Scientists have identified a gene that plays a crucial role in detecting bacterial infections, potentially leading to the prevention of endotoxic shock. The discovery may enable the creation of a test to screen for people with genetic defects and provide a new approach to preventing deadly infections.
A study of over 400 premature and low birth-weight children found that early intensive intervention significantly improved short-term academic achievements. However, by age 9, the benefits of this intervention had faded, leaving further investigation into long-term outcomes needed.
Researchers discovered that green tea's EGCg compound inhibits an enzyme required for cancer cell growth and can kill cultured cancer cells. Drinking more than four cups of green tea a day may provide enough of the active compound to slow and prevent cancer cell growth.
A global plan has been launched to cut childhood asthma deaths by 50% through improved education, increased accessibility of effective anti-asthma therapies, and enhanced research into the disease's causes and treatment. The plan targets significant reductions in mortality, morbidity, and school days lost due to asthma.
Chemists have discovered a key to enhancing hydrodesulfurization, the most widely used process for removing sulfur compounds from crude oil. By observing individual molecules on surfaces, they found that nickel atoms can act as 'sticky ballbearings,' capturing thiophenes and helping them bind at optimal edge sites.
A new study from Northwestern University found that Evista (raloxifene) significantly reduces the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, with a 63% decrease in newly diagnosed cases. The medication has also been shown to lower cholesterol and protect against bone loss and osteoporosis-related fractures.
Researchers at Cornell University found that infants' cycles of motor activity can help them 'visually forage' their environment. The study uses mathematical models to simulate infant behavior, revealing a pattern where motor activity peaks before visual attention disengages.
Researchers at the University of Florida found that women with chronic pain report slightly higher levels of pain than men. This difference may be attributed to how society teaches men to handle discomfort, rather than biology alone. The study's findings have long-term implications for treating male and female patients differently.
Mothers of premature infants tend to overestimate their babies' difficult temperament, leading to increased risk of behavior problems. The study highlights the importance of maternal perception and social support in caring for preterm infants.
A new pulsar has been discovered orbiting a massive star, providing insights into the mysterious behavior of transient objects. The pulsar, named XTE J1946+274 or GRO J1944+26, exhibits complex orbital patterns and intense magnetic fields, challenging our understanding of these enigmatic celestial bodies.
The NHLBI's new web site, Asthma Management Model System (AMMS), provides an interactive platform for clinicians to access the latest research and guidelines on chronic asthma management. The system allows users to formulate research questions, retrieve key databases, and analyze long-term asthma management problems.
A recent study by University of Florida researchers found that less than a week's worth of walking or jogging can help the heart produce enough HSP72 to protect it against damage during a heart attack. Exercise can generate this protective protein, which helps stabilize and refold damaged proteins in the heart.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that adding cherry tissue to ground beef retards spoilage and reduces the formation of suspected cancer-causing compounds like HAAs. The resulting product had fewer HAAs when pan-fried, with an overall reduction of 69-78.5 percent.
Scientists at the University of Georgia have described the shape of two important yeast proteins that facilitate protein transport in eukaryotic cells. The proteins, v-SNARE and t-SNARE, were found to be highly alpha helical, revealing a previously unknown structure that may explain how they work.
A newly discovered glycosphingolipid receptor may help explain susceptibility to urinary tract infections and provide a potential new treatment strategy. The receptor, called sialosyl galactosyl globoside (SGG), is suspected to be on urogenital tract cells in about 30% of all men and women, binding strongly to E. coli bacteria.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny worm with similarities to humans. The completed genome reveals over 19,000 protein-coding genes and sheds light on human biology.
A team of researchers discovered that malfunctions in the Tlr4 gene set the stage for septic shock, an often-fatal consequence of widespread bacterial infection. Identifying individuals susceptible to septic shock could lead to preemptive treatment with antibiotics and development of new drugs.