Customer surveys can obscure discrimination

New research uncovers a source of inaccuracy in custom satisfaction surveys. Customer satisfaction surveys blip into our daily lives after dental appointments, haircuts, and calls with IT. For businesses, these short questionnaires are intended to provide feedback and make improvements. But the findings demonstrate that perceptions of customer service...

7m

There are just 7 long COVID symptoms

People experiencing long-lasting effects from COVID-19—known as “long COVID” or post-COVID conditions—are susceptible to developing only seven health symptoms for up to a year following the infection. They are: fast-beating heart, hair loss, fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, joint pain, and obesity. To develop their findings, researchers reviewed...

18h

New approach cuts number of CT scans for kids

A new effort significantly reduces the number of unnecessary CT scans in children, limiting exposure to harmful radiation and reducing health care costs with no negative effect on outcomes. Every time a child gets a computed tomography (CT) scan from a hospital they are exposed to radiation that—according to research—creates a 1-in-1,000 risk of developing...

19h

Men who drink alcohol may lower chance of IVF success

Male alcohol use has a significant negative influence on in vitro fertilization success rates, increasing patient financial burden and emotional stress, new research indicates. The new study in Molecular Human Production is part of a research program focused on understanding how male drinking prior to conception contributes to the development of alcohol-induced...

20h

Neanderthal noses were less attuned to pee and sweat

Neanderthal noses were less sensitive to urine and sweat than ours are, research finds. The noses of hunting-and-gathering Denisovans on the Asian steppes were particularly sensitive to energy-rich honey, according to the findings. Though we can’t really know what these two extinct human species perceived or preferred to eat, the new study reveals...

21h

Drone collects DNA from trees to track biodiversity

Researchers have developed a flying device that can land on tree branches to take samples. This opens up a new dimension for scientists previously reserved for biodiversity researchers. Ecologists are increasingly using traces of genetic material left behind by living organisms in the environment, called environmental DNA (eDNA), to catalogue and...

22h

Eating disorders also affect disadvantaged boys

The usual stereotypes about who experiences eating disorders are false, research shows. The study finds that boys living in disadvantaged circumstances—not just girls from wealthy backgrounds—are at increased risk of disordered eating, particularly if they have underlying genetic risk factors. “This is critical information for health care providers...

22h

How to approach love and loneliness this Valentine’s Day

Here are five questions and expert answers about relationships during the Valentine’s Day season. February 14 can be a pleasant or painful reminder about the relationships in your life. From romantic partnerships to deep friendships, the hyper-focus around how we connect with others is on full display. Tristan Martin is an assistant teaching professor...

23h

How synapse in the innermost ear keeps us steady

Researchers have uncovered how a unique, fast synapse keeps us from falling over. The sensory organs that allow us to walk, dance, and turn our heads without dizziness or loss of balance contain specialized synapses that process signals faster than any other in the human body, they report. In a discovery more than 15 years in the making, the neuroscientists,...

23h

Sleep apnea linked to weak bones and teeth

Obstructive sleep apnea may be linked to low bone mineral density in adults, according to a new study. The findings are crucial for individuals with sleep apnea, as low bone mineral density is an indicator of osteoporosis—a condition in which bones become weak and brittle. In addition to increasing the risk of fractures, low bone mineral density also...

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