A genetic 'thermostat' called LRP5 regulates bone mass during growth and may contribute to normal variation in bone strength. The discovery could lead to new treatments for rare genetic disorders and potentially increase bone density in the general population.
Researchers found that Helicobacter pylori infection was more common in patients with hereditary angioneurotic oedema, a genetic disorder causing non-itchy swellings. Eradicating the infection improved abdominal symptoms and reduced episodes of acute pain.
A study led by Drs. Eva S. Lefkowitz and Karen Fingerman found that middle-aged women take charge in conversations with their aging mothers, using positive language to maintain good relationships. The researchers recorded 46 mother-daughter pairs and discovered a low level of negativity in their interactions.
A landmark clinical trial at 22 medical centers has found that implanted heart pumps with wearable controls significantly increase the likelihood of terminally ill heart failure patients surviving a year, with a 52.1% one-year survival rate compared to 24.7% for those receiving medication and medical monitoring.
A UK-based study found that over 90% of probation officers and 70% of GPs and clergy reported being verbally abused in the past two years. Physical assaults were also common, affecting between 10-12% of community professionals.
Researchers found that vibrations recorded on September 11 were of a low magnitude, too small to cause structural damage. The collapse of the towers was attributed to the interaction between the ground and building foundations, transmitting energy from the impacts and collapses.
Researchers identified a specific mutation in the presenilin 1 gene that increases beta amyloid expression, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study found 18 unrelated families with the same mutation, suggesting a common ancestral origin.
A meta-analysis of 53 controlled clinical trials involving over 24,000 patients found that 10mg rizatriptan, 80mg eletriptan, and 12.5mg almotriptan showed better efficacy and consistency compared to sumatriptan. The results suggest that physicians need a variety of triptans in their repertoire to best treat patients with migraine.
Cosmologists have developed a new simulation model that suggests the first star in the universe formed from a cloud of hydrogen and helium at least 100 times more massive than our sun. The simulations provide insights into the chemical elements produced in stars, including metals heavier than lithium.
Researchers found that abnormal alpha-interferon secretion in lupus patients leads to hyperactivation of dendritic cells, causing the immune system to attack healthy cells. This abnormal reaction can result in chronic inflammation affecting various organs, including the skin, kidneys, and joints.
A new study from the Mayo Clinic has identified a crucial protein involved in male fertility, shedding light on a common cause of infertility. The research found that mice lacking this protein are infertile, highlighting the importance of Hrb protein in acrosome development.
A new molecular nanogenerator has been developed to target and destroy cancer cells using actinium-225. The treatment showed promising results in cell culture and animal models, killing cancer cells at extremely low concentrations.
Researchers have made significant discoveries about the San Andreas Fault using a new technique for seismic imaging. The study has provided valuable information on the properties of rocks near the surface and the deep fault line, shedding light on the potential risks and opportunities associated with drilling through the fault.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a wireless broadband communications network for rapid deployment in disaster response and recovery efforts. The system uses the 28 GHz band to connect remote stations and provide GIS access, audio/video conferencing, and collaborative decision-making tools.
Researchers develop a condition-based monitoring system using radar-like signals to detect material damage in aircraft and vehicles. The system can accurately determine the location and severity of damage, even when temperature changes affect material behavior.
Researchers found that a chemical signal from the nervous system can redirect immune actions, affecting conditions like arthritis and asthma. The discovery suggests potential for developing drugs to regulate the immune response and improve defenses.
Researchers identified three genetic subtypes of lung adenocarcinomas, each associated with different survival rates and treatment outcomes. The study could improve diagnosis and treatment options for patients with this aggressive form of lung cancer.
University of Cincinnati researchers are monitoring Arctic thaw lake basins using radiocarbon dating, pollen analysis, and remote sensing. The study aims to improve understanding of the role of interactions among land, atmosphere, and ice in the functioning of the Arctic System.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered that FMRP controls the fate of specific proteins in brain cells, explaining the physical, cognitive, and behavioral abnormalities characteristic of fragile X syndrome. The findings offer potential for future therapies to lessen the disease's impact.
A study found that prolonged abstinence from alcohol can lead to partial reversal of structural brain damage, particularly in the frontal lobes and cerebellum. This suggests that brain function can improve with abstinence, offering hope for recovering alcoholics.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that altering nitric oxide levels in developing tadpoles significantly affects brain size and cell number. Nitric oxide signals cells to stop proliferating, enabling specialization into distinct types.
A comprehensive program combining naltrexone, communication skills training, and cue exposure training significantly reduced heavy drinking days and urges to drink. Patients who received the communications and coping skills training were less likely to report a relapse day.
A recent discovery by Dr. Kathrin Muegge and colleagues has revealed that a protein called Lsh is required for normal genome-wide methylation during development. The study suggests that chromatin structure plays a crucial role in regulating DNA methylation, which is essential for gene expression and cellular function.
The study found that prehospital administration of the clot-dissolving drug reteplase decreased treatment time by more than 30 minutes at hospitals with average transport times and in-hospital treatment times. The savings exceeded 45 minutes at slower treatment time hospitals, highlighting the potential to improve patient outcomes.
A six-year study found that regular low-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking four times a week, reduced CRP levels and improved blood vessel function in men. The study showed a significant reduction in inflammation markers for genetically susceptible individuals.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new tissue engineering method that uses a polymer to encourage the formation of healthy blood vessels in living rats. The approach, which combines VEGF and PDGF growth factors, shows promise for treating coronary artery disease and speeding up wound healing.
Arsenic inhibits transcription of the hTERT gene, which in turn inhibits telomerase, causing genetic instability that may lead to cancer in healthy cells. The study's findings also have implications for developing more effective chemotherapy treatments for leukemia.
Researchers found that troponin levels can accurately predict future heart attack risk, even when traditional measures are negative. The study suggests using troponin as a reliable indicator of cardiac cell damage, rather than creatine kinase-MB, to detect high-risk patients.
Researchers discovered a natural protein called p22 that inhibits blood vessel growth, preventing tumors from growing. The study showed that p22 is released by cancerous cells and targets only those cells that help tumors grow, reducing the risk of metastasis.
The study examined the impact of alcohol on NMDA receptors in the brain, finding that it inhibits or prevents Fos protein induction. This suggests that alcohol acts by modifying these receptors, which could be linked to the development of symptoms and susceptibility to alcoholism.
Researchers found that individuals who took naltrexone for at least two months had fewer heavy drinking days and urges to drink, while coping skills training provided lasting benefits in reducing relapse severity.
A University of Michigan study found that female rats exposed to estrogen and cocaine showed increased sensitization, leading to faster craving and lower doses. The effects persisted even after the hormone was removed.
Researchers have discovered that statins can help alleviate symptoms of cardiac hypertrophy without affecting cholesterol levels. The findings suggest that statins may modulate signaling pathways involved in hypertrophic growth, leading to improved cardiovascular outcomes.
Researchers have found that a Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine may also protect people from the most serious complication associated with West Nile virus infection. The study tested two vaccines in hamsters and found that they provided better protection than other options, including a yellow fever vaccine.
Researchers track Lyme disease ticks along riverbeds in Illinois and find they are migrating south-southwest towards the Mississippi River. The ticks need small mammals as hosts to become infected and deer as a preferred host for adult ticks.
Telomeres, protective caps on chromosome ends, are shorter in people exposed to arsenic, increasing cancer risk. Long-term arsenic exposure has been associated with accelerated telomere shortening, a potential biomarker for arsenic poisoning.
Researchers identified Dmp1 as a critical tumor suppressor gene that promotes tumorigenesis when mutated, providing new insights into cancer development. The study found that even one defective copy of the Dmp1 gene is sufficient to drive lymphoma progression in cells with normal p53 status.
A new protein test has been developed to improve heart attack detection, particularly in cases of non-ST segment elevation heart attack. The test shows significant predictive value and could lead to a doubling of identified patients with mild heart attacks.
Researchers from North Carolina State University isolated a new peptide antibiotic from hybrid striped bass mast cells, which could fight important bacterial pathogens in both fish and mammals.
Scientists from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Pharmacia have found that mice engineered to produce human COX-2 protein develop age-related memory loss, mirroring problems seen in Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests targeting the protein could prevent neurological diseases.
A Sea Grant study found no Asian or North American lung flukes in over 800 Chinese mitten crabs collected in the San Francisco Bay. The crabs were analyzed alongside more than 400 crayfish, all of which were also free of the parasites.
A study found that individuals with the ALDH2 gene tend to have a stronger unpleasant response to alcohol, which may reduce high-risk expectancies. This genetic factor influences what people learn about the benefits of drinking, particularly in men.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in stopping internal bleeding without surgery, using traditional ultrasound to locate bleeding combined with HIFU. The technique has been shown to be effective in stopping bleeding in blood vessels and solid organs like the liver and spleen, offering new hope for emergency medical treatment.
A recent Indiana University study found that nearly one in four older African Americans have measurable cognitive problems, with prevalence increasing with age. Researchers also discovered that a significant proportion of those with cognitive impairment may progress to dementia within 18 months.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers have found evidence that alcohol inhibits the actions of key proteins called N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors in specific regions of the brain. This new interaction affects brain regions involved in memory formation and higher mental functions.
This year, APS awarded several prestigious lectureships to outstanding researchers in physiology. The award winners include Allen Cowley, Pontus Persson, Adrian Morrison, and Albert Bennett, who will present their research on various topics including genomics, cardiovascular function, biomedical ethics, and more.
A University of Michigan study tracked weight changes among over 10,000 adults for 13 years, finding that about 51% of men and 55% of women remained in the same weight category. The study also revealed a significant 'yo-yo diet effect,' with nearly one-fifth of children aged 2-12 being overweight or at risk.
A new analysis method developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine allows for faster and more accurate determination of the human genome sequence. The technique identifies highly reliable data points within microarray sequences, enabling researchers to examine genetic variations linked to diseases such as high blood pressure and schizophrenia.
Acupuncture was found to significantly reduce sympathetic nerve activity in critically ill chronic heart failure patients, but blood pressure and heart rate remained unaffected. Further study is needed to confirm the treatment's effectiveness and potential benefits for patients with severe heart failure.
A 7-year clinical trial comparing aspirin and warfarin found that both drugs are safe and effective in preventing recurrent strokes in most patients. Aspirin slows clotting of blood platelets, while warfarin inhibits circulating clotting proteins.
A recent study has found that women with a particular gene sequence are at a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The study, conducted by researchers at UCSF and Axys Pharmaceuticals, followed over 2,800 women for seven years and found that those with the high-risk polymorphism were 30-40% more likely...
A pilot study demonstrates a new self-expanding cylindrical filter is effective in preventing plaque dislodgement and blockage in older vein grafts. The procedure collected plaque material from 77% of patients without complications, paving the way for further clinical trials.
Researchers developed a dendritic cell-based vaccination that targets opportunistic fungal infections, offering hope for prevention and treatment of these infections. The vaccine demonstrated promise in preclinical studies, paving the way for further investigation and potential clinical implementation.
Researchers used EBCT to screen coronary arteries for calcium deposits in former Kawasaki patients. Four out of 18 participants showed positive results, indicating moderate to high risk of coronary artery disease. The study suggests that EBCT can be an effective non-invasive screening method for detecting artery disease in these patients.
A recent study found that 2% of heart attack patients treated with thrombolytics had medical conditions that should have ruled them out, resulting in poorer outcomes. These patients were three times more likely to die and eight times more likely to experience bleeding complications.
The total number of living species is uncertain due to uneven taxonomic coverage and statistical barriers. Alroy estimates that one in five currently used species names may be invalid, posing a critical issue for species at risk of extinction.
A new treatment regimen combining chemotherapy and radiation therapy significantly improved failure-free survival rates for patients with early-stage Hodgkin's disease. The study also found that staging laparotomy could be avoided, leading to better patient outcomes.
Researchers found that snow shoveling increased tPA antigen levels and decreased PAI-1 activity in a way that didn't occur during automated snow removal or maximal treadmill exercise. Young, healthy individuals showed protective responses to moderate exercise that prevented heart attacks.
A single dose of enoxaparin sodium has been shown to prevent the development of blood clots in high-risk patients who undergo long-haul flights. Researchers found that only one superficial clot occurred among 82 participants receiving enoxaparin, compared to 3.6% DVT rates in those taking aspirin and 4.8% in those with no treatment. Th...
A new research project could help forecast floods and associated cholera outbreaks in Bangladesh, aiding farmers and improving quality of life. The team will use computer modeling to pinpoint Indian Ocean conditions and rainfall patterns, enabling local forecasts that can aid communities.