Research

Why present-day advanced robots get stuck in the sand

Washington, February 10: The Burroughs Wellcome Fund and the U. S. Army Research Laboratory are funding a research into why present-day advanced mobile robots have difficulty traversing granular surfaces-like sand, dirt, rubble or slippery piles of leaves-despite being able to explore complex terrains across the globe, and even on Mars.

The researchers attached with the study have thus far suggested that robots attempting to move across sandy terrain should move their legs more slowly, especially if the sand is loosely packed.

Teens actually think less about future than adults

Teens actually think less about future than adultsWashington, February 7: A new study has confirmed the popular stereotype that teenagers are short-sighted, and, consequently, prone to poor judgement and risky decision-making when it comes to issues like taking drugs and having sex.

Published in the journal Child Development, the study shows that children aged 16 and younger actually think less about the future than adults.

However, the study also suggests that the reasons may have less to do with impulsivity, and more to do with a desire to do something exciting.

Fast food can give your child asthma despite breastfeeding

child asthmaRecent research has shown that junk food increases the risk of asthma in children who tend to have lower risk of asthma due to breastfeeding. Earlier researches have shown that breastfeeding for more than three months lowers the risk of asthma.

Research team led by Anita Kozyrskyj, research chair in the department of pediatrics at the University of Alberta's faculty of medicine and dentistry analyzed data collected from 246 children, aged eight to 10, diagnosed with asthma, and 477 children without asthma.

Take more potassium to reduce blood pressure and risk of heart disease

blood pressureRecent research revealed the importance of potassium intake in reducing blood pressure and risk of heart disease. Study also revealed that sodium-to-potassium in subjects' urine is a better indictor of cardiovascular disease than sodium or potassium alone.

Lead researcher, Dr. Paul Whelton, president and CEO of Loyola University Health System, said: "There isn't as much focus on potassium, but potassium seems to be effective in lowering blood pressure and the combination of a higher intake of potassium and lower consumption of sodium seems to be more effective than either on its own in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease."

Tanning jab can give you skin moles

Tanning jab can give you skin moles Recent reports revealed that more and more women are taking help of tan jabs to get tanned looks. Melanotan I and Melanotan II are two types of tan jabs that increase the levels of melanin in our body, resulting in tan.

Doctors said that these injected jabs that produce a tan may be responsible for worrying changes in skin moles.

Two recent cases of women who had injected "Melanotan" shortly before noticing the problem of skin moles highlighted the risk from these tanning jabs.

Face mask can save you from common cold

Face mask can save you from common cold Recent research revealed that wearing a face mask can offer protection against respiratory infections like influenza and the common cold. Research team led by Raina MacIntyre, professor and head of UNSW School of Public Health and Community Medicine studied data collected from more than 280 adults in 143 families in Sydney during the winter seasons of 2006 and 2007. The study subjects were randomly asked to wear mask during exposure to a sick child in family.

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