Iranian researchers studied the effect of natural fibers and carbon nanotubes on increasing the strength of cement composites. The researchers believe that bagasse fibers can be a good replacement for fiberglass. Results of the research reduce the production cost but increase the effective life of devices and structures in addition to improving the physical and chemical properties of cement. CementRead more

Findings published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society raise concerns about the safety of chronic diet soda consumption, which may increase belly fat and contribute to greater risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Metabolic syndrome--a combination of risk factors that may lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke--is one of the results of theRead more

What if there were a pill that made you more compassionate? A new study finds that giving a drug that changes the neurochemical balance in the brain causes a greater willingness to engage in prosocial behaviors, such as ensuring that resources are divided more equally. What if there were a pill that made you more compassionate and more likely toRead more

Scientists successfully tested a potent synthetic compound that prevents type 1 diabetes in animal models of the disease. In a new study, researchers tested an experimental compound known as SR1001 in non-obese diabetic animal models. The compound targets a pair of nuclear receptors that play critical roles in the development of a specific population (Th17) of immune cells associated withRead more

High dose zinc acetate lozenges shortened the duration of common-cold associated nasal discharge by 34%, nasal congestion by 37%, scratchy throat by 33%, and cough by 46%, according to a meta-analysis. The common cold is an infection caused by over a hundred viruses, and it is a major cause of days off school or work and visits to a doctor.Read more

Acidified Earth's oceans, caused by extreme volcanic activity, triggered the greatest extinction in the planet's history, a study suggested Thursday. The event, which took place 252 million years ago, wiped out more than 90 percent of marine species and more than two-thirds of the animals living on land. It happened when Earth's oceans absorbed huge amounts of carbon dioxide fromRead more

As a young child, I was taught that the path to success looked something like this: Study hard. Go to college. Work even harder. Marry a nice person, have a nice life, work until you can retire, and then enjoy the fruits of your labor. Sounds familiar, right? I bet you've heard this advice your entire life — that ifRead more

A multidisciplinary research team discovered how cells know to rush to a wound and heal it -- opening the door to new treatments for diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The findings shed light on the mechanisms of cell migration, particularly in the wound-healing process. The results represent a major advancement for regenerative medicine, in which biomedical engineers and other researchersRead more

Vigorous exercise could help reduce risk of early death, an Australian study of middle-aged and older adults says. US journal JAMA Internal Medicine published results of the study based on 204,542 people observed for more than six years. During the study period, over 7,400 deaths were registered. Compared with those who did no physical activity, those who did up toRead more

Argentine scientists have discovered the gene mutation that causes autism, the country's Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation announced Monday. According to the ministry's website, a three-member team of researchers "who sequenced and decoded for the first time in the country the complete genome of three patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and epilepsy, discovered the genetic mutation thatRead more