A national survey found that HMOs cover a range of laser technologies from 25% to 90%, with independent practice associations covering more advanced procedures. The study suggests that cost is becoming a factor in HMO decision-making, potentially limiting access to new medical technologies.
Researchers have identified two interacting genes linked to adult-onset diabetes, which regulate gene expression in the liver, kidney, and intestine. The discovery opens up new avenues for treating this complex disorder.
A Johns Hopkins study found that parathyroid gland surgery is more successful and less expensive at academic medical centers with specialized facilities and experienced surgeons. The results showed a cure rate of 97% at high-volume centers compared to 80% at lower-volume hospitals.
A new index developed by Jamie Coleman and David Styer uses bird counts to evaluate the condition of wetland habitats. The model identifies thriving wetlands with high water-loving bird populations and declining wetlands with fewer birds adapted to drier environments.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a new gene called KiSS-1 that suppresses the metastasis of melanoma in laboratory mice. The gene, located on chromosome 1, reduces the spread of melanoma by at least 50 percent of the time and may be the most potent gene to block or suppress metastasis in human cancer.
A new study has identified a common functional problem in enlarged heart disease that causes sudden death in athletes, regardless of the genetic cause. This finding suggests that a single therapeutic approach may be effective for all victims of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a leading cause of sudden death in young adults.
Researchers analyzed data from 958 individuals and found equal rates of chlamydial infection in men and women. The study suggests that diagnostic tests using PCR or LCR may be effective in controlling the spread of Chlamydia.
A study by Dianne Tice found that procrastination's initial enjoyment can turn into a heavy toll as deadlines loom, causing unforeseen events and increased stress. Procrastinators who fail to complete tasks often experience severe health problems, lower grades, and reduced work quality.
A multidisciplinary team is building an experimental facility to test the effects of combined ozone and carbon dioxide on forest stands. The project aims to understand how trees will respond to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide in conjunction with other pollutants, such as tropospheric ozone.
Researchers at UNC-CH and Penn State University have identified a gene called KiSS-1 that controls the spread of malignant melanoma in laboratory mice. This finding may help doctors distinguish between tumors that will colonize other organs and those that will not.
Research by Cybele Raver found that children whose parents actively directed their visual attention spent more time distracting themselves away from a source of distress. These strategies are indicative of social competence and lead to better relationships with peers.
Researchers at ORNL have developed a technique that combines laser light with pharmaceutical agents to selectively kill breast cancer cells. The laser delivers photons to the target tissue, activating an ingested agent that disables DNA replication and halts tumor growth.
A twin study by Yale University psychologist J. Steven Reznick found that environment plays a greater role in how many words a child understands than genetic factors. The study also showed that language comprehension rather than spoken language at ages 14 and 20 months predicts intelligence test scores at 24 months.
The COMPS project aims to develop a unique networked cluster of largely off-the-shelf equipment, which will be put to work by scientists and then evaluated. The challenge is to overcome communication delays or latency that have been inherent when clusters of computers are linked together via a network.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered a novel group of compounds without nitrogen that recognize the same molecular targets as common drugs, including Prozac and Ritalin. These experimental compounds appear to be as powerful as their traditional counterparts.
Researchers have developed a new imaging technique to visualize brain cells releasing serotonin in humans, potentially resolving the safety debate over two popular diet drugs. The method could provide valuable information on the risks of fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, and its applications extend beyond diet drug studies.