For centuries, both philosophers and scientists have been trying figure out exactly what "consciousness" is, where it comes from, and how it works. While they haven't now answered all those questions, researchers have located the mechanism deep in the human brain that seems to control it -- an on-off switch for consciousness. In a new study -- published this weekRead more

Ground-breaking experiments have been conduced to uncover the links between language and emotions. Researchers were able to demonstrate that the articulation of vowels systematically influences our feelings and vice versa. A team of researchers headed by the Erfurt-based psychologist Prof. Ralf Rummer and the Cologne-based phoneticist Prof. Martine Grice has carried out some ground-breaking experiments to uncover the links betweenRead more

Researchers found strong evidence that attaining a higher level of education and spending more years in school are two factors associated with a greater prevalence and severity of nearsightedness, or myopia. The research is the first population-based study to demonstrate that environmental factors may outweigh genetics in the development of myopia. While common, nearsightedness has become even more prevalent aroundRead more

Iranian researchers from Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in association with their Norwegian colleagues succeeded in the production of a nanopaper with resistive and tensional properties much higher than nanopapers made of tree woods. Natural cellulose nanofibers obtained from bagasse have been used in the production of the nanopaper. Nowadays, reducing the production costs and increasing theRead more

Internet is as effective for treating mild and moderate depression as traditional face-to-face therapy, researchers at the University of Gothenburg said Monday in a statement about their findings from a study on the subject. The study followed two groups of patients. One group was given Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) through internet, with some backup support from psychologists and therapists. PatientsRead more

For every ten fatalities of working-age adults, one is attributable to excessive alcohol consumption. That's the conclusion of a recent study by researchers with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Between 2006 and 2010, the CDC found, some 88,000 deaths could be attributed to excessive drinking. Those 88,000 lost lives were cut short by an average ofRead more

For years, regulators have tried to curb car and truck exhaust to promote healthier lungs and a cleaner environment. But new research suggests vehicle fumes do more than warm the planet and encourage asthma. They also mask the smells of crops and flowers, disorienting pollinators, like moths, in search of food. Moths, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are attracted toRead more

Researchers from Iran University of Science and Technology used nanotechnology and succeeded in the production of a photocatalyst that is able to purify industrial wastewater in the range of visible light. This photocatalyst is more successful in the removal of a special type of cancerous pigment from water than other commercial photocatalysts in the market for the purification of water.Read more

Iranian researchers from Yazd University succeeded in the production of a new nanocomposite that can be used in the synthesis of oxidative catalysts and in biosensors. The biosensors made of this nanocomposite act as electrochemical sensors and are able to detect the amount of drugs. By combining two nanostructures of fullerene and carbon nanotubes in the presence of ionic liquid,Read more

 Iranian researchers from Islamic Azad University used nanotechnology to produce nanohydrogels with applications in various industries, including medicine, pharmaceutics and agriculture. The nanohydrogels have very high adsorption capacity for water and biological and pharmaceutical solutions and enjoy highly good antibacterial properties too. Hydrogels have chain-like structure of polymeric chains and are able to adsorb and hold large quantity of waterRead more