A new study by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center reveals that some children receive five times more radiation than necessary during CT scans. Researchers found that adjusting technical factors like tube current and pitch can significantly reduce exposure without sacrificing image quality.
A study found that the cholesterol-lowering drug pravastatin reduced stroke risk by 20% in patients with heart disease or high cholesterol. The medication also showed benefit when combined with aspirin and blood-pressure-lowering drugs, providing a new approach to preventing strokes.
Scientists have detected early indications of a lobster decline in the Gulf of Maine, with juvenile lobsters showing a 40% decrease in Penobscot Bay. The research team's approach to monitoring three stages of lobster life suggests widespread declines at least west of Penobscot Bay.
A study by Dr. Vivek Goel and colleagues found that women with early-stage breast cancer treated in specialized teaching hospitals had a higher 5-year survival rate than those treated in community hospitals. The results suggest that initial treatment at specialized centers may be advantageous for women with small tumors.
A study found that nutrient-dense food supplementation significantly lowered serum homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels, indicating a reduction in cardiovascular risk. However, exercise had no effect on neuropsychological functioning or nutritional health in frail elderly subjects.
A new therapy effectively treats a disease similar to multiple sclerosis in monkeys by targeting T cells that cause the disease. The approach could soon be tested against MS and other autoimmune diseases in humans, offering potential for improved treatment options.
A new study found that puberty causes a general metabolic slowdown in both white and African American adolescents, with African Americans having greater lean mass in limbs but lower lean mass in the trunk. This difference may contribute to a lower resting energy expenditure (REE) in African Americans.
A new study found that women treated in teaching hospitals for initial breast cancer surgery had a five-year survival rate of 93%, compared to 89% for those treated in community hospitals. Comprehensive care approaches and multidisciplinary services may contribute to these differences.
Three new studies show that expressing positive emotions can lead to better relationships, mental focus, and personal well-being. Additionally, research finds that a positive outlook on life persists into old age, with extraverted individuals less likely to experience a decline in positive affect.
Researchers found that obese women who used weight loss medication MERIDIA in combination with a comprehensive lifestyle modification program lost an average of 24.4 pounds, compared to 8.4 pounds for those treated by medication alone. Lifestyle modification included diet and exercise, as well as weekly group sessions to plan meals and...
A University of Cincinnati doctoral student and her team have found conclusive evidence of burnt animal sacrifice in Bronze Age Greece, supporting details in Homer's 'The Odyssey'. The Pylos bones date back to the 13th century B.C. and provide historical credence to the practice.
A specific protein isolated from Chilean tarantula venom shows promise as a basis for new drugs to prevent atrial fibrillation, a major cause of death following a heart attack. The research demonstrates the physiological function of mechanosensitive ion channels in the heart for the first time.
A wearable translator is being developed by ONR to provide real-time language translation for the military and civilians. The device will be able to understand context and generate appropriate translations, benefiting various professionals such as airport personnel and tourists.
A system of acoustic sensors, originally developed for underwater mine detection, has been fitted onto gates and locks at Port Canaveral to protect manatees. Since its installation in March 2023, the system has detected seven manatees and saved them from death.
A study found that individuals with high scores for neuroticism tend to have lower immune system responses to vaccination, making them more vulnerable to disease. Stress can further weaken the immune system, exacerbating this effect.
Jay Levy, MD, argues that an HIV vaccine aiming to reduce virus levels in blood and genital fluids could play a crucial role in controlling the epidemic. This approach would delay disease development and suppress the virus worldwide, rather than achieving sterilizing immunity.
Warmer tropical Pacific Ocean sea-surface temperatures are responsible for increased cloudiness and regional cooling in the central and eastern US. The effect is attributed to moisture transport, which generates additional cloud cover and reflects solar radiation back into space.
Researchers have discovered a new protein component that controls calcium entry into cells and activates itself and other proteins, making it a potential new drug target for diseases like cancer and heart conditions. The protein, TRP-PLIK, is present in many tissues and its unique dual function has sparked interest among scientists.
At Temple University, students are participating in a month-long course to study the biology of coral reefs, with a field trip to Belize's Great Barrier Reef. Researchers from Temple and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have also discovered early evidence of root crop cultivation in the Americas, dating back nearly 7,000 years.
A 21-year global record of precipitation suggests a decrease in rainfall over the Indian Ocean may signal an approaching strong El Niño. This finding could provide nations most affected by El Niños with earlier warning systems to better prepare for devastating climate changes.
Purdue University researchers found that sea salt and sunlight interact to destroy ozone in the Arctic troposphere. The study suggests a naturally occurring process that may impact air quality in urban areas.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a receptor responsible for inhibiting the growth of injured nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This finding holds promise for reversing functional deficits caused by trauma, stroke, or degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
A study found that using oral steroids to control severe asthma attacks reduced the risk of death from the disease by 90 percent. A written asthma action plan also significantly reduced the risk of death and hospitalization rates. Additionally, African-American women experienced a slower rate of lung function decline with age compared ...
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have discovered a genetic mutation in the MAD2 protein that makes cancer cells genetically unstable and resistant to chemotherapy drugs. This finding may lead to new treatments and diagnostic markers for aggressive tumors.
A new study suggests that pessimists can temper their negative outlook when judging others by focusing on the task at hand. Pessimistic individuals are aware of their negativity and can correct for this bias if they have sufficient mental resources available.
A new study reveals that well-intentioned conservation programs in the Amazon are insufficient to offset the destruction from agriculture, timber, and mining. The researchers project devastating impacts on biodiversity, climate change, and global warming if current trends continue.
Recent advances in diabetes treatment have improved blood sugar control, allowing patients to dodge complications until late life. New drug therapies, including metformin and insulin analogs, have enhanced treatment possibilities.
A new study predicts that Brazil's planned road network will lead to widespread devastation of the Amazon rainforest, releasing more greenhouse gases and increasing forest fires. The researchers' models suggest that up to 1 million acres of rainforest could be lost annually.
Karen Wynn, a Yale psychologist, has been awarded the Troland Research Award for her groundbreaking research on infants' numerical competence. Her studies have revealed that infants can distinguish between different quantities and even compute simple additions and subtractions.
Dr. Jeffrey S. Chamberlain joins the University of Washington to study muscular dystrophy gene therapies with a focus on developing vectors for genetic delivery. His research aims to prevent and reverse the disease, offering hope for treatment or cure options.
Scientists at Ohio State University found that saturated landfills can decompose biodegradable waste 10-20 times faster than usual. This means more room for additional trash in the same landfill, cutting down on the need for extra space and enabling recycling of extracted recyclables.
A search for lightning on Venus in 1998 and 1999 using the Cassini spacecraft failed to detect high-frequency radio waves commonly associated with lightning. Donald Gurnett, a space physicist at the University of Iowa, suggests that if lightning exists on Venus, it may be extremely rare or very different from terrestrial lightning.
A new study documents the effectiveness of recombinant enzyme treatments for mucopolysaccharidosis 1, a rare disorder that causes progressive developmental delays and death. The genetically engineered enzyme shows significant improvement in patients' ability to get around and their overall health.
A study of 50 patients found that almost twice as many preferred disposable extended-wear lenses due to their convenience. The subjects reported no differences in vision, comfort, or eye health between the two types of lenses.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that the right hemisphere helps people recognize themselves in pictures. The study used morphed images blending a patient's face with famous faces and showed that patients' right brains could recognize their own faces even when anesthetized, but not when only the left brain was ...
Researchers discover a ring species of greenish warblers with gradually changing behavioral and genetic characteristics encircling the Tibetan Plateau. The study reveals how small evolutionary changes can lead to reproductive isolation between species.
A study of nearly 10,000 children in the UK found that obese children are at greater risk of developing asthma. The researchers discovered a significant association between weight and respiratory symptoms, with the heaviest children more likely to experience wheezing and asthma attacks.
Structural engineers at UCSD are researching ways to stabilize fragile cliffs along the US coastline, particularly in San Diego County. Their comprehensive guidebook aims to provide proactive solutions to prevent erosion and destruction, while maintaining environmental integrity.
A study led by Dr. William Bensinger found that patients undergoing stem-cell transplantation lived longer than those receiving marrow transplants, especially for high-risk blood cancers. The study also showed lower rates of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease with stem cells.
A University of Florida study found that an antibacterial agent in some asthma medications can cause airway constriction, potentially reducing the effectiveness of rescue medicine. The researchers call on parents and healthcare professionals to choose products without benzalkonium chloride.
A recent study found that nearly half of military women are uncomfortable going on sick call for genitourinary infections while deployed. Women's health issues, including urinary tract infections and vaginitis, can compromise duty performance and cause significant time loss.
Scientists at Princess Margaret Hospital have discovered the role of CD45 in regulating cellular signals and found that it acts as an 'off switch' to prevent diseases. The discovery could lead to targeted treatments for chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease by controlling the body's immune response.
Scientists from Japan, US, and UK collaborate to build instruments for Solar-B, a satellite studying the Sun's magnetic field and its impact on Earth's climate. The mission aims to understand how magnetic fields interact with the Sun's atmosphere and release energy in solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
SEQUENOM successfully validated the largest collection of gene-based SNPs to date, identifying 3,148 previously unknown SNPs. The company's MassARRAY system enabled rapid and high precision SNP allele frequency determination in pooled DNA samples.
A study of 79,839 middle-aged women found that higher consumption of fish and n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was linked to a lower risk of thrombotic stroke. Women who ate fish more frequently had a significant reduction in stroke risk, with the greatest benefit seen among those who didn't take aspirin regularly.
A new study by Brookhaven National Laboratory researchers shows that Ritalin significantly increases dopamine levels in the brain, stimulating attention and motivational circuits. This increase in dopamine leads to improved focus and completion of tasks, making it an effective treatment for ADHD.
The AAPS PharmSci theme issue delves into the current status of personalized medicine and its promises and limitations. The issue explores new technologies, genetic testing, and individualized approaches to drug therapy.
A team of researchers has developed an experimental HIV-1 vaccine specifically designed to combat the rising HIV epidemic in Nigeria, where the strain is unique and anti-HIV drugs are largely unavailable. The vaccine uses innovative technologies to induce strong antiviral immunity and has shown promising results in preclinical testing.
A study by Ashish K. Jha and colleagues found that black patients in VA hospitals had lower mortality rates than white patients for six common medical diagnoses, including pneumonia, angina, and diabetes. The survival advantage was consistent across disease, age, financial status, and hospital-level subgroups.
A new study reveals that warmer surface temperatures during summers can cause ice shelves to collapse, leading to increased ice flow and sea-level rise. The research found that added pressure from meltwater can crack ice shelves, causing portions to float away and eventually melt.
Dr. Baerbel K. Lucchitta's research finds that some Martian outflow channels display similar characteristics to those on the Antarctic sea floor, carved by ice streams. The study suggests an ancient ocean may have existed in Mars' northern plains.
A University of Cincinnati biochemist has discovered that the V3 loop region of the HIV gp120 protein is structurally flexible, changing its shape as needed to bind to host cells. This finding rules out using a fixed structure as a target for anti-HIV drugs, making it harder to develop effective treatments.
NASA has launched a new Second Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle program office at the Marshall Space Flight Center, aiming to develop a safer and less expensive launch system. The program seeks proposals from industry and academia to reduce business and technical risk.
A new study reveals that Ph.D. training often fails to prepare students for careers outside of academia, despite their desire to do so. Key findings include a lack of understanding about non-academic career options and inadequate preparation for teaching and service activities.
Scientists found that warmer surface temperatures can splinter an ice shelf and prime it for a major collapse. The process is triggered by the added pressure from surface water filling crevasses, which can crack the ice entirely through.
Cornell University Library is exploring the idea of creating permanent digital archives for scholarly journals, known as Project Harvest. The project aims to address concerns about preserving literature that is now being distributed in electronic form.
Researchers found African Americans hospitalized at VA centers have a 25% lower mortality rate compared to white patients. The study suggests equal access to care may be the key factor behind this finding, but more research is needed to understand the underlying reasons.
A new study from the University at Buffalo reveals that obese individuals carry a massive oxidative load that increases their risk of heart disease. Severe calorie restriction decreases free radical production by over 50%, reducing the risk of developing heart disease without medication.
Research highlights the benefits of physical activity in reducing heart disease risk in women with diabetes. Regular walking and faster walking paces were associated with even lower risks. Additionally, a study suggests that ursodiol may reduce colon cancer risk for some patients with ulcerative colitis.
Research reveals complex molecular changes in Lyme bacteria during tick feeding, leading to variable surface protein expressions. This complexity makes it challenging to develop effective vaccines, but understanding the biology of transmission may lead to better vaccine candidates.