Research reveals that women experience greater relief from withdrawal symptoms after smoking compared to men. Smaller and shorter puffs by women may lead to less nicotine intake, making treatment more complex for female smokers.
The nation won't meet its 15% smoking prevalence goal for 2000, with over 25% of US adults currently smoking. Effective strategies like cognitive behavioral therapies have been developed, but more work is needed to reach low-income and minority populations.
A survey of South Carolina high schools found that suspending smokers may increase truancy and poor academic achievement. Tobacco education curricula are rarely employed, with only six percent of principals using cessation programs for students caught smoking.
A 500mg daily vitamin C supplement reduced systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures by approximately 9% in hypertensive patients. Vitamin C's antioxidant properties may help protect nitric oxide levels and maintain healthy blood pressure.
The U.S. is missing effective nationwide programs against HIV/AIDS, with the U.S. lagging behind countries like Switzerland and Thailand in implementing nationwide programs. Experts call for a national system of sexually transmitted disease protection to address this public health threat.
Research finds that drug treatment programs are scarce and getting scarcer, with state-of-the-art programs working best, but access shrinking under managed care. The number of treatment options and opportunities is dwindling, leaving the mentally ill and those abusing multiple substances without new treatment options.
Sixty percent of U.S. adults are thought to be inactive or underactive, increasing their risk for heart disease. Individual and community efforts to encourage physical activity, such as cognitive-behavioral programs and worksite health promotion, are needed to address this issue.
A recent study reveals that alcohol abuse costs society an estimated $250 billion per year in healthcare expenditures. The researchers emphasize the importance of early identification, case management, and organized systems of care to address this public health issue.
Researchers establish direct link between prions causing mad cow disease and new-variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, challenging the species barrier theory. The study used transgenic mice to demonstrate that the strain of prion responsible for mad cow disease also causes new-variant CJD.
Researchers have deciphered part of the cellular events underlying apoptosis, providing insights into cancer pathologies and potential cures. The cooperation between c-Abl and p73 leads to cell death, highlighting their roles in safeguarding the cell against DNA damage.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University successfully used a free-electron laser to remove a sugar-cube-sized amount of tissue from a brain tumor. The operation took place using infrared light tuned precisely at 6.45 microns, which works well due to its absorption by water and protein molecules.
A small study of 20 smokers found no statistically significant differences in heartburn incidences between days of wearing different nicotine patches. The researchers controlled for diet and confirmed cigarette abstention, ruling out the possibility of heartburn caused by smoking withdrawal.
Research finds that mothers' delinquency prior to marriage predicts divorce and accounts for many of the behavior problems found among children after divorce. Younger mothers also tend to have children who exhibit more behavioral difficulties.
A new nicotine vaccine has been developed to prevent and treat tobacco addiction by blocking nicotine from reaching the brain. The vaccine, which uses antibodies to bind to nicotine, has shown promising results in laboratory studies, reducing nicotine levels in the brain by up to 64%.
Scientists made significant progress towards controlling human stem cells, which showed promise for treating a range of diseases. Adult stem cells also demonstrated the ability to shed their old identities and adopt new ones, opening up possibilities for important therapies.
The UCSF Department of Psychiatry is using a $7.9 million grant to study creative ways to treat complex, substance-abusing patients in community settings. The research will focus on four areas, including computer-based interventions for smokers and HIV-positive heroin addicts.
The NIH conference aims to develop a framework for independent research on medical implants retrieved after surgery or at autopsy. It will address patient, healthcare provider, and societal expectations, as well as legal, ethical, and economic barriers to implant retrieval and reporting.
A survey of 2,000 US and UK HR professionals found that organizations have made progress in accommodating employees with disabilities. Training and flexible policies are common, but challenges remain, including negative attitudes and inadequate record-keeping.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center are conducting a clinical trial to investigate the efficacy of fenretinide, a vitamin A-related medicine, in preventing ovarian cancer. Women with high-risk factors for breast and ovarian cancer will take part in this study to examine the molecular effects of fenretinide on ovarian tissue.
Researchers found that patients who undergo aggressive treatment, such as angioplasty or bypass surgery, may have lower long-term medical expenses compared to those who only take medication. After two years, costs for medical strategies increased twice that observed for revascularization.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft has awarded the most highly endowed German promotion prize to 14 scientists and scholars. The prize-winners, chosen from over 100 nominations, will receive funding of up to €3 million to support their research.
The Monitoring the Future study found that overall illicit drug use among American teens remained steady in 1999, with only modest changes in various drug categories. Inhalant use continued its gradual decline, while crack cocaine use decreased significantly among younger teens. Conversely, MDMA use increased among older teens.
Researchers found a consistent pattern of viral evolution in individuals who later progressed to full-blown AIDS, allowing for preclinical stage recognition. This prediction may help target therapies to prevent or slow disease progression.
US teen smoking rates have declined gradually from their peak in the late 1990s, with a notable decrease among college-bound eighth- and 10th-graders. However, non-college bound students have shown little improvement, and social class differences in smoking rates are re-emerging.
A team of scientists from NASA and Max Planck Institute observed the deflection of galactic dust grains by solar radiation, finding that radiation pressure is stronger than solar gravity for certain mass ranges. This phenomenon affects the trajectory of dust particles near the Sun, causing them to move slower and be deflected.
Scientists have detected rotational motion in ion channel gates, which control the flow of sodium and potassium ions. The discovery challenges current models and may aid in developing future treatments for neurological disorders.
The UCSF School of Medicine has received a $3.8 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to support biomedical research and recruit top young scientists. The grant will also fund renovations and equipment for older labs, enabling researchers to set up new facilities.
The discovery reveals how the kinesin motor generates motion along microtubule tracks, with a key role played by the neck linker. This understanding could lead to medical therapies targeting kinesin activity in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have figured out how kinesin motors separate chromosomes, distribute embryonic material, and transport precious cargo in organisms. The discovery reveals a crucial leapfrog motion that allows the motors to move along microtubules, generating force to haul objects up to a thousand times their own size.
Researchers at UNC-CH have successfully repaired a genetic problem causing cystic fibrosis, offering new hope for patients. The technique involves correcting a mutation involving unnecessary information inside a gene, resulting in the production of normal messenger RNA.
The University of Michigan Medical School will receive a four-year, $4 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to support its new bioinformatics program. The program aims to educate tomorrow's scholars in this emerging scientific field and develop next-generation bioinformatics tools.
Microorganisms can survive deep underground due to high temperatures, availability of water and chemical nutrients, porosity of the surrounding rock, and flow of fluids. Subsurface scientists have identified these factors to understand how extremophiles colonize environments and potentially shed light on life on other planets.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that thinking of a favorite sexual fantasy can decrease pain perception. The study suggests that counterbalancing pain with a strong positive emotional response, such as those experienced during sexual fantasies, may be a simple and cost-free way to lessen pain in various situations.
The Arctic Oscillation is linked to warmer winters in Scandinavia and Siberia, stratospheric ozone layer thinning, and altered surface winds. This phenomenon could be part of human-induced climate change, according to researchers.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have discovered that microorganisms can break down urea and promote the formation of calcite, trapping radioactive strontium-90. This process could be used to contain contaminant until it decays away, potentially providing a cheaper and safer alternative to surface extraction.
Researchers at UCSF found that reducing a worm's ability to perceive its environment through smell or taste extends its lifespan by more than a third, from two weeks to three or four weeks. This suggests that chemical signals from the environment, possibly pheromones or food smells, influence aging in C. elegans.
A groundbreaking study published in Nature reveals that many coral reef fish spend their life cycle close to home, rather than drifting in the open ocean. This finding has significant implications for marine conservation and fisheries management, as it challenges the prevailing view of larval dispersal.
A nationwide clinical trial showed that Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) improved the condition of 40% of patients with severe treatment-resistant depression, enabling them to return to work and normal activities. The treatment has been compared to electroconvulsive therapy and may have potential as an alternative for some patients.
A recent search using an Arizona-based telescope failed to detect evidence supporting a 13-year-old theory that small comets composed of snow continually bombard the Earth. The researchers found no conclusive evidence for small comets weighing 20-40 tons each, which were predicted to disintegrate in the atmosphere every minute.
Researchers found a link between reduced TGFb receptor expression and increased breast cancer risk in women with benign breast disease. The study identified 54 women who developed invasive breast cancer after initial hyperplasia diagnosis, highlighting the importance of molecular markers in predicting breast cancer risk.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been selected as one of two Regional Mutant Mouse Resource Centers by the National Institutes of Health. This grant will enable the expansion of Jackson Laboratories' capabilities to characterize, maintain, and distribute mutant mouse models to the research community. The new center w...
A new study led by a University of Pittsburgh researcher found that twice as many patients experienced depression relapse on placebo compared to those treated with mirtazapine. Mirtazapine also relieved depressive symptoms more quickly than some commonly prescribed SSRIs, according to the study.
Scientists have found that sea surface temperatures in Atlantic, Pacific, and Western Pacific oceans significantly impact rainfall patterns in the Amazon. Sea surface temperatures play a crucial role in predicting drought or floods in the region.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is investing $8.05 million in new 'superbend' beamlines at the Advanced Light Source, enabling protein crystallography research and advancing understanding of molecular function and interaction.
A new Penn study found that over 50% of violently assaulted women were attacked by non-intimates, and most knew or were acquainted with their attackers. The majority of these victims were beaten in public, highlighting the need for crisis interventions within Emergency Departments and long-term community programs.
A study found that physicians who recognized depression asked twice as many questions and spent more time on affective focus with patients. This suggests that better communication skills can help primary care physicians identify depression in their patients.
The University of Chicago has been awarded a $2.4 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to expand its programs in immunology and structural biology. The grant will be used to fund six new junior faculty members, support pilot projects, and establish shared facilities.
The University at Buffalo has received a four-year, $3.8 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to develop two new research centers, including a Center for Genomics and Proteomics and a Center for Single-Molecule Biophysics. Five new faculty members will be hired to further develop this area.
Researchers at Banyu Pharmaceutical Co. in Japan have designed a synthetic molecule that can block the molecular pathway of the opioid receptor-like 1 (ORL-1), leading to a better understanding of pain regulation. This breakthrough finding may pave the way for new and improved drugs to treat pain, as well as other neurological disorders.
A revised geological history of coastal California reveals that the Mendocino Triple Junction is a slab window, too simple to accurately portray events at the northern end of the San Andreas fault. The thickening and thinning of the crust alter the underlying rock characteristics, influencing earthquake responses.
A new study finds that communication skills training can help doctors recognize patients with depression, a condition often missed at the primary care level. The training involves asking about psychosocial issues, using open-ended questions, and allowing more time for patients to talk.
Astronomers predict that upcoming improvements in radio wave observation techniques could permit seeing a circular shadow at the heart of the galaxy, revealing the first image of a black hole's event horizon. This would be a final step in confirming the existence of black holes as cosmic reality.
A study of 14 patients with refractory Crohn's disease found that all participants responded to thalidomide treatment, with significant improvements in disease activity and fistula closure. The median daily steroid dose fell by over 70%, indicating a potential steroid-sparing effect.
A multi-pronged analysis reveals that the supply of clean freshwater is dwindling due to growing demands for irrigation, industry, and natural ecosystem needs. Associate Professor Kenneth Strzepek identifies global river basins under strain, including China's Yellow River basin and Africa's Zambeze River basin.
The HHMI grants aim to strengthen biomedical research at medical schools, which are crucial for advancing medical knowledge. The funding will support junior faculty, pilot studies, and collaborations between basic scientists and clinical researchers.
Scientists generate mutant mice with disrupted estrogen receptors, resulting in adult female ovaries transforming into male-like cells. This discovery advances our understanding of the action of estrogen and its role in human fertility and cancer.
Researchers aim to develop an exercise regimen that can prevent fainting in healthy individuals. Dr. William H. Cooke's study found that a malfunction in arterial pressure sensors and inadequate neural response to blood volume decreases may cause fainting. The investigation explores the effects of different exercise training programs o...
A novel combination of efavirenz and nelfinavir demonstrates strong, sustained results in controlling HIV infection in children. The treatment achieves undetectable virus levels in more than half of the children studied, with fewer side effects and a simplified daily regimen.
A new stepped-care intervention program called Collaborative Care has shown significant improvement in treating severely depressed patients, with a recovery rate of 40% compared to 23% for those receiving usual primary care. The program reduced costs per case successfully treated, offering good news for patients and healthcare systems.
Scientists can estimate ancient atmosphere mass and composition using mayfly fossils due to their consistent flight mechanism, which records air density. The study suggests the atmosphere's mass remained relatively constant over the last quarter-billion years.