Scientists identify a feature common to the immune systems of long-term nonprogressors that enables them to resist disease. The discovery links HLA B*5701 gene to immune resistance in HIV-infected individuals, offering new insights into mechanisms of immune defense.
Research suggests that prolonged exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields may increase the risk of suicide. The study found a significant association between electromagnetic field exposure and death from suicide, particularly among those with high levels of exposure.
A study by Cornell University economists finds that stricter high school graduation requirements can result in a 3-7% increase in dropout rates, affecting 26,000 to 65,000 students nationwide. Higher course graduation requirements are associated with higher attrition rates, dropout rates, and individual probabilities of dropping out.
Participation in breast cancer support groups can help women cope and function better when their spouses are not supportive. However, for those with adequate support at home, peer-discussion groups may worsen daily functioning. The study suggests that exposure to weekly discussions may re-evaluate relationships or spur conflict at home.
AIDS patients with limited emotional support are more likely to be nonadherent to their medication regimens. Confidence and social support significantly predict medication adherence, suggesting interventions should focus on enhancing these factors.
A study conducted by researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center shows that nearly 75 percent of children with severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis respond dramatically to ENBREL (etanercept). The drug eases joint pain and swelling, enhances mobility, and improves disease activity for patients.
Experts say independent scientific panels can provide valuable insights for judges in complex cases, helping them make fair judgments. A panel of scientists advised a judge on silicone breast implants and found no evidence of a link between the implants and connective tissue diseases.
A study found that auditors and salespersons distort information to support their preferred decisions, with auditors showing less distortion than salespersons. Holding professionals accountable lowered distortion for salespersons, but not for auditors.
Three Cedars-Sinai physicians are leading a fight against women's cancers through innovative research, clinical care, and genetic screenings. Beth Karlan focuses on curing and preventing ovarian cancer, while Maren Scheuner develops personalized prevention plans for breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.
A large-scale study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found no connection between silicone breast implants and connective tissue diseases. The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, included data from 757 studies and analyzed 9 cohort studies, 9 case-control studies, and 2 cross-sectional studies.
A new study finds that critically injured patients who arrived at trauma centers via private transportation had similar mortality rates, hospital stays, and complications as those transported by emergency medical services (EMS). However, they tended to arrive at the center more quickly following injury, which was associated with better...
A follow-up study of ENBREL (etanercept) treatment for chronic heart failure found sustained improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and no increase in adverse events. The study involved 12 patients treated with ENBREL for nine months, showing continued tolerability of the drug.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that almost 60% of patients with low-risk heart attacks do not experience complications beyond three days. While shorter stays may save resources, the study suggests that the additional day is often unnecessary and costs hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins describe fundamental shape of telomerase molecule in mammals and other vertebrates, identifying four common areas highly involved with the enzyme's working. This new information may prompt approaches to inhibit the enzyme, which is active in cancer cells and contributes to their continuous cell division.
A new cost analysis at Duke University Medical Center found that comprehensive heart failure teams can reduce healthcare costs by over one-third. By shifting care to outpatient visits, these teams improve the effective use of medications, particularly newer agents, leading to a 37% decrease in total treatment costs.
Researchers at Brookhaven Lab have developed a new class of environmentally friendly electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries, which will be tested in test battery cells. The new compounds are being investigated to address performance problems with existing materials.
The National Robotics Engineering Consortium (NREC) at Carnegie Mellon University is hosting Pittsburgh Robotics Day to celebrate robotics technology in western Pennsylvania. The event features exhibits and demonstrations of various robotic applications, including autonomous farming, bridge construction, and driver monitoring systems.
Research in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that divorced and separated men are more than twice as likely to commit suicide as married or partnered men. The study analyzed data from a long-term US research project, which included around 472,000 men and women.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that beta-endorphin levels are heritable and can predict an individual's risk of developing alcoholism. The research suggests that the hormone may be used as a biomarker to identify specific individuals at high genetic risk.
Despite evidence supporting aspirin's effectiveness in preventing future heart problems, low usage rates were found among patients with coronary artery disease. The study, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, highlights the need for optimal use of life-saving medications.
Researchers found that HPTE inhibited testosterone production in developing and adult Leydig cells, with longer treatment times causing greater inhibition. The study suggests that understanding the effects of endocrine disruptors like HPTE may lead to new molecular targets for male contraceptives.
The trial found that eptifibatide significantly reduced deaths and heart attacks by 40% within the first 48 hours of use. This represents a substantial improvement over the current standard treatment, abciximab, which costs $1,500 compared to $400 for eptifibatide.
A systematic program implementing advance directives in six Ontario, Canada nursing homes reduced hospitalizations by an average of $1,200 per patient. Satisfaction levels with care were unchanged, while mortality rates remained similar between the treatment and control groups.
Researchers discussed various molecular pathways that lead to cancer, including cellular senescence and oncogenic signaling. The symposium addressed the role of genetic instability and signaling pathways in cancer progression.
A simple blood test identified patients who benefited markedly from glycoprotein IIb/IIIa platelet inhibitor drugs, showing a 50% improvement in risk of death and second heart attack. Patients with high troponin T levels were found to be at increased risk and benefit most from these drugs.
Research found that frequent family dinners lead to better diet quality in adolescents, including more fruits and veggies, and fewer unhealthy foods. Health professionals can support this trend by encouraging family meals as a way to improve the dietary habits of older children and adolescents.
A new study of 309 older women found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) did not slow the progression of heart disease. HRT lowered cholesterol, but this benefit did not translate to a measurable impact on artery narrowing.
Researchers found that MK-801 blocks the sensitizing effects of alcohol, making it a potential treatment for addiction. Behavioral sensitization is a phenomenon where repeated exposure to alcohol increases its rewarding effects, leading to overconsumption and addiction.
Researchers found that aberrant cytosine methylation and chromatin condensation can silence maspin gene expression, allowing tumors to grow and spread. The discovery provides critical information on the regulatory mechanisms of maspin, paving the way for potential cancer therapies.
Researchers found high ambient solar radiation associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk of cortical cataracts and a 4.0-fold increased risk of mixed cataracts. Simple preventive strategies like avoiding exposure at mid-day may help reduce cataract prevalence, the study concludes.
Researchers found that aggressive treatment strategies, such as re-administration of clot-busters and emergency revascularization procedures, can reduce mortality rates almost threefold. However, many patients continue to receive conservative therapy despite these newer therapies being available.
The VHA initiative has dramatically improved stroke treatment times, reducing hospital CT scan interpretation from 219 to 115 minutes. This significant reduction in time has enabled more patients to receive tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) within the three-hour window, improving patient outcomes.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center used a modified cold virus to deliver a nitric oxide-producing gene to key liver cells in rats, reversing portal hypertension. This approach may eventually prove feasible for humans suffering from liver cirrhosis.
Researchers found that an experimental pain drug, kappa-opioid, provides effective pain relief to female rats, but has no effect on males. The study suggests a fundamental difference in brain responses between genders, which may lead to the development of more effective and non-addictive pain treatments for women.
The Association of American Geographers will hold its 96th annual meeting in Pittsburgh, April 4-8, 2000, featuring research presentations on topics such as war atrocities, urban heat islands, and divorce decisions. The event is expected to draw over 3,800 geographers.
Researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have demonstrated that computer crash simulation software can successfully predict the likelihood and severity of injuries to children from airbag activation. The study found that airbags pose a significant risk to restrained children, particularly in high-severity crashes.
A study found that metallothionein levels increase in the brain in response to alcohol consumption, suggesting a potential protective role. Higher MT levels may explain different levels of alcohol-related toxicity in individuals.
A study by the Center for Advancing Health found that approximately 40% of the US population takes at least one vitamin or mineral supplement. The most commonly reported ingredients are vitamin C, B12, and E, but participants also used over 300 nonvitamin products posing serious health risks.
A clinical trial revealed that regular aspirin was as effective as sibrafiban in preventing blood clots, while high-dose sibrafiban showed increased risk of death and second heart attacks. Aspirin's minimal risks make it a hard-to-beat option.
A Duke study found that physicians' personal beliefs about treating patients with diabetes didn't change despite being informed of an evidence-based treatment guideline. The study suggests a widespread problem in medicine where doctors rely on their own experience rather than new data.
Researchers present study showing implanted chemotherapy pump significantly increases survival rates for patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer. The pump distributes chemotherapy directly to the liver, resulting in reduced recurrence and improved outcomes.
Researchers have identified a genetic link between intersex goats and a rare human disorder causing excess eyelid growth and premature ovarian failure. The study found that the gene region responsible for intersex goats' hornlessness is similar to the human disorder Blepharophimosis Ptosis Epicanthus inversus syndrome.
The National Science Board will hold an open session on March 15-16 to discuss key issues including budget and long-range planning. The meeting will provide an opportunity for reporters to engage in discussions with the NSB Chair and NSF Director.
Researchers at Yale and Alexion discovered harmful complement activation in patients with acute coronary syndrome, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study found that activated complement levels increased by up to 70% in ACS patients' hearts, compared to 16% in stable angina patients.
The NEAR spacecraft has obtained the first ever laser range returns from an asteroid and the first ever X-ray detection of an asteroid. High-resolution images show chains of craters, numerous boulders, and long ridges on the surface of asteroid Eros.
A Duke University Medical Center study found that depressed heart failure patients are at a higher risk of dying and experience more cardiovascular complications. The research proposes a mechanism by which depression harms the heart, including diminished heart rate variability and stickier platelets that increase blood clotting
A study found that acutely ill asthmatics have a low pH level in their expired air, which normalizes with glucocorticoid treatment. This discovery may lead to novel therapies aimed at restoring the natural pH balance of the airway.
A statewide project led by UNC Chapel Hill aims to understand how North Carolina counties have implemented the state's Work First Program. The study will gather information from county officials and analyze interviews with key stakeholders, providing insights into the evolving relationships between states and their counties.
A new study found that women taking lower-dose birth control pills experienced fewer side effects, such as bloating and breast tenderness, compared to those taking traditional 35 mcg pills. The study also showed that these lower-dose pills provided equally good contraceptive protection.
A new study from the University of California, San Francisco, suggests that stimulating blood vessel growth with VEGF may help repair stubbornly non-healing fractures. Researchers found that injecting VEGF into broken mouse legs promoted bone growth and increased expression of genes necessary for osteoblast formation.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that levels of two blood factors associated with heart disease risk vary during a woman's menstrual cycle. Levels of PAI-1 decreased steadily as the cycle progressed, while vWF peaked at days 2 and 23, potentially increasing heart attack risk for postmenopausal women.
Researchers found that using smaller mechanical breaths reduces deaths from acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The study showed a 22% decrease in mortality rates, giving acutely inflamed lungs a better chance of healing.
Alexandre Chorin, a renowned mathematician, is working on a new method of optimal prediction that could contribute to solving the turbulence problem. His work incorporates contributions from collaborators and aims to tackle the complex multi-dimensional problem that defies current computing power.
Researchers have confirmed a new, genetically distinct species of Pfiesteria that thrives in waters with high levels of nitrogen, posing risks to fish and potentially human health. The discovery brings the total number of toxic Pfiesteria species to two, shedding light on their life cycles and behaviors.
Researchers found that Pin1 depletion allows cell division despite DNA damage, suggesting drugs inhibiting Pin1 could trigger cancer cells to divide and die even with lethal damage. This approach may spare normal cells from uncontrolled division.
Researchers have identified a protein, Chk2, that activates the tumor suppressor gene p53 to prevent damaged DNA from causing cancer. In Chk2-deficient cells, the brakes on proliferation are released, allowing cancerous cell growth.
Current data shows that nursing homes with low nurse staff levels have a greater incidence of health problems among older adults. The authors recommend minimum staffing standards to improve care, including higher registered nurse-to-resident ratios and additional education and training.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a molecular switch, the protein p21, that controls the development and proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells. The discovery may solve a major limitation to using these stem cells in transplants and gene therapies.
Researchers modeled US ecosystem carbon budget using state-of-the-art data and models, finding small uptake of carbon despite high emissions. The results suggest that ecosystems in the US store carbon, but not enough to balance fossil fuel use, making other regions important for climate change mitigation.
A recent study published in Science reveals that urban and industrial air pollution can suppress rainfall and snowfall by creating clouds with abnormally small water droplets. This phenomenon occurs when pollution particles act as 'seeding' sites, preventing cloud moisture from condensing into raindrops and ice crystals.