neural progenitor recovery response in a mouse model.
Researchers examined racial and ethnic differences in genetic testing frequency and results among diverse breast cancer patients diagnosed at age 50 or younger from January 2007 to December 2017. They found that among 1,503 diverse young breast cancer patients, less than half (46.2 percent) completed hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genetic testing. However, the percentage of women who completed genetic testing increased over time from 15.3 percent in 2007 to a peak of 72.8 percent in 2015.
Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is the most significant infectious disease affecting sea turtle populations worldwide. FB leads to tumors on the turtles’ eyes, flippers and internal organs and is widespread in warmer climates like Florida. A large-scale study evaluated tumor score, removal and regrowth in rehabilitating green sea turtles with FP in the southeastern U.S. from 2009 to 2017, and found that 75 percent did not survive following admission into a rehabilitation facility, irrespective of whether or not tumor regrowth occurred after surgery.
Researchers identify the top states as having the largest victim monetary losses and number of victims, and their report shows online crime trends in the last four years before 2019 (2015 to 2018) for the six top states with the highest internet crime activity.
A newly developed method can detect even low-dose human exposure to microcystins and nodularin in human urine. During harmful algal blooms (HABs), species of cyanobacteria release toxic peptides, including microcystins and nodularin into waterways, impacting wildlife and humans living in these marine environments. These findings are the first to report microcystin concentrations directly from exposed residents impacted by cyanobacteria in Florida, and is a critical step in developing and interpreting clinical diagnostic tests for HABs exposure worldwide.
Telling youth not to “sext” doesn’t seem to be reducing the prevalence of them sharing nude photos or videos. A national sample of about 5,000 youth ages 12 to 17 showed 14 percent had sent and 23 percent had received sexually explicit images. Researchers say it’s time to teach teens ‘safe’ sexting and provide important tips to avoid significant and long-term consequences, such as humiliation, extortion, victimization, school sanction, reputational damage, and even criminal charges.
FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing’s online master’s degree soared to No. 7 from the No. 23 spot in 2019, and is the top-ranked program for private and public institutions in Florida. FAU’s College of Business, College of Education and overall online bachelor’s programs also made the list this year.
To better understand how motivational control processes help maximize performance when faced with task challenges, researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and provide fascinating insights into the role of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) as a component network of brain regions that support motivated behavior. They have unified conflicting findings by discovering that the single mechanism of surprise best accounts for activity in dACC during a task requiring motivated control.
The issue of trust is a primary challenge for industry professionals trying to popularize the use of fully autonomous systems. FAU researchers have developed a unique immersive simulator that provides a convincingly lifelike virtual reality simulation to test trust between humans and self-driving cars.
Transportation costs and limited transit accessibility restrict students’ capabilities to access college campuses, which can hinder their progress and the likelihood of successfully graduating. Florida Atlantic University is leading a first-time transportation collaboration to improve southeast Florida’s transit ecosystem for college students and ultimately student success and retention.
A study of pregnant women in coastal Florida found that hair mercury concentration was associated with consumption of locally caught seafood and all seafood, a higher level of education, and first pregnancy. The highest concentrations were in women over 33 with the highest levels in Asian women. Pregnant women who ate seafood three times a week had the highest concentration – almost four times as high as those who did not consume any seafood.
For more than 14 years, Bea Weiser, 98, has volunteered at the front desk of FAU’s Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center to help attendees who are struggling with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias. Nothing slows down this vibrant and energetic senior who continues to maintain her independence (she still drives) and who has worked since she was 14 years old. Even a recent setback with a broken shoulder and a cancer diagnosis has not deterred her from returning to the center three afternoons a week to continue her passion to help others.
FAU and GSU have partnered on a program to assist children and families affected by addiction. They have received a $2.64 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a program aimed at improving outcomes of Georgia’s children and families and strengthening the partnership between the Division of Family and Children Services and family treatment courts.
Evidence from 13 randomized trials of the treatment of migraine in 4,222 patients and tens of thousands of patients in prevention of recurrent attacks supports the use of high dose aspirin from 900 to 1,300 milligrams to treat acute migraine as well as low dose daily aspirin from 81 to 325 milligrams to prevent recurrent attacks. Aspirin is available without a prescription, is inexpensive, and has a relatively favorable side effect profile compared to alternative more expensive medications.
Borivoje “Borko” Furht, Ph.D., a professor in FAU's Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and director of the National Science Foundation Research Center (CAKE) in FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, was recently appointed as a member of the prestigious Academia Europaea.
The goals of this project are to help communities guide future mitigation projects as well as to assist local communities in moving up in the Community Rating System (CRS) of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Florida Atlantic University faculty, staff and students came together with local officials and community partners today to celebrate the 20th anniversary of FAU’s John D. MacArthur Campus at Jupiter with a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new FAU Neuroscience Building and a new residence hall.
The lack of understanding of health providers and patients is a major barrier to the integration of genomics into personalized medicine. This innovative certificate program will provide health professionals and scientists with the requisite skills they need to interpret and incorporate this new knowledge into a patient care model that emphasizes individually tailored prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Despite efforts over multiple decades, there are still no cell lines for marine invertebrates. For the first time, scientists have developed a breakthrough in marine invertebrate (sponge) cell culture, demonstrating exceptionally fast cell division and the ability to subculture the cells. This groundbreaking discovery forms the basis for developing marine invertebrate cell models to better understand early animal evolution, determine the role of secondary metabolites, predict the impact of climate change to coral reef community ecology and develop novel medicines.
Most faith-based and private schools and associated afterschool programs operate independently without dietary requirements. A pilot study is the first to examine foods served within faith community settings related to child health. Results showed that pizza and pasta made up 71 percent of the main dishes; cheese was the main source of dairy products; high fat desserts were served at 75 percent of the events; and sugar-sweetened beverages were served at 71 percent of the events.
The world’s only weekly television series on naked eye astronomy since 1976, will launch a new season on public television with a new host and university science partner beginning December 1, 2019.
Over eight years of follow-up, those who self-reported regular use of prescription drugs for pain and sleep had a 95 percent increased risk of frailty compared to those who did not report regular use of these drugs. For regular prescription drug use for pain only or for sleep only, the increased risks were 58 percent and 35 percent, respectively.
The advisory council is made up of federal and non-federal members who serve overlapping four-year terms. As a new member, Ordóñez brings the perspectives of Hispanic and Latino Americans and providers of long-term services and support.
A new study helps to solve the mystery of missing plastic fragments at sea. Scientists selected microplastics prevalently found on the ocean surface and irradiated them with a solar simulator system. They found that simulated sunlight increased the amount of dissolved carbon in the water, making those tiny plastic particles tinier. Direct, experimental proof of the photochemical degradation of marine plastics remains rare. This work provides novel insight into the removal mechanisms and potential lifetimes of a select few microplastics.
In one of the most diverse studies of the non-random medicinal plants selection by gender, age and exposure to outside influences from working with ecotourism projects, researchers worked with the Kichwa communities of Chichico Rumi and Kamak Maki in the Ecuadorian Amazon. They discovered a novel method to uncover the intracultural heterogeneity of traditional knowledge while testing the non-random selection of medicinal plants and exploring overuse and underuse of medicinal plant families in these communities.
Researchers found that workers with flexible work time enjoyed a 24.8 percent increase in retirement savings compared to those without the benefit; workers with paid sick leave had retirement savings 29.6 percent higher than those workers who lacked paid sick leave benefits; and workers with six to 10 paid sick leave days and workers with more than 10 paid sick leave days annually had a statistically and significantly higher amount in their retirement savings (30.1 percent and 40.7 percent, respectively).
Physical exams only provide a snapshot of a Parkinson’s patient’s daily tremor experience. Scientists have developed algorithms that, combined with wearable sensors, can continuously monitor patients and estimate total Parkinsonian tremor as they perform a variety of free body movements in their natural settings. This new method holds great potential for providing a full spectrum of patients’ tremors and medication response, providing clinicians with key information to effectively manage and treat their patients with this disorder.
Daily tasks can be difficult for some people with autism because they often involve sequential steps. Since people with autism are strong visual learners, a study examined if parents could help their teens learn using portable, mainstream devices like an iPad. Similar studies have primarily targeted parents of young children with autism. Results show that video prompting interventions produced both immediate and lasting effects for teens with autism and that parents can be powerful delivery agents to increase independence in their children.
Anecdotes, fake news and social media have created a skeptical and misinformed public who is rejecting the facts. A commentary says that medical researchers must help the public understand the rigorous process of science and help them to discern an anecdote from peer-reviewed scientific results. The best way to do this? By continuing to ensure integrity, rigor, reproducibility and replication of their science and to earn the public’s trust by being morally responsible and completely free of any influences.
How risky is travel in the U.S.? It gets tricky. Despite a lot of research on the dangers of traffic injury and death, there’s a lack of clarity on the role of the built environment (roadway designs and adjoining development) and its risk effects. Before we can know how risky a given built environment is, we have to know how many people are traveling there, and in many cases, for pedestrians and cyclists, this data is not available.
A study examining parents’ vocabulary and grammar as an influence on children’s acquisition of English, shows that the quality of child-directed speech depends on the speaker’s language proficiency. Children who hear a rich vocabulary acquire a rich vocabulary and children who hear a rich vocabulary in full sentences acquire the ability to put their words together in full sentences. Findings have broad implications for immigrant parents’ language choices at home and for staffing practices in early care and education centers.
Researchers assessed the ability of older adults with advanced dementia to participate in non-pharmacological interventions and compared chair yoga with chair-based exercise and music therapy. Results showed that participants with moderate-to-severe dementia could safely adhere to non-pharmacological interventions; more than 97 percent fully engaged in each session. The chair yoga group reported a higher quality of life score, including physical condition, mood, functional abilities, interpersonal relationships, and ability to participate in meaningful activities.
A cross-sectional study examined differences in protein intake, nutritional status, and physical health (muscle strength and function) among older African Americans, European Americans and Hispanic Americans. The study is the first to evaluate these physical health indicators in association with protein intake among different racial/ethnic groups. A contributing factor to the age-related changes in muscle is insufficient protein intake by older adults. Findings highlight the need for further education and evidence-based interventions to support this vulnerable population.
FAU's Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence is an innovative degree program and training curriculum that will educate students and train professionals to develop new skills for jobs that are not yet defined and be part of the first generation of an AI-and-autonomy workforce.
In novel longitudinal study, researchers identified three distinct types of teen popularity: prosocial popular; aggressive popular; and bistrategic popular or Machiavellian. These naughty and nice Machiavellian-like teens were the most popular and were above average on physical and relational aggression as well as prosocial behavior. Just like the “Mean Girls” in the iconic American teen comedy, they are aggressive when needed and then quickly “make nice” to smooth out any ruffled feathers.
Researchers have developed a novel way to measure how mechanical fatigue affects biological cells. They also have established the important role of this effect in influencing physical properties of biological cells such as red blood cells (RBCs). This new technique assesses the mechanical integrity and fatigue behavior of RBCs using a general microfluidics method that incorporates amplitude-modulated electro-deformation. This method has important applications for mechanical fatigue studies in conjunction with other microenvironments related to health and materials engineering.
Scientists obtained a total of 733 pathogen isolates from 171 individual wild Bottlenose dolphins in Florida and found that the overall prevalence of resistance to at least one antibiotic for the 733 isolates was 88.2 percent. Resistance was highest to erythromycin, followed by ampicillin. It is likely that these isolates from dolphins originated from a source where antibiotics are regularly used, potentially entering the marine environment through human activities or discharges from terrestrial sources.
It now appears that pooled-ride services like car-pooling, public transit, and ride-splitting are much more important than self-driving cars and automation for sustainability and reducing traffic congestion. The idea is simple: put more people in fewer vehicles. Even modest levels of ride-pooling can result in significant energy savings. Increasing vehicle occupancy, especially during peak times, also can significantly reduce traffic congestion. These systems don’t require self-driving vehicles but simply centralized fleet coordination, which is achievable with today’s technologies.
The blind Mexican cavefish is becoming a leading model to study diabetes, insomnia, and obesity. They barely sleep, are obese and diabetic, yet they appear to be completely healthy. Researchers have received a $1.1 million NSF grant to develop genetic tools to use in this fish model that may help them understand why some humans are highly susceptible to neurological and metabolic disease, while others are resilient, and also make this fish model more accessible to other scientists.
Legend has it that millennials, specifically the “Net Generation,” masterfully switch from one technology to the next. They claim that it’s easy and that they can do it better than older generations. Research, so far, hasn’t proven this claim.
The project is focused on identifying the role of hypoxia or lack of oxygen to the cells and tissues in the body, and oxygen on the formation of the eye lens.
Animal-assisted therapy has many benefits in health care settings. Yet, its biological and psychosocial effects in the military are limited, especially for injured, airlifted patients. Researchers teamed up with a not-for-profit animal organization that trains therapy dogs to see if an animal-assisted intervention is feasible and effective at reducing stress in this setting. Results showed that levels of the stress biomarkers cortisol, alpha-amylase, and immunoglobulin A, significantly decreased following a 20-minute intervention with these dogs, regardless of post-traumatic stress symptom severity.
What would you get if you combined Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa with Boston Dynamic’s quadraped robots? You’d get “Astro,” the four-legged seeing and hearing intelligent robodog. Using deep learning and artificial intelligence (AI), scientists are bringing to life one of about a handful of these quadraped robots in the world. Astro is unique because he is the only one of these robots with a head, 3D printed to resemble a Doberman pinscher, that contains a (computerized) brain.
The U.S. is the largest importer of seafood products in the world – importing 5.9 billion pounds of seafood in 2017 alone, resulting in about $14 billion of the U.S. trade deficit. More than 50 percent of seafood consumed comes from aquaculture. Yet, less than 1 percent is produced in the U.S. This year, FAU’s Harbor Branch has received $2.4 million from the USDA to help initiate a project that will boost the nation’s aquaculture industry.
One of the largest longitudinal studies to date examined evening consumption of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine among an African-American cohort and objectively measured sleep outcomes in their natural environments instead of laboratory or observatory settings. The study involved 785 participants and totaled 5,164 days of concurrent actigraphy and daily sleep diaries that recorded how much alcohol, caffeine or nicotine they consumed within four hours of bedtime. Results may be good news for coffee lovers, bad news for smokers.
A study is the first to examine the relationship between parental mental illness like anxiety and depression in childhood and the risk of suicide and self-harm in adults who suffer from tinnitus, noise or ringing in the ears, and hyperacusis, extreme sensitivity to noise. Results show that among patients seeking help for these debilitating hearing disorders, poor mental health in their parents was associated with suicide and self-harm risk across the life span in addition to their own current depression level.
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