Researchers investigate three possible causes: chemicals from agricultural fields, increased UV radiation due to ozone depletion, and parasitic invasions. Preliminary research suggests water from affected ponds and nearby wells may also cause malformations in embryos of Xenopus laevis frogs.
A study of 4,364 Canadian youngsters found that starting tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drug use at an early age significantly increases the risk of long-term addiction. The research revealed that the major risk period for substance use begins around age 12 and peaks between 15 and 19.
A study led by Johns Hopkins Researchers found that a drug, sodium 4-phenylbutyrate (4PBA), may help cystic fibrosis patients with the deltaF508 mutation by allowing more CFTR proteins to reach cell surfaces. This phenomenon occurs at concentrations normally seen in patients taking the drug for urea cycle disorders.
The GUSTO grid will provide pervasive access to supercomputing capabilities, enabling new problem-solving techniques and distributed supercomputing. Ten groups will use Globus software and resources for various applications, including remote visualization and tele-immersion.
A study projects a four-fold increase in hip fractures among Canadians aged 65 and older by 2041, highlighting the need for intervention to prevent this trend. The analysis attributes the rise to an aging population and emphasizes the importance of measures like exercise, diet, and hormone replacement therapy.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center found that chronic exposure to nicotine stimulates and permanently inactivates two prominent subtypes of acetylcholine receptors, leading to tolerance. Habitual users become dependent on nicotine through neural reward pathways similar to other addictive drugs.
A recent study published in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease found that men are equally affected by body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) as women, with differences mainly in the body part of concern and coping mechanisms.
The AAAS Conference on Anonymous and Pseudonymous Communications on the Internet brought together experts to analyze online and offline anonymity in journalism, whistleblowing, human rights, and more. The participants developed recommendations for guidelines in anonymous communication use.
A 15-year study on 200,000 acres of grassland in eastern Colorado suggests that livestock grazing has a minimal impact on the shortgrass steppe ecosystem. The study reveals that plants have adapted to grazing by developing extensive root systems and short, bushy features above ground.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that intravenous doses of cocaine increase dopamine availability in the human brain, boosting activity two to three times over baseline levels. The discovery may advance efforts to understand and treat addiction by blocking euphoric effects of drugs.
The home features a complex system of sensors and actuators that monitor temperature, light, sound, and motion to anticipate occupants' needs. This AI-powered system adapts to the household's lifestyle, maximizing comfort while minimizing energy waste.
A study found that HIV remains in a dormant state within CD4+ lymphocytes even after treatment with triple-drug cocktail therapy. This persistence suggests individuals must continue multiple-drug therapy to prevent reactivation of the infection.
Researchers at Penn State will investigate individual variation in health among African American twin pairs aged 65, exploring the role of genetics and environment. The five-year study aims to gain insight into aging in this population, which has experienced different environmental influences than other groups.
MSH6 mutations have been found in human families with hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer, confirming the gene's role in cancer predisposition. Knockout mice studies show that MSH6 is crucial for preventing tumor development, highlighting a new path for research in cancer diagnosis and development.
Researchers have found that the Earth's inner core is rotating at a faster rate than its outer layers, with estimates suggesting it rotates four to 12 times slower. The independent rotation is thought to be caused by convection in the molten iron outer core, which produces the Earth's magnetic field.
Researchers discovered a protein, Apaf-3, that signals apoptosis and is essential for life. The study's findings may lead to the development of more effective cancer treatments by activating the cell death pathway.
A new study by the University of Georgia has found a significant increase in disease incidence among Florida's coral reefs, with 211% more coral species affected. The researchers are stymied in understanding the causes of these devastating losses, which threaten the entire reef ecosystem.
Researchers successfully cloned a gene responsible for inherited deafness in a large extended family in Costa Rica, revealing insights into hearing mechanisms. The autosomal dominant gene DFNA1 causes progressive hearing loss between ages 6 and 20, with the mutation tracing back to a common ancestor in 1713.
Harvard Medical School researchers have isolated a gene, Crx, that plays a key role in photoreceptor development. The findings suggest that Crx could help prevent blindness in people with retinal disease by regulating the expression of genes unique to photoreceptors.
A US-funded project at Sandia National Laboratories has successfully diverted Russian nuclear weapons scientists to develop a new artificial foot for amputees. The foot features a rolling ball joint that mimics the natural movement of the human foot, reducing user discomfort and potential.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found a promising new treatment for meningococcemia, a deadly disease that affects children. The study, led by Dr. Brett Giroir, used bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI) to treat severe cases of the disease and showed encouraging results.
The agreement between Virginia Tech and Singapore will focus on building a distributed content-management system for bibliographic, multilingual, full-text, image, and video information. The collaboration aims to provide an environment for more efficient and effective learning, with educators acting as facilitators and oracles.
Researchers propose that reflective carbon dioxide ice clouds on ancient Mars retained thermal radiation near the surface, warming it enough for liquid water to exist. This mechanism provides clues about potential life forms on Mars and extends the habitable zone on extrasolar planets.
Despite prolonged treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy, HIV persists and can replicate in patients with no detectable virus in their blood. Researchers found that resting CD4+ T cells serve as a stable 'reservoir' of virus, allowing it to continue replicating even when undetectable.
A study published in Science has re-examined the priority and plagiarism surrounding Einstein's General Relativity theory. The researchers argue that David Hilbert, not Einstein, was the first to submit the correct field equations of General Relativity, clearing Einstein of any wrongdoing.
Research led by Dr. Graham Emslie found Prozac to be more effective than a placebo in young people aged 7-17, with 56% showing improvement after two months of treatment. The study also showed that 74% of patients completed eight weeks of Prozac improved.
A new study found significant climatic change in the Arctic without human influence, contradicting previous assumptions. The research, led by Dr. Marianne Douglas, analyzed diatom assemblages in lake and pond sediments, revealing warming trends that began in the 1840s and ended the Little Ice Age.
Researchers found evidence of regular climate shifts, including sudden cold snaps and warming periods, in ocean sediment cores from the North Atlantic. The 1,500-year cycle, which occurred every 1,470 years, may be the pacemaker of rapid climate change.
A thin polymer coating on coronary arteries may prevent platelet formation and reduce the risk of acute thrombosis following angioplasty. The study found significant inhibition of platelet deposition for at least one hour, supporting a novel treatment approach.
A new MIT study suggests that a rapid reduction in global ocean circulation 118,000 years ago may have thrown the climate system back into an ice age. The finding has important implications for understanding the potential impact of increased greenhouse forcing on the oceans.
A team of marine scientists has discovered a massive influx of hydroids, tiny predators that eat most daily production of small crustaceans relied on by fish larvae. The hydroids' presence threatens the survival of already vulnerable cod and haddock populations.
A new laser-based procedure called transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) has been shown to improve symptoms of severe chest pain in patients with heart disease. After three months, 86% of TMR patients experienced improvement, while only 12% of those treated with medication alone saw results.
A study by Weizmann researchers suggests that a cell-suicide gene called DAP-kinase can prevent metastasis in cancer. The gene's proper functioning is essential for cells to die during different stages of metastasis, and its loss or malfunction can lead to unwanted cell proliferation and tumor development.
A study of nearly 4,000 heart attack patients under 65 found HMO members were almost twice as likely to die while hospitalized. The increased risk was attributed to less likelihood of receiving cardiac catheterization and PTCA procedures.
A new study found that ACE inhibitors increase patient survival by about 30 percent overall, especially in patients with impaired heart function. The analysis supports the use of ACE inhibitors in almost all patients with impaired heart function when discharged from hospital following a heart attack.
A study found a link between high blood pressure and sexual problems in premenopausal women, with difficulties in achieving orgasm and inadequate vaginal lubrication being associated with the condition. The researchers hope their findings will encourage physicians to ask about sexuality when treating patients.
A large study has found that blunt blows from baseballs, hockey pucks, and other high-velocity objects can disrupt the heart's rhythm, leading to sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes. Most victims had normal hearts and were under 16 years old at the time of their death.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a technology that combines electronics and optics on a single chip, enabling the creation of miniaturized optical devices such as tiny lasers and implantable medical sensors. This breakthrough could simplify fiber optic communications and lead to more efficient and cost-effective systems.
A study by the American Heart Association found that casinos and airplanes are more likely to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) than primary-care physicians' offices. The devices were found on firetrucks, police cars, and in some airlines, but only six out of 51 offices had a defibrillator.
The company has validated the VEGF receptor as a key target in pathological angiogenesis and expects to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for clinical trials in cancer by the end of 1998. RPI.4610 has shown activity in multiple animal models, including inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis.
A study found that moderate alcohol consumption cuts the risk of death from a second heart attack in men who already had one. Men who drank light to moderate amounts reduced their risk by 20-30% compared to non-drinkers. However, heavy drinking poses significant health risks.
A new study by Duke University Medical Center found that heart attack patients who experience a stroke shortly after have significantly higher medical costs, with an average increase of $12,030. The cost disparity is largely due to longer hospital stays and the need for institutional care.
Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil reduced cholesterol accumulation in the liver and arteries, despite increasing LDL cholesterol and decreasing HDL cholesterol. The findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may exert protection from atherosclerosis through alterations in tissue cholesterol metabolism.
Two repair proteins, Fpg and UvrA, have been found to 'block the road' to replication by physically attaching themselves to damaged DNA, preventing mutations. This discovery offers new insights into natural DNA repair mechanisms and potential avenues for cancer prevention.
A study by UPMC found that minimally invasive heart bypass surgery greatly reduces the number of deaths and complications in very high-risk cardiac patients. The procedure resulted in a mean hospital stay of just 3.9 days, with no patient mortality or strokes after five months.
A clinical trial conducted at the University of Washington found that administering amiodarone to cardiac arrest victims improves resuscitation success rates by 26%, with a significant increase in hospital admissions among those not responding to shock treatment. The study suggests amiodarone as a potential game-changer for treating sh...
Researchers are testing a robotic port-access technique to assist in bypass surgery, aiming to reduce scarring and hospital stays. The technique uses miniature instruments inserted through small incisions, allowing for precise movements and real-time monitoring.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that nearly one in four heart attack patients suffer from depression, which makes them less likely to modify their diets and exercise more often. The study also showed that depressed patients had greater difficulty following recommended lifestyle and behavior change recommendations.
A team of chemists has created a completely synthetic vaccine by synthesizing the epitope of Neisseria meningiditis. The new vaccine uses a system that mimics conventional vaccines and may offer fewer side effects. Researchers are optimistic about the potential for this technology to improve vaccine development in the future.
Researchers found high levels of proinflammatory cytokine TNF in individuals with congestive heart failure (CHF), which can damage the heart. Inhibiting TNF through treatment improved patients' signs and symptoms of cardiac failure, including exercise tolerance and heart pumping ability.
A University of Georgia study found that blood vessels from African Americans generate more free radicals than those from Caucasians, which may contribute to the higher incidence of cardiovascular disease in African Americans. The increased free radical production could be linked to reduced vasodilation and increased blood pressure.
Studies of over 25,000 Emory angioplasty and coronary bypass patients reveal significant improvements in patient outcomes, including shorter hospital stays and decreased mortality rates. Hospital costs also decreased by 30% between 1988 and 1996, with a notable reduction in the last two years.
Researchers found that frequent vigorous exercise reduces heart attack risk, with the greatest benefit seen in men who exercised five or more times a week. The study of over 22,000 physicians suggests that shorter exercise periods may also be beneficial for heart health.
The study reveals a family of selenium-based compounds that can lower blood pressure without toxic side effects. These compounds could lead to the development of new therapeutic agents, expanding knowledge on selenium's role in human health.
A study found that women, minorities, elderly, and those with severe heart attacks are less likely to receive clot-busting drugs and other medical procedures. Strong regional variations were also observed in the use of these therapies.
Researchers developed a method to detect early abnormal endothelial cells that lead to atherosclerosis using microbubbles and contrast echocardiography. The technique showed a 40-fold increase in adherence of specific microbubbles to activated endothelial cells, enabling earlier intervention.
Researchers found that men with the highest amounts of iron stored in their bodies had almost three-times the number of heart attacks than men with less iron. The American Heart Association states additional research is needed to prove iron's role in heart disease before screening can be recommended.
A study found that individuals with high cholesterol in middle adulthood continue to have a high risk of heart disease despite declining cholesterol levels over time. Men who experienced the largest decreases in cholesterol still had high initial levels, suggesting that early detection and management are crucial.
Research suggests that a stable fish diet can significantly lower lipoprotein (a) levels, a blood fat linked to increased heart attack risk. The study found a 40% median Lp(a) difference between groups, with fish-eaters having lower levels of the 'bad' cholesterol.
A new study surveyed 26 men and 26 women with congestive heart failure, using standardized measurements to assess their quality of life. Women scored higher than men in physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, mental health scores, depression, and feelings of peacefulness.