Researchers found that patients with severe asthma who use intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in conjunction with steroids have fewer hospitalizations for asthma attacks than those using only steroids. IVIG also reduces lung inflammation and increases steroid sensitivity, making it an effective treatment option for people with asthma.
Patients with atrial septal defects can benefit from surgical closure earlier in life to prevent future symptoms, according to researchers. The study found that surgery between ages 16 and 80 can restore normal blood circulation and prevent arrhythmia.
Dr. Jeanne Sauber will present a lecture on the earthquake hazard in Alaska, studying subduction from space, at the National Science Teachers Association convention in Boston. She will discuss direct measurements of subduction using space-based data and its implications for Alaskan plate movement.
Dr. Alex Sherriffs, a UCSF-Fresno Medical Education Program faculty member, has been recognized with the 1999 Award for Educational Excellence from the California Academy of Family Physicians Foundation. He is praised for his commitment to education and his ability to provide excellent mentorship to medical students.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that intensive hog operations are disproportionately located in poor and non-white communities across North Carolina. The research, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' Environmental Justice Program, analyzed data from 1998 and 1990 to show that...
A study by Dr. Jane Leserman found that women with a history of sexual and physical abuse are more likely to have poor health during pregnancy and after childbirth, including higher levels of pain and depressive symptoms. The study suggests that trauma can have a long-lasting effect on a person's physiology and health.
A new study by Purdue University researchers reveals that snowpacks not only absorb chemicals but also produce them in the Arctic atmosphere. The findings challenge previous assumptions about how atmospheric gases are processed and may require a re-evaluation of data from ice core studies.
A new ventilator treatment has been shown to significantly reduce mortality among victims of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) by 25%. The treatment involves providing smaller breaths of oxygen-rich air, which may protect the lung from injury. This life-saving breakthrough could save thousands of lives annually.
Researchers have created self-assembling nanospheres that can control the release of drugs and have superior characteristics to traditional fillers. These durable silica spheres range in size from 2-50 nanometers and can absorb organic and inorganic substances, making them useful for various applications.
The Home Energy Saver Internet site computes residential energy savings possibilities for consumers by analyzing a home's energy use and identifying tailored improvements. The site provides personalized recommendations, linking users to hundreds of practical resources for energy-efficient products, service providers, and online materials.
A Johns Hopkins University engineer has developed a microchip-based robotic vision system that enables toy cars to follow lines while avoiding obstacles. The technology could also be used in medical systems, manufacturing plants, and surveillance systems.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory are exploring quantum-based phenomena to enhance computer microchips and other electronic devices. They aim to develop tiny, efficient semiconductors using quantum dots, which could lead to quantum computing and improved light-emitting applications.
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the need for concerted action to reduce tobacco use among children. Tobacco control is a cultural struggle against tobacco companies targeting adolescents. Governments must take decisive actions to cut tobacco consumption, while supporting farmers and workers in the tobacco industry.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that more than two-thirds of animated feature films produced for children over the past 60 years display tobacco or alcohol use. The study examined nearly all G-rated animated films released between 1937 and 1997, including popular titles such as Disney and Warner Brothers films.
The MIT Touch Lab researches the hand's intricate mechanisms, aiming to enhance hand impairments diagnosis and virtual reality experiences. Advanced technologies, such as ultrasound microscopes and haptic interfaces, are being developed to study human perception and touch.