A drug used to help people quit smoking may also reduce cocaine cravings in rats, with results showing a reduction of over 40% in self-administration. Mecamylamine blocks nicotinic receptors, which are involved in generating feelings of pleasure and can contribute to addiction.
Researchers found that common food preservatives appear to enhance the cavity-protecting action of fluoride, leading to fewer cavities in rats. Avoiding high-sugar foods, maintaining good brushing habits, and regular dental checkups remain essential for preventing cavities.
Researchers at UB School of Dental Medicine found a strong link between obesity and gum disease, with overweight individuals showing a 50% increased risk of severe periodontal disease. The study also suggests that bacteria in the mouth may contribute to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The cavity rate among children in Rochester is on the rise slightly, with an average of three cavities per 10-year-old child. The decline in cavity rates that began in the 1970s and 1980s has flattened, and researchers warn that complacency may be contributing to the increase.
Researchers found that marine mammals take advantage of buoyancy changes with depth, allowing them to glide rather than swim during deep dives. This strategy enables animals to extend their dives and conserve energy.
Researchers re-create chemical signatures thought to be produced only by living organisms in a laboratory setting. The team's findings suggest that simple chemical processes can account for the proportions previously believed to indicate past life, and may have implications for searching for life on Mars or other celestial bodies.
A new study suggests Reminyl, a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, provides significant cognitive and functional improvements in patients. The medication has been shown to delay the emergence of behavioral symptoms and maintain daily functioning for up to a year.
Researchers at McGill University have identified a novel receptor combination that could lead to new treatments for various neurological disorders. The discovery involves the interaction between dopamine and somatostatin receptors, which can produce synergistic responses when activated simultaneously.
A new, less invasive approach to removing a kidney from living donors has more than doubled the chance of patients receiving a transplant from a friend or loved one. The technique, combined with an educational program, has increased living donor transplants by half, with 40% of recent transplants coming from living donors.
Scientists have discovered a potential drug target for treating African sleeping sickness by identifying a unique metabolic pathway in the parasite. The discovery offers hope for developing effective treatments for the estimated 500,000 people affected by the disease.
University of Cincinnati researchers have developed new techniques to analyze selenium in food supplements, identify arsenic accumulation in seafood and sea plants, and speed up sample preparation using microwave energy. These advancements hold promise for environmental health, bioremediation, and understanding metal toxicity.
A psychologist has developed low-cost methods to reduce pharmacy errors, including the use of larger labels, focused task lighting, and self-monitoring journals. These inexpensive changes can significantly improve accuracy and are relevant for small community drug stores that may not have access to high technology.
Scientists are using harmonic analysis on satellite images to study changes in vegetation during growing seasons and land use patterns. They can detect desertification, forest regeneration, and climate change by analyzing wave patterns and amplitude measurements.
Elias J. Corey has developed a new method for synthesizing ecteinascidin and phthalascidin, two drugs estimated to be at least 100 times more powerful than Taxol in inhibiting tumor cell growth. The findings have shown promising results in soft-tissue sarcoma treatment and could lead to faster availability of these life-saving drugs.
Scientists at Bristol-Myers Squibb identified a novel class of phosphodiesterase inhibitors that act on the same target as sildenafil, showing improved efficacy and selectivity in treating erectile dysfunction. The new compounds were found to be more potent and selective than sildenafil against various forms of the enzyme.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is hosting a conference to discuss current ethics codes, societal efforts, and ways to improve them. The conference will analyze survey outcomes and develop a research agenda to enhance collaboration in promoting research integrity.
The Albert B. Sabin Heroes of Science Awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to biomedical research, including vaccine development and transplant surgery. This year's awardees include Dave and Lynn Frohnmayer, Maurice R. Hilleman, Francis Daniels Moore, Ruth L. Kirschstein, and John Edward Porter.
A recent study found that attending religious services is associated with lower likelihoods of voluntary sexual activity in adolescents. Spiritual interconnectedness and importance of religion also play a role in delaying sexual activity.
Two UC San Francisco scholars analyze a 10-year study on second-hand smoke and cancer, finding the tobacco industry launched an unprecedented misinformation campaign to undermine its findings. The campaign was aimed at slowing down smoking restrictions in European markets.
Researchers have discovered that stimulating nerves can alter cortical responses, leading to potential therapeutic approaches for stroke victims. By bypassing damaged brain areas, patients may regain at least some movement control.
Researchers successfully differentiated human placental cells by adjusting gap size in a fibrous-bed bioreactor, mimicking the body's natural process. The breakthrough may aid organ production for transplantation and has implications for tissue engineering and cancer research.
Researchers found that combretastatin A-4 prodrug significantly enhances the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy agents in laboratory animals. Combining the drug with chemotherapy resulted in a 10 to 500 times increase in tumor cell death, compared to using chemotherapy alone.
New polymers enable polymeric electro-optic modulators to translate electrical signals into optical signals at rates of up to 100 gigabytes per second, increasing information-processing speeds by 10 times those of current electronic devices.
A Harvard study challenges conventional wisdom, suggesting that online retailers can charge higher prices due to reduced price competition. The study reveals that consumer loyalty and convenience of the internet enable firms to increase prices, leading to higher profits.
BioNumerik reports success with its engineered cancer agents, demonstrating reduced toxicity while preserving antitumor activity. The company plans to initiate Phase 3 trials for BNP7787 and expand clinical trials for Karenitecin BNP1350.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has launched a new traveling science laboratory that brings state-of-the-art equipment and teaching tools to North Carolina schools lacking resources. The bus features equipment for wet lab experiments, Internet exploration, and curriculum materials.
Adding acetone to composting method dissolves chunks of carcinogenic substance, allowing microbes to break it down. Microbial populations thrive under modified conditions, degrading explosive in just one day.
Scientists have identified a family of candidate genes in humans and mice that code for receptors detecting bitter and sweet tastes. The discovery provides new tools to trace the wiring of the taste perception pathways into the brain, shedding light on how we perceive different tastes.
Researchers have created a device that converts electric signals into optical transmissions at 100 gigabytes per second, eliminating download time and increasing efficiency. The breakthrough technology has the potential to transform fiber optic telecommunications and enable applications such as aircraft navigation and smart cars.
Capuchin monkeys have been found to cooperate in obtaining food by working together and sharing the rewards. This study by Frans de Waal and Michelle Berger suggests that reciprocity is a fundamental feature of human society and has implications for understanding evolutionary cooperation.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have designed a new type of molecule that exhibits wide-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including effectiveness against resistant bacteria. The synthetic beta-peptides mimic naturally-occurring peptides found in nature and have shown promise in laboratory tests.
A University of California, Berkeley scientist challenges the central tenet of cancer research that genetic mutations drive cancer. Instead, he proposes that aneuploidy, chromosomal duplication, is the primary cause of cancer. Experimental evidence supports this theory, showing cancer cells exhibit massive protein expression changes.
The Ulysses spacecraft detected a dramatic change in solar wind and magnetic field lines, revealing comet tails that are likely billions of miles long. This finding opens up new ways to study comets and gain insights into the solar system's birth.
Researchers studied Atlanta, Salt Lake City, and other cities using Landsat data, finding that adding trees and light-colored roofs can cool city temperatures. Computer models also simulated land use changes to predict stormwater runoff patterns and urban growth in abandoned strip mines.
A new study found that soy foods can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease without stimulating harmful hormone activity. The research involved two groups of people on low-fat diets with or without soy, revealing no evidence to support claims of estrogenic effects.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and George Washington University found 40 cases of tumors in sharks and related fishes, including chondromas. The study casts doubt on the effectiveness of shark cartilage as a cancer cure, highlighting potential risks to patients and marine ecosystems.
Damage to nerves caused by injury can lead to slow and poor recovery. However, a new study suggests that electrical stimulation can enhance nerve regeneration, allowing for faster healing in just two to three weeks. Researchers hope to test this method on people with nerve damage.
A study found that women are three times more likely to have severe arthritis but less likely to discuss joint replacement surgery with their doctors. Women experience worse symptoms and greater disability due to arthritis, yet they receive fewer replacements.
Researchers found that bypass surgery significantly reduces mortality rates for diabetic patients undergoing revascularization procedures. The study, BARI, compared coronary artery bypass graft surgery with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease.
A new study has found that beta radiation treatment can prevent repeat blockages in heart vessels following angioplasty. The treatment was tested on patients who underwent balloon angioplasty for coronary artery disease and showed a significant reduction in recurrent blockage rates.
A study of 74 healthy African-American men found that hard-driving personalities can be beneficial when accompanied by job control and a fair amount of advancement opportunities. In contrast, those with little control over their workload and futures experienced increased cortisol levels, a stress hormone linked to health risks.
A new study reveals that the LDL receptor plays a key role in reducing the production of LDL cholesterol and removing it from the blood, providing insights into familial hypercholesterolemia. The research also explains how statins lower blood cholesterol levels by increasing LDL receptor activity.
Researchers at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver developed a care plan to address patients who frequently visit emergency departments with conditions treatable in community settings. The program involved social workers, physicians, and nurses, reducing hospital visits by 71%.
Researchers at UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center identified genetic regions that confer susceptibility and resistance to a human-like skin cancer in mice. The findings suggest that mouse studies may reveal genetic markers of susceptibility and resistance to cancer in humans, which could impact patient-specific treatment modalities.
A $11-million grant will support a research team in understanding how genetic variation affects the response to anti-cancer drugs. The team aims to develop personalized dosing strategies to increase treatment efficacy while reducing side effects.
Researchers found that Losartan reduced fatty streak development in monkeys fed a high-fat diet by 50%, suggesting the drug's potential in preventing atherosclerosis. The study suggests treating hypertension and cholesterol together may improve heart attack prevention statistics.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that managed honey bees pollinate over 50 crops worth $14.6 billion per year, a 36.3% increase from 1989. The contribution of honey bees to US agriculture is crucial for food production and security.
A team of scientists at UC San Francisco is launching a four-year research project to identify genetic variations that affect how people respond to drugs. The study aims to revolutionize drug design and testing, boost treatment effectiveness, and reduce side effects.
A recent study found that nearly half of undergraduate students (18-19 years old) had fantasized about committing homicide recently. The study suggests that homicidal fantasies may be a relatively normal phenomenon with roots in the evolutionary history of the species, rather than psychopathology.
A new study found that smokers carrying the gene GSTT1 face almost twice the risk of heart problems as non-smokers. The study analyzed data from over 14,000 participants and found that individuals without the gene had a 60% greater risk of heart problems if they smoked.
A new prototype vaccine activates cytotoxic T-lymphocytes to destroy cancer cells using telomerase as a target. The vaccine has shown promise in both human and transgenic mice, indicating potential effectiveness against various types of cancer.
Scientists have discovered a new mechanism for coronal mass ejections, which are large-scale eruptions on the Sun that can cause geomagnetic storms and disrupt power generation. Shock waves generated by solar flares in other regions of the sun can cause these eruptions, contrary to previous thought.
The NIH has awarded nine grants totaling $12.8 million to investigate the role of genetics in determining how medicines work in the human body and what side effects people may experience. These studies aim to develop more personalized medicine approaches through pharmacogenetics research.
A series on rheumatology highlights key steps for diagnosing arthritis and managing related conditions. The series aims to address the growing need for accurate diagnoses and treatment plans in an aging population.
A team of Australian National University scientists has developed a type of semiconductor laser with world-leading performance, which can speed up information transport through optical fibers and improve real-time communication. The technology has attracted international commercial interest, including a Taiwanese company investing $50 ...
Two CIIT researchers were honored for their scholarship by the Society of Toxicology. Dr. Li You was recognized for his work on the effect of DDE, while Dr. Thomas Gelzleichter received an award for his study on inhaled ceramic fibers. Additionally, CIIT Predoctoral Fellow Amy Collins Licata won a student award for her presentation on ...
Researchers found calcified plaque in 7.5% of participants, doubling risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to those without plaque. This discovery moves towards using panoramic dental radiographs as a screening tool for all cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center have successfully conducted a Phase I clinical trial on combretastatin A4 phosphate, a vascular targeting agent. The study found that patients with solid tumors were able to safely tolerate the treatment and showed evidence of decreased blood flow to the tumor.
Researchers discovered that adding carbonate to cow manure can effectively kill dangerous microbes, such as E. coli O157:H7. The treatment is estimated to cost less than $10 per year per cow and could help prevent water contamination.
The Montreal Prostate Cancer Model estimates high disease-specific survival rates following prostatectomy, with comparable results to SEER data. The model also forecasts significant economic burdens of prostate cancer in Canada, totaling $9.76 billion over a lifetime.