A new questionnaire effectively screens primary care patients for sleep apnea, identifying nearly half of high-risk patients. A man with severe adult-onset rheumatoid arthritis also experienced remission after a stem-cell transplant from his healthy twin, believed to be the first case of its kind.
A study led by University of Southern California researchers found that tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer increases the risk of endometrial cancer by about 50 percent. The risk is higher in women who have previously used estrogens, are overweight, or have a history of estrogen replacement therapy.
NASA scientists find that jet aircraft add a few tens of parts per trillion of nitrogen oxides to the atmosphere, increasing ozone levels. However, the impact is too small to detect, but as air traffic increases, understanding these effects becomes crucial for global climate research.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered how Mycobacterium tuberculosis outsmarts the immune system to cause disease. The microbe disrupts a protein called STAT1, blocking macrophages' ability to respond to interferon gamma, allowing it to survive and infect other cells.
The Pacific Ovarian Cancer Research Consortium aims to discover genes, develop a cancer vaccine, and improve treatment outcomes for ovarian cancer. The five-year study will involve researchers from several institutions and involve at least 3,500 women in its various studies.
Researchers have uncovered six complete bone flutes at a 9,000-year-old Neolithic site in China, which may be the earliest complete, playable, and tightly-dated musical instruments. The flutes, made from red-crowned crane wing bones, have been analyzed and played, revealing a tone scale similar to the Western eight-note scale.
A new Mayo Clinic study confirms that bed partners experience significant improvements in sleep quality when their husbands are treated for obstructive sleep apnea. The average percentage of time spent sleeping increases from 74% to 87%, adding over an extra hour of sleep per night.
The Western Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society will feature over 300 papers on topics such as environmental science and organic/biochemistry. Dr. Jerome Karle, a Nobel Prize winner, will address the conference.
A University of Iowa research team discovered that DNA methylation can contribute to oral cancer by silencing tumor suppressor genes. The study found that aberrant cytosine methylation patterns were present in oral cancer cells but not in normal human cells, suggesting a potential mechanism for cancer progression.
A new study by University of Washington researchers reveals that dyslexic children use significantly more brain area and energy while performing simple language tasks. The findings provide new evidence that dyslexia is a brain-based disorder and shed light on its developmental mechanisms.
A new device called a magnetorheological damper has been tested on a model building set atop an earthquake-simulating shake table, showing promise in minimizing damage in earthquakes. The device reduces the peak acceleration by 50 percent, and is designed to be inexpensive, straightforward, and powered by a battery.
A University of Chicago study found that neighborhoods with more racially integrated populations have higher rates of bystander CPR during cardiac arrests. In contrast, predominantly white and black neighborhoods had lower CPR rates.
Researchers found that a common mutation in the CYP17 gene is associated with higher testosterone levels and larger, stronger bones in men. The study measured hormone levels, stature, and bone mass in 333 Caucasian men aged 51-84 years.
The Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) is expanding internationally, with UNESCO joining and collaborations with the NSF, DFG, and ISTEC. These partnerships aim to overcome language and policy challenges, enabling easier sharing of electronic theses and dissertations across countries.
Researchers suggest that testosterone plays a key role in redistributing immune cells to the skin during stress, rather than suppressing the immune system. This redistribution hypothesis is supported by studies in rats and mice, which show improved wound healing rates with testosterone treatment.
A large-scale national study will investigate whether weight loss reduces cardiovascular disease and slows atherosclerosis progression in obese people with type 2 diabetes. The 7-year trial, funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders, aims to enroll 6,000 participants.
Researchers found slight memory impairment in children on intensive diabetes therapy, with a three-fold higher rate of severe hypoglycemic incidents compared to conventional therapy. The study suggests potential long-term cognitive consequences related to repeated hypoglycemic episodes.
John Moffat, a University of Toronto professor, proposes that the speed of light was not always constant but rather increased over time. This theory could help explain recent discoveries about the accelerating expansion of the universe and provide an answer to some cosmology problems.
Researchers have identified two genes contributing to asthma development: interleukin IL4 and IL13. Decreasing their activity may help reduce asthma attacks, with potential applications to other complex genetic conditions.
Researchers found that loss of the NEP enzyme fuels inflammation in mice with colitis, leading to increased substance P levels and bowel inflammation. Administering the NEP enzyme or blocking substance P can dramatically reduce inflammation, suggesting potential treatments for humans.
Researchers found that calcium absorption decreased with age, especially after the age of 80, leading to increased risk of osteoporosis in older men. Higher levels of fractional calcium absorption were associated with slower rates of hip bone loss.
Diane Coley McGann, a Santa Ana High School teacher, receives the Western Regional High School Chemistry Teaching Award for her innovative approach to motivating students. She has also created a series of workshops to assist teachers in promoting chemistry education.
According to a study, 22.8% of middle school students in North Carolina have smoked within the past 30 days and 39% purchased their cigarettes from a store. Adolescents who were asked for proof of age and denied purchasing cigarettes smoked fewer cigarettes.
Researchers have developed a new family of chemicals that bind specifically to the gp41 pocket, halting HIV's ability to infect cells. The compounds, created using mirror-image phage display, show promise as potential oral treatments for HIV, with advantages including reduced cell membrane penetration and lower likelihood of resistance.
A $55 million grant from NIDA is supporting the development of new drug addiction treatments through collaboration between researchers and community treatment providers. Over five years, Oregon will receive $11 million to test promising science-based treatments in real-life settings.
A study found that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a crucial role in early liver damage caused by alcohol consumption. The researchers used gene knockout technology to show that TNF-alpha mediates the development of liver injury, leading to potential new drug therapies for conditions affecting millions of Americans.
A Yale study suggests that breast cancer patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are at higher risk of late relapses after treatment. Women with these mutations respond well to initial therapy but may develop second tumors years later.
Researchers identified a class of compounds that prevent HIV from infecting cells by blocking the viral entry into the cell. The discovery holds great promise for identifying a new class of oral drugs for treating HIV infection and AIDS.
The discovery of 78 Neanderthal bones at Moula-Guercy suggests that European Neanderthals practiced cannibalism, systematically defleshing and breaking apart the bones to remove marrow and brains. The abundance of natural resources available at the site makes survival-based cannibalism unlikely.
Elevated cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication that can lead to seizures, liver or kidney failure, and premature delivery. Women with high cholesterol before pregnancy are more likely to develop the condition, which affects thousands of women each year.
The matrilysin enzyme plays a key role in activating defensins to combat bacterial infections in the intestine. The researchers found that matrilysin is essential for regulating antimicrobial activity and protecting the epithelial lining from bacterial invasion.
Scientists have identified TNF-alpha as a major contributor to early liver injury from long-term alcohol consumption, paving the way for new treatments. The study used gene knockout technology and found that mice lacking TNF receptors fared better on measures of liver injury after alcohol exposure.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute uncover the first human disease linked to a defect in the MECP2 gene silencer mechanism. The discovery provides new insights into nervous system development and may lead to new treatments for Rett Syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder causing mental regression in young girls.
Researchers have identified a new molecular marker for Alzheimer's disease, a normal cellular enzyme called casein kinase-1 (CK-1), which accumulates in nerve cells damaged by AD. CK-1 levels were found to be abnormally high in vacuoles within the hippocampus region of AD brains.
Researchers at Jefferson Medical College have uncovered a potential switch that helps control the manufacture of red blood cells and blood-clotting platelets. Activating 'death receptors' on immature red blood cells triggers caspases, which can halt excessive production by blocking cell growth and differentiation.
A study of infants with dense cataracts found that visual stimulation, not brain development, is responsible for the five-fold visual improvement within six months of birth. Babies' vision improved rapidly after cataract removal and contact lens fitting, with some developing 20/20 vision.
A team of researchers has identified a genetic link on mouse Chromosome 19 that controls inherited susceptibility to testicular cancer. The discovery uses a new genetic technique called chromosome substitution, which may lead to improved understanding and treatment options for the disease.
Researchers at USC created a machine system that recognizes spoken words better than humans, with the ability to distinguish words in vast amounts of random noise. The novel neural network architecture mimics the biological system's temporal dimension, allowing it to process information structured in time.
Researchers found that plasma exchange and IVIG relieve neuropsychiatric symptoms in children with tics and obsessive-compulsive disorder, with symptom improvements lasting up to a year. The study suggests these treatments may be effective for a subgroup of children with strep-triggered disorders, but not all cases.
Researchers have discovered that myosin VI moves backwards on actin filaments, toward the minus end, challenging current understanding of protein movement. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of cellular assembly and maintenance, particularly in structures with single-orientation actin filaments.
Researchers identified a new role of fibroblasts in cancer development, showing that epithelial cells engage in a molecular dialogue with surrounding fibroblasts to progress towards cancer. This finding could lead to new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.
Researchers discovered that higher brain centers act as training wheels for the lower brain by providing input to adapt to damaged sensory pathways. This feedback loop enables the lower brain to reorganize and form new neural pathways.
Scientists have identified a biochemical link between ancient bacteria and modern mammalian hemoglobins, revealing that nematode worms use their strong hemoglobin to destroy oxygen. This unique function may also inspire the development of new cancer therapies by starving tumors of oxygen.
Researchers have identified the gene responsible for Rett syndrome, a condition that gradually robs girls of their language, mental functioning, and ability to interact with others. The discovery has immediate implications for diagnosis and treatment.
A clinical trial at UNC is testing the effectiveness of LY353381, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), for treating ovarian and endometrial cancers. The drug has minimal side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
Surgeons have successfully performed two operations using a new LED-based probe to treat brain cancer, with promising results. The treatment, called Photodynamic Therapy, involves activating light-sensitive drugs with long wavelengths of light, destroying tumors while sparing surrounding tissues.
Leaders from around the world will present and debate on various issues including trade reform, intellectual property rights and access to care and health services. The conference aims to explore practical solutions to bridge the gap between those who have access to healthcare and those who do not.
The Oregon Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Neurological Disorders (ORCCAMIND) has been established at OHSU with a $7.8 million NIH grant. Initial research projects focus on herbal medicines, yoga, and other alternative therapies for Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis.
A new study found that nearly a quarter of community health centers rely on foreign-trained physicians, who are often willing to accept lower salaries. If these doctors were no longer available, up to 57% of positions for foreign-trained doctors and almost 16% of all staff positions could go unfilled.
Researchers have identified a region on rat chromosome 4 containing genes strongly affecting emotionality-related behavior, which only affects female rats. This discovery may provide insights into the biological mechanisms underlying emotional disorders in women.
The new guidelines chart the rapid evolution of bypass surgery techniques and provide a framework for physicians to evaluate risks and benefits with their patients. The report categorizes heart patients into groups that predict how well bypass will work for them based on various factors.
The Indiana University Cancer Center has been designated as an NCI-recognized clinical cancer center, bolstering its $33.3 million annual funding for cancer research projects. The grant enhances collaboration between researchers and physicians to target clinical problems and apply findings to new patient treatments.
A University of Toronto study shows that nearly a third of young men in Ontario drink excessively, putting their health at risk. The study found that 30% of men under 45 and 25% overall exceed daily and weekly drinking guidelines.
A new research method reveals that information can be stored on the surface of neurons with very high spatial density, similar to a CD-ROM. The method allows precise control over neurotransmitter release and discovered that modifications are highly restricted, enabling single synapses to store information separately.
A genetically-engineered mouse model helps researchers better understand how folic acid protects against neural tube defects and cleft lip/palate by explaining the transport of folic acid within cells. The study may also shed light on why Hispanic women don't seem to benefit from taking folic acid supplements.
Depression affects not only individuals but also their intimate relationships. This guide provides valuable coping strategies to maintain connections during depression. It answers questions from patients and partners, offering expertise from seven authorities on managing depression-related intimacy problems.
Mete Sozen, a structural engineer from Purdue University, has proposed a simplified alternative engineering method for designing earthquake-resistant buildings in Turkey. The five-page method is simpler than the current 75-page code and could be more easily understood and applied by engineers.
Researchers genetically altered mice adrenoceptor 2C expression to study stress response. The results showed differential behavioral responses in treated vs. untreated mice, as well as changes in plasma corticosterone levels and brain dopamine/serotonin content. This study highlights the importance of single-gene mutations in respondin...
A study by Dr. Elizabeth Goodman found a significant association between socioeconomic status and depressive symptoms, obesity, and poorer ratings of overall health among teenagers. The research examined data from over 15,000 surveys and found that lower socioeconomic status was linked to higher rates of these chronic illnesses.
A recent study found that nearly half of people with type 2 diabetes stop taking their oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs), leading to a higher risk of complications such as blindness, amputation, and cardiovascular problems. The study revealed that individuals who discontinued treatment were almost three times more likely to die than thos...