A study by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that heart attack survivors experience blood vessel disease progression three to four times faster than those without heart disease. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and smoking history significantly accelerate this process.
Carolina scientists have identified and purified hepatic stem cells, which can regenerate liver and bile duct tissue. The accomplishment marks a milestone for future liver regeneration through cellular therapy, potentially reducing the need for whole-organ transplants in patients with various liver diseases.
A recent study found that adolescents with both alcohol and antisocial problems exhibit an increase in serotonin function, contradicting previous research on Type II alcoholism. This suggests that serotonin dysregulation may be key to high-risk behaviors, rather than low or high levels of the neurotransmitter.
A study of 196 people with and without Parkinson's disease found that coffee use was associated with a lower risk of developing the disease. Heavier coffee drinkers exhibited fewer instances of the disease, while tobacco chewers and alcoholics were also less likely to develop the condition.
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research examines the influence of peer and partner drinking on adults during the year before marriage. The research reveals that individual characteristics and friends' drinking behaviors are both significant factors in shaping adult drinking habits, with the spouse's fri...
A new Yale research program aims to bridge the knowledge gap on women and drug abuse, providing training opportunities for scholars to develop sex-specific treatments and prevention strategies. The five-year program will focus on understanding the etiology of drug abuse in women and its impact on families.
The Yale School of Medicine has launched a new center to study hypoglycemia, led by Dr. Robert Sherwin and Dr. Douglas Rothman. Researchers will use various technologies to investigate the causes and solutions for hypoglycemia, aiming to prevent severe episodes.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that artificially intensifying the heart's pumping action, known as aortic counterpulsation, showed modest but significant benefits for the sickest heart attack patients. The technique, combined with clot-busting drugs, reduced six-month mortality rates by 4% compared to treatment alone.
Researchers at Penn State and the University of Miami studied two fault lines in Baja California to understand how strain is partitioned between them. The team found that the Agua Blanco fault has little earthquake activity, while the San Miguel fault has most of the earthquakes.
A new non-invasive skin test can measure cholesterol levels in just three minutes, potentially offering a simple way to assess risk of heart disease. The test found that those with the highest skin cholesterol levels also had the greatest number of diseased arteries.
Researchers have found that transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) laser surgery can provide long-term relief from angina by creating channels for blood flow through the heart. The procedure has been shown to reduce chest pain in 60% of patients for at least five years, with some experiencing relief for up to eight years after treatment.
A UCSF study finds that eptifibatide helps preserve microvasculature and blood flow into the heart muscle, improving oxygen supply to patients undergoing angioplasty. The drug improves large artery blood flow by 39% and microvascular blood flow by 84%, potentially reducing irreversible heart injury.
A new blood marker, MIRF (Myocardial Ischemia Rating Function), has been found to be highly correlated with the incidence and severity of coronary artery disease. Combining this marker with age and gender can enhance disease predictability, allowing for a simple screening test.
A study found that earlier recognition of a child's prognosis by both parents and physicians can lead to stronger emphasis on treatment aimed at lessening suffering. The study also revealed that high-quality palliative care is more likely when both parties recognize the child's prognosis.
A survey conducted by Dr. Maria Silveira found that many patients and families in Oregon are unaware of their basic rights regarding end-of-life care. The results suggest a need for healthcare providers to actively educate patients about their options, including refusal of treatment, withdrawal of care, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.
Research on fossil Teleoceras teeth suggests a semi-aquatic lifestyle for the ancient rhinoceros, mirroring that of modern hippos. The study's findings indicate low variability in oxygen isotope compositions among aquatic mammals, contrasting with higher variability in land animals.
Researchers found that smokers with a past history of alcoholism have increased nicotine self-administration and rewarding effects, suggesting a link between the two addictive behaviors. The study suggests that medications to block nicotine dependence and counseling may be effective in helping these individuals quit smoking.
A study by American Heart Association finds that consuming heavy meals may trigger heart attacks, increasing risk by about four times within two hours. The research suggests that eating a large meal can lead to temporary rises in blood pressure and heart rate, potentially causing heart attacks or strokes.
A recent study found that men are twice as likely to develop Parkinson's disease compared to women. The risk of developing the disease increases with age for both men and women. Researchers are still unsure why Parkinson's is more common in men, but one theory suggests that estrogen may protect women from the disease.
A University of Maryland study found that high cholesterol hinders the effectiveness of aspirin in reducing platelet aggregation and preventing heart attacks. The study showed that 60% of patients with high cholesterol levels above 220mg/dL remained at increased risk despite taking daily aspirin doses.
Researchers have discovered a genetic biomarker that can be detected in tumor tissue and patient blood, helping doctors diagnose esophageal cancer more accurately. The biomarker, an altered APC gene, has been found in 92% of patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma and 50% of those with squamous cell carcinoma.
Family physicians face barriers to discussing resuscitation orders with patients, including personal discomfort and fear of damaging relationships. Despite being ideally situated for these discussions, recognizing these barriers is necessary to improve communication and self-awareness.
PUNCH provides a worldwide 'computational grid' allowing users to run programs remotely over the Internet, saving money for engineering students. The system can automatically find resources, including supercomputers, to complete jobs, making it a prototype for a large-scale infrastructure.
A team of geologists found evidence of powerful Ordovician earthquakes that caused widespread damage across the eastern United States, stretching from Kentucky to New York. The earthquakes likely had a magnitude of 7-9 and were triggered by the collision of North America with a volcanic island chain.
Researchers at Cornell University have found that releasing an early army of beneficial Trichogramma ostriniae wasps can halve European corn borer damage. The study suggests that growers only need to release around 30,000 wasps per acre and that subsequent releases may not be necessary.
A speech-language pathologist is presenting a successful program that helps male-to-female transgender clients acquire a more feminine-sounding voice. The one-year intensive therapy focuses on practical skills like speech rate, intonation, and non-verbal communication to improve the client's overall perception as a woman.
Researchers have discovered a method for producing silicon-based chemicals from sand, rice hull ash, and antifreeze, reducing the need for expensive high-temperature processing and toxic by-products. The new process enables the creation of novel compounds with potential pharmacological activity, such as wound healing and hair growth.
A study found no significant difference in reducing maternal weight gain and gestational diabetes among Cree women, suggesting cultural factors and intervention intensity as contributing factors. Culturally appropriate modifications to interventions are proposed to reduce the risk of diabetes in pregnancy among this population.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has awarded five new grants to support research on osteogenesis imperfecta. These grants will focus on developing treatments, such as gene therapies and drug treatments, to improve diagnosis and treatment options for people with OI.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that dosing errors in clot-buster drugs may not be the primary cause of adverse outcomes. The study analyzed data from the ASSENT-2 trial and found that patients who received incorrect doses had similar mortality rates to those receiving the correct dose, suggesting confounding issues.
Researchers found that individuals with high anxiety sensitivity exhibit increased fear of anxiety and experience reduced anxiety symptoms when drinking. This study suggests that high AS individuals may drink excessively to cope with anxiety, leading to a higher risk of alcohol abuse.
University of Michigan professor Rodney Ewing argues that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's method for assessing the Yucca Mountain site's safety is flawed due to large uncertainties. He proposes a more comprehensive approach by evaluating independent barriers, such as canisters and rock layers, to ensure the site's long-term safety.
A new study found that premenopausal women are more vulnerable to sudden, serious heart disease during their menstrual cycle when estrogen levels are at their lowest. The research also identified other health risks that worsen the odds for heart disease in young women.
Researchers found that young birds can recognize and prefer learning the songs of their own subspecies over other types. The study also revealed that birds have a more finely detailed sense of song than previously thought. After tutoring, two-thirds of the birds chose to sing their own subspecies' song.
Researchers at Yale have discovered that the Golgi apparatus is an independent organelle that exists independently of the endoplasmic reticulum. This finding gives researchers a better understanding of cell division and uncontrolled cell division in cancer.
A team of geologists proposes a new model for the collision and rifting of ancient continents, contradicting a previous theory. The revised model suggests that land masses were broken apart into smaller terrains that attached over time, rather than undergoing a massive collision.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that African-Americans are 30% more likely to die from diastolic heart failure than their white counterparts. The study controlled for various factors such as age, gender, and disease severity, but the disparity persisted, suggesting a combination of genetic and treatment differences.
Individuals undergoing non-emergency angioplasty in facilities without surgical backup are twice as likely to die and 20% more likely to require bypass surgery. The study suggests that the procedure can be safely performed with a backup team for emergency cases, but not for non-emergency procedures.
A new study found that managed care organizations (MCOs) are moving towards instituting quality improvement programs, but may face significant barriers, including a lack of clear consensus among stakeholders and the desire for price over quality. MCO administrators believe that price alone drives most decisions to purchase healthcare.
Researchers used computer simulations to analyze the Chicxulub impact crater, revealing that it may have behaved like a fluid during its formation. This finding could help explain the complex internal structures observed in the crater and shed light on the environmental effects of large-impact craters.