Researchers using the VLA radio telescope found a pulsar that is at least 40,000 years old and may be as old as 170,000 years. This discovery challenges current understanding of neutron stars and their ages.
A recent San Francisco study found that antiretroviral treatment continues to significantly improve AIDS patient survival rates, with a 60% reduction in risk of death for those receiving HAART. The study also revealed increased survival benefits over time, particularly among those diagnosed between 1996 and 1997.
Research shows that Ugandan companies can save money by providing HIV drugs to their employees, with annual cost savings of $74 per skilled employee and $42 per unskilled worker. The study found that providing prophylactic treatment for HIV-infected workers is a cost-effective option.
Two studies compare the efficacy and adherence of the triple nucleoside regimen of Ziagen/Combivir versus PI-containing regimens. Preliminary data show that patients on the Ziagen/Combivir regimen had better viral load suppression, with 68% achieving <400 copies/ml at 24 weeks, compared to 57% on the PI-containing regimen.
A randomized controlled study found a modest but significant reduction in asthma risk at 12 months in high-risk infants through a multifaceted intervention program. The program included avoidance of house dust mites, pet allergens, and tobacco smoke, as well as breastfeeding promotion and partially hydrolyzed formula supplementation.
A comprehensive study of HIV patients taking protease inhibitors found that marijuana use did not alter viral loads, with subjects who smoked or took oral dronabinol experiencing slightly greater declines in HIV RNA levels than those taking placebos. Adverse effects were minimal and not statistically significant.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is launching a new clinical trial to test a promising transplant therapy for type 1 diabetes. The Edmonton protocol involves transplanting insulin-producing pancreas cells and aims to induce immune tolerance, allowing people with the condition to stop relying on insulin injections.
The fourth annual America's Children report shows a decline in childhood mortality, teen birth rates, and poverty. The adolescent birth rate has reached its lowest level ever recorded, with the sharpest decline among black, non-Hispanic girls.
Researchers discovered that flexible polymers behave differently on surfaces compared to in bulk, with a stronger dependence on chain length. The study used two-photon fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to monitor individual molecule motions and found that chains 'entangle' with the surface, causing them to flatten.
Researchers analyzing blood samples from an anonymous test site in Santos, Brazil found a significant increase in HIV infection rates between 1995 and 1999. The majority of recent infections were among heterosexual women, who were also more likely to report anal sex and a history of sexually transmitted disease.
Scientists have identified mating behavior in Candida albicans, a fungus long thought to reproduce only by splitting itself. This discovery promises to accelerate research into the fungus and enable researchers to better understand its biology and identify new drug targets.
Researchers at Adelaide University are working to improve cotton fibre quality through genetic engineering, aiming to increase yield and reduce pesticide use. They are studying the genetic control of fibre development using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model organism.
A University of Colorado Boulder research team has confirmed a theory about charged dust in space, explaining how it affects spacecraft and astronauts. The study used an experiment to levitate particles with positive charge above the moon's surface.
Researchers at University of Toronto have identified a common principle underlying brain cell death in neurodegenerative disorders. They propose a 'one-hit' model, where cells die after a single catastrophic event, rather than gradual damage over time.
A recent study found that a short regimen of nevirapine continues to reduce HIV transmission in infants even when breastfed. The results showed a sustained 39% reduction in risk over 12 months, and preliminary data suggest an additional 2% reduction after 18 months.