A new computer program called POMPOUS has been developed to predict genetic markers with high accuracy, accelerating the discovery of gene function and reducing costs. The program has identified over 13,000 markers on the human genome, enabling researchers to analyze and identify genes more efficiently.
A Cornell University study reveals that 6.4 million homes have modifications to accommodate elderly residents' physical limitations. The most common types of modifications include bathroom grab bars and wheelchair ramps, with 60% of homes with someone over 90 modified for mobility.
A study found that modafinil significantly improved the quality of life for patients with narcolepsy, reducing daytime sleepiness and increasing productivity. The medication provided sustained benefits over an extended period without debilitating side effects.
At the Institute of Food Technologists' annual meeting, Cornell's 'Wrapidos' took top honors for its leak-proof and moisture barrier design. The snack, consisting of shaped pita pockets wrapped around three sides with an open side for stuffing, was inspired by a mother-daughter duo's request for a mess-free snacking solution.
The largest generation of adolescents is at risk of premarital pregnancy, STDs, and adverse health effects. Key findings include increased time between first intercourse and marriage, low contraceptive use among teens, and the influence of peers and partners on adolescent sexuality.
Researchers warn that antidepressants can lead to dental cavities and oral infections by reducing saliva production. Saliva is essential for cleaning teeth and remineralizing them. Dentists should be informed about the risks of antidepressant use to prevent these issues.
The 216th national meeting of the American Chemical Society will feature over 6,000 technical presentations on various topics including analysis of endocrine disrupters, environmental issues and polymers from renewable resources. Approximately 10,000 registrants are expected to gather for about 609 technical sessions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that brain antibodies may trigger Tourette's syndrome in part by attacking brain nerve cells after a bacterial infection. The study found higher levels of antibodies against proteins in the putamen area of the brain, suggesting a link between infections and Tourette's symptoms.
The report highlights the problems caused by nonpoint source pollution, including eutrophication, which can lead to fish kills, coral reef destruction, and shellfish poisoning. The report provides solutions, such as reducing fertilizer applications, improving sewer systems, and restoring wetlands.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that a naturally occurring substance in the cell membrane, GM1 ganglioside, improved symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients and slowed progression. The study showed significant differences in motor abilities between those who received the drug and those who did not.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed microneedle arrays that can deliver small quantities of high-potency medications through the skin without causing pain. The arrays, produced with microelectronics industry techniques, penetrate only the outermost layer of skin with no nerve endings.
Scientists plan to use stereo imaging to analyze the three-dimensional structures of the Sun's corona, which can help predict explosive events like coronal mass ejections and solar flares.
A Cornell University professor has developed mathematical and computer models to explain how different foods are affected by microwave heating. The models take into account food characteristics, placement in the oven, and oven power, providing a quantum leap in understanding of microwaving behavior. This research aims to improve the U....
A study by INFORMS shows that introducing difficult-to-reuse syringes, also known as DTRs, into the current needle population does not reduce HIV rates among addicts. In fact, it increases the risk of exposure to infectious needles due to increased reuse of regular syringes.
New research reveals that women living in low-income areas with single-parent households are more likely to die from heart disease, possibly due to increased social and physical stress. The study also found that African American women face higher mortality rates due to neighborhood environments that exacerbate health disparities.
New research from the Ispra, Italy meeting of the Scientific Group on Methodologies for the Safety Evaluation of Chemicals has made significant progress in developing and validating alternative methods to animal testing. These advances aim to reduce animal pain and distress while improving human health protection and environmental prot...
A new study suggests that people can forget instances of childhood sexual abuse through normal means, rather than relying on repression or 'recovered memories'. Events that are not well understood or frequently thought about are more difficult to retrieve from memory. The researchers found that people's views of themselves can be a pow...
Researchers found that anti-androgen drugs can trigger the protein that makes prostate and cancerous cells grow, leading to a possible explanation for why hormone therapy loses effectiveness after one or two years. The study suggests that more research is needed to confirm the results.
Researchers have developed a new coating technique called Surface Induced Mineralization (SIM) that facilitates bone growth around implants, potentially extending their lifespan. The water-based process incorporates growth factors to promote new bone cells, addressing a common issue with implants becoming loose after 10 years.
Researchers at Eastern Oregon University developed a new method to assess salt content in fish, reducing waste and ensuring food safety. The technique uses near-infrared spectrophotometry to analyze the salt content of live fish, allowing for precise addition of salt to meet safety standards.
Experts at the University of Maryland Medical Center have re-examined historical records and found that symptoms described for Alexander's death, such as chills, sweats, and high fever, are consistent with typhoid fever. The disease can cause abdominal pain, which may have contributed to Alexander's reported agony.
Researchers at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service are working on a new synthetic trap to lure and capture potato beetles. The trap uses an artificial plant odor that mimics the scent released by damaged plants, which attracts the beetles.
Researchers found that patients with high vitamin C levels had improved blood vessel function, reducing the risk of unstable angina pectoris. A 500 milligram daily supplement of vitamin C may also be beneficial in improving blood vessel dilation and reducing heart attack risks.
Scientists found that adult mouse blood stem cells can survive in the early embryo and produce blood cells with embryonic features, highlighting unexpected plasticity in blood cell programming. The study challenges accepted ideas on blood cell development and opens new avenues for understanding hematopoietic cell transplantations.
Researchers are developing smart materials for various applications, including artificial limbs that can pick up objects, gel implants that release drugs as needed, and bridge models that prevent structural damage. These advancements could save lives by preventing accidents and improving safety in infrastructure.
The report highlights the need for clinical microbiologists to integrate new technologies with existing methods to provide high-quality service. It emphasizes the importance of rapid laboratory turnaround times, particularly in outpatient settings, where clinicians require timely results to inform treatment decisions.
The DFG is establishing 14 new collaborative research centres across Germany, focusing on areas like biology/medicine and natural sciences. These initiatives will enable universities to conduct costly long-term research projects with a focus on young scientists' autonomy.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a protein called Replication Protein A (RPA) that plays a crucial role in regulating cell differentiation and proliferation. The study's findings suggest that RPA could be a potential target for therapeutic intervention in cancer treatment, offering new hope for gene therapy.
A study by University of Idaho researchers reveals that trace elements in produce can determine its geographic origin through chemical analysis. The accuracy of this classification has been excellent with a model based on nearly l,000 potatoes, helping to combat mislabeling practices that harm consumers and growers.
A new study by Duke University Medical Center found that a combination of intensive, twice-daily radiation therapy and simultaneous chemotherapy can control cancer more frequently. The treatment resulted in a significant improvement in disease control and patient survival rates.
Researchers found that the brain enhances pain signals through silent synapses, which can lead to persistent pain. Blocking these pathways may lead to better treatments for chronic pain.
Scientists have discovered that the corkscrew-shaped bacterium causing relapsing fever changes its surface proteins when moving from a tick to a mammal or vice versa. This finding could lead to an improved blood test for diagnosing the illness, distinguishing it from Lyme disease in endemic regions.
Case reports reveal four patients died or went into shock after switching from mibefradil to other calcium channel blockers, highlighting the dangerous interaction between the two drugs. The risk is attributed to mibefradil's long half-life and its ability to inhibit liver enzymes that metabolize other medications.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that educational interventions can cut high-risk sexual behaviors in half and more than double the regular use of condoms. The study enrolled 3,706 men and women from public health clinics and showed significant reductions in high-risk behaviors over a one-year period.
The forum emphasized the importance of expanded Medicare coverage for prevention programs and wellness promotion to reduce healthcare costs. Experts called for incentives, such as reduced premiums, for individuals who undertake health lifestyle behaviors.
A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine has found that warfarin, a commonly used blood thinner for older women, does not weaken their bones. The study, which tracked over 6,000 post-menopausal women for two years, found no significant difference in bone thinning or fractures between warfarin users and non-users.
A landmark study found that behavioral interventions can cut high-risk sexual behaviors in half and more than double regular condom use among hardest-to-reach populations. The intervention, which focuses on motivation and skills to reduce high-risk behaviors, was effective in reducing gonorrhea incidence by half among men.
A major HIV prevention trial involving low-income women and men living in urban areas found that behavioral interventions can reduce HIV-related sexual risk. The study, which recruited 3,700 participants, showed significant improvements in condom use and reductions in unprotected sexual acts after a one-year intervention.
A breakthrough in taxol production has been made by Cytoclonal Pharmaceutics Inc. and MSU, moving the technology closer to manufacture and use. The sublicense agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb aims to develop microbial fermentation of taxol, a renewable source for the potent drug.
A team of scientists has made a breakthrough discovery in understanding how the HIV virus attaches to immune system cells, revealing new targets for anti-HIV vaccines and drugs. The study found that the virus uses multiple defenses to evade attack, including shape-shifting projections and carbohydrate molecules.
A protein called osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) may speed the recovery of stroke patients by rewiring damaged brain cells. The experiment used rats and showed that OP-1 helped them recover lost movement in their limbs quickly, outperforming those in a control group.
A new study found that daily pain among elderly nursing home residents with cancer is widespread and often untreated, especially among older and minority patients. The study highlights inadequate medical treatment and a need for improving pain management in these individuals.
A new study reveals a link between excess thiamine and tumor-cell growth, suggesting that too much of the vitamin can actually help tumors grow. The researchers propose rational use of dietary thiamine may slow tumor growth.
Researchers have discovered a possible atomic process behind sonoluminescence, which could aid in the emerging field of sonochemistry. The study proposes that stimulated atoms decaying in unison emit light, explaining the short pulses observed in sonoluminescence.
Researchers are exploring ways to control the rush of nitrogen and other chemicals into the Mississippi River watershed. Ecotechnology may hold the answer by restoring or building wetlands and riparian buffer zones along waterways.
The new guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat overweight and obesity in adults. Key findings include the importance of assessing body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and risk factors for diseases associated with obesity, as well as recommending calorie reduction, increase...
The crystal structure of gp120 in action provides valuable clues for vaccine design, revealing how the virus binds to T cells while maintaining changeability. Researchers can now use this information to create targeted compounds that interfere with the interaction between gp120 and CD4 receptors.
A new study found that stress can lengthen the time dental wounds take to heal by 40% and reduce interleukin-1 production, a crucial cytokine for wound healing. Researchers believe that early supportive therapies may counteract this slowing effect, which occurs in the first few days after injury.
Scientists have found that parts of the protein shell of the common cold virus flap open in a motion called "breathing", which can be stifled by compounds that stop viruses from infecting cells. This discovery could lead to rapid screening methods for antiviral drugs.
Researchers at Ohio State University warn golfers with knee injuries that playing too soon can cause further damage to an injured knee. The study found that a full golf swing places significant stress on knee joints, regardless of shoe type or skill level.
Researchers discovered a new molecular marker, p27(Kip1), that can predict prostate cancer tumor progression and guide treatment decisions. Low levels of the protein are associated with increased disease recurrence and mortality.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center have developed a novel mass spectrometry technique, Micropore Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry (MMIMS), to quickly and accurately assess lung function. This device can directly measure trace gas tensions in small blood and breath samples.
Researchers at Ohio State University identified 15 fundamental desires and values that guide human behavior, including basic needs and social desires. The study found that at least 12 of the desires have a genetic basis, and a new test can measure individual differences in these desires.
Researchers at Harbor Branch are investigating the feasibility of controlling the reproduction of southern flounder in captivity. They have successfully induced broodstock spawning and achieved high larval survival rates, paving the way for future grow-out trials.
Researchers found that female drivers are involved in slightly more crashes than male drivers, with males being three times more likely to be killed in car crashes. However, the study also revealed that after age 35, female drivers were at a greater risk of a crash than their male counterparts.
Scientists have developed a stripped-down gene therapy approach using naked DNA to treat rheumatoid arthritis in rats. The treatment, which injected TGF-ß plasmids into muscle tissue, significantly reduced chronic arthritis symptoms and joint inflammation.
A study found that 16% of students with ADHD reported being asked to sell, give, or trade their medication. Researchers recommend stronger policies on medication use and dispensing to prevent potential abuse. Findings highlight the need for education and monitoring among parents, teachers, and healthcare providers.
Researchers found that Hispanic and African-American seventh-graders in public housing were more likely to try alcohol than their white suburban counterparts. The study suggests that targeted prevention programs can address the unique challenges faced by minority youth in public housing.
Researchers discovered a gene linked to hydrocephalus and glaucoma in mice, which is also associated with other birth defects. The gene, called mouse forkhead 1 (mf1), produces an incomplete protein that can cause abnormalities in the brain, eyes, and kidneys.
Researchers develop new catalyst that significantly enhances methanol-air fuel cells' efficiency, enabling a more practical and sustainable power source. The breakthrough catalyst, composed of platinum, ruthenium, osmium, and iridium, presents a major improvement over existing platinum-ruthenium alloys.