Healthcare personnel working in poorly ventilated general hospital rooms were at risk for sero-conversion of tuberculosis. Improving ventilation to at least two air exchanges per hour can help prevent this risk. Additionally, a program using an educational videotape and brochure increased colon cancer screening rates among patients.
A group of scientists and policymakers are convening a conference to develop a federal science policy blueprint that addresses critical national issues. The conference aims to link basic science research with vital areas of public interest, such as education, energy, and global climate change.
The new guidelines recommend making both Zyban and nicotine replacement therapy available on NHS prescription to help smokers quit. The guidelines also suggest that hospitals should become totally smoke-free zones and provide training and resources for healthcare professionals to support patients in quitting smoking.
Neurons control connection strength by removing or inserting receptors for glutamate, a key neurotransmitter. The discovery reveals a 'shuttle' system that rapidly regulates receptor numbers, allowing neurons to adjust connection strength.
A study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital found that over 90% of young women with anorexia nervosa suffered from significant bone loss. The research highlights the importance of regaining and maintaining a healthy weight in preventing or reducing bone loss.
A Yale study of over 51,000 participants found that taking aspirin daily reduces the risk of a first heart attack by 32%. However, it did not significantly reduce overall stroke or cardiovascular death rates, and may increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
Researchers from the University of Florida and Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that oxidative stress is involved in kwashiorkor, leading to high levels of free radicals destroying healthy cells. The study suggests giving children antioxidant supplements may help increase their life spans.
Researchers analyzed data on over 1,200 cardiac patients and found that negative affect and hopelessness were strong predictors of survival. These symptoms were linked to a 40% increased risk of death compared to those with little negative affect.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute uncovered how retroviruses like HIV make their escape from infected cells by using ubiquitin and a viral segment called the late domain. This study sheds light on previously unknown aspects of viral assembly and budding, potentially leading to new techniques for arresting viral spread.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that sleeping the first night improves task performance and memory consolidation. Despite two additional nights of sleep, those who stayed up all night initially showed no improvement.
A study of over 1,300 elderly participants found associations between early sexual abuse and increased risks of breast cancer, arthritis, and thyroid disease. The study also noted unexpected findings, such as an association between early sexual abuse and a reduced risk of hypertension.
The University of California, San Francisco has launched a groundbreaking Spanish/English smoking cessation research program on the Internet. The program aims to recruit bilingual smokers from around the world and provide them with a comprehensive online resource to help them quit smoking.
A new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers shows that watching a videotape explaining colon cancer procedures can increase screening rates by at least 15%. This could lead to significant reductions in deaths from colorectal cancer, with over 47,000 Americans dying annually.