A new pilot study suggests that a combination of a low-fat diet and flaxseed supplement may be protective against prostate cancer. The researchers found significant decreases in cholesterol levels and testosterone, as well as lower proliferation rates and higher apoptosis rates in tumor cells among those on the diet.
A retrospective study of 681 HIV-positive patients found that Virco's VirtualPhenotype? and Antivirogram? resistance tests accurately predicted treatment outcomes. Patients receiving three or four active drugs experienced significant reductions in viral load and increases in CD4 cell counts.
A new database reveals that humans have reshaped the global landscape for centuries, leading to significant environmental degradation. The study highlights the urgent need to address the depletion of natural resources and mitigate climate change.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded $12 million in grants to informal science education centers across the US. The funding will support collaborations between nature centers, schools, and community institutions to strengthen science literacy among children and families.
A new mathematical model developed by Cornell University researchers predicts brain development milestones in mammals, including humans. The model accurately predicted post-conception time of neural events in rats, mice, and monkeys, but revealed discrepancies for human infants and primates.
A recent survey found that herbal product users are more likely to be women and have used multivitamins or nutritional supplements; 61% of respondents reported using an herbal product in the past 12 months. Physicians should become educated about herbs to identify potential risks and engage in dialogue with patients about herb use.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that HAART suppresses viral replication and mutation, delaying the onset of AIDS. The study used genetic signatures to track HIV-1 activity in 20 participants on HAART for at least 25 months.
The study recommends that physicians specifically ask patients about herbal medication use before surgery, as many patients fail to disclose their use. Herbal medications can affect heart rate, blood clotting, and immune function, making it essential for patients to stop taking them before surgery.
A virtual-reality training tool is being developed to help astronauts learn techniques for navigating complex spacecraft and maintaining orientation in microgravity environments. The device tests users' ability to maintain spatial awareness and navigate through various modules.
A recent study found that adolescents who participated in community-based treatment programs significantly reduced drug use and criminal behavior, and improved academic performance. Longer stays in treatment were associated with better outcomes.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that prostaglandins are required for efficient liver regeneration. The research used mouse models to show that blocking prostaglandin synthesis impaired the liver's regenerative response, highlighting a crucial role for these molecules in liver disease.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are conducting animal trials to test a new compound against breast cancer, which strengthens the immune system. The project aims to determine the involvement of the immune system in the drug's cancer-killing ability and assess its effectiveness in treating breast cancer in humans.
A study by UB researchers found that more than half of survivors diagnosed with uncontrolled high blood pressure still had hypertension, and 46% of those with dangerously high cholesterol continued to have high levels. This highlights the need for improved secondary prevention strategies in the US population.
The Oceanography Society honors John Knauss, former dean of the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, for his groundbreaking work on fellowship programs and oceanographic education. The journal issue features articles on topics that interest Knauss, including the Law of the Sea and current research in the Pacific.
Researchers found that vegetable recipes from around the world are less spicy than their meat-based counterparts, thanks to plants' inherent defenses against bacterial and fungal infections. The study suggests that spices were originally used to protect against foodborne pathogens in hot climates before refrigeration.
A new study from Case Western Reserve University finds that prior knowledge of the donation process, how a family is asked, and demographics play important roles in the decision to donate. Families with prior discussion about their relatives' wishes were more likely to donate.
Mario Szegedy, a Rutgers associate professor, has been awarded the Gödel Prize for his groundbreaking research on computationally hard problems. His work showed that certain optimization problems, like Max-Clique, cannot have approximate solutions unless they have exact solutions.
Virginia Tech researchers are exploring a plant-based approach to produce a human enzyme for treating Type 2 diabetes. The project aims to create a transgenic plant that can cheaply produce D-chiro inositol, which is currently synthesized through expensive and painful processes.
Researchers found nearly a fourth of S. aureus genome is dispensable, allowing bacteria to adapt and spread through population. Contingency genes provide flexibility in causing diseases in humans, cows, and other organisms.
A study published in Ethnicity and Disease found that cocaine use and hypertension are major risk factors for brain hemorrhage in young African Americans. The researchers also discovered that the incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage is nearly 50 times higher in African Americans than in white patients.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that asthmatic African Americans receive less high-quality asthma care compared to whites, with disparities in medication use and specialist referrals. The study highlights the need for further investigation into barriers affecting asthma care for minority populations.
A study published in Neuropsychology found that pre-pubescent boys use more of their right brain to process faces and expressions, whereas girls use more of their left brain. This difference has significant implications for understanding the effects of brain injury on men and women.
Researchers developed a new 'ex situ' method to recover high-resolution NMR spectroscopy data from samples in nonuniform fields. This breakthrough extends the use of NMR as an analytical tool, enabling studies on previously inaccessible samples.
A study suggests that emphasizing the risks of avoiding breast cancer screening is effective in motivating women to get screened, particularly for white and Hispanic participants. However, black participants showed no significant change in mammography rates during the study period.
A study published in Psycho-Oncology found that support groups significantly reduced anxiety among children aged 7-18 whose sibling was treated for leukemia, lymphoma, or other cancers. The five-session program enhanced feelings of control, allowing children to share experiences and emotions, and teaching them coping strategies.
Researchers found a significant difference in movement on each side of the Eastern California Shear Zone, with one side moving more than the other due to varying heat flow properties. This discovery provides a more accurate method for modeling earthquake data and could be applicable in many places.
A new study by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that a motivational interviewing approach can reduce second-hand smoke exposure in young children. The study, known as Project KISS, showed a significant reduction in exposure to second-hand smoke among participants.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology finds that family caregiving for elderly patients with cancer translates to an average yearly cost of $1,200 per patient and about $1 billion nationally. Informal care is often overlooked when estimating total costs of cancer treatment.
A new study published in Psycho-Oncology found that people with advanced cancer are more willing to consider toxic chemotherapy regimens, even if they offer only minimal benefits. Cancer patients generally accepted both milder and riskier treatments, unlike healthy individuals and healthcare professionals.
Studies of the Eastern California Shear Zone reveal significant temperature and heat flow differences between sides of a strike slip fault, leading to unequal ground movement during earthquakes. This discovery provides a more accurate method for modeling earthquake data, allowing computer models to better fit ground reality.
The RNA Invader assay directly detects gene expression levels without sample contamination, allowing for accurate quantification of small changes in biologically significant genes. This technology also discriminates between nearly identical RNA sequences, enabling researchers to identify specific targets with consistency.
Scientists uncover evidence that the amyloid-beta protein precursor (APP) can activate gene transcription through interactions with adaptor proteins Fe65 and Tip60. This finding suggests a potential link between misregulated gene expression and sporadic Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers from Universität Bonn discovered that seals can navigate through dark water by detecting the hydrodynamic trail of a fish using their whiskers. In experiments with two seals, Henry and Nick, they found that the whiskers played a crucial role in finding prey over long distances.
Penn State researchers studied silica layer formation on modified e-glass, discovering that it breaks up and repolymerizes during corrosion. Understanding this process could lead to stronger fibers and improved lung safety for people exposed to glass fibers.
Researchers have created a nanotube single electron transistor that operates efficiently at room temperature. The device is smaller than 1/500th the distance across a human hair and only requires one electron to toggle between on and off states, making it an ideal candidate for molecular computers.
The study suggests that normal visual experience is necessary for proper brain development, with abnormal experiences disrupting neural pathways in the visual cortex. This challenges the long-held belief that either experience or innate wiring alone determines orientation selectivity.
Gene expression is found to be highly variable in cloned mice, with imprinted genes showing widespread aberrant regulation. This variability may contribute to the large offspring and respiratory problems commonly seen in clones.
A study found significant differences in spinal cord area between patients with diabetic neuropathy and healthy controls. The research suggests potential new therapies for detecting neuropathic process at an earlier stage.
Researchers propose that the APP tail participates in gene expression by binding to DNA, potentially activating transcription. This finding may shed light on mechanisms behind Alzheimer's disease and raise concerns about the effectiveness of drugs intended to prevent plaque formation.
Researchers have confirmed an estimated 30,000 human genes using a comparative analysis of human chromosome 19 with similar sections of mouse DNA. The study found over 300 additional human genes and confirmed the existence of other computer-predicted genes.
Scientists discovered that even seemingly normal-looking clones may have subtle aberrations in gene expression, which can affect development. The study found that mouse clones made from embryonic stem cells exhibited irregular gene expression, highlighting the potential risks of reproductive cloning.
A study found that extended-duration prophylaxis significantly reduced the incidence of symptomatic VTE in patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement. The reduction in risk is equivalent to about 20 symptomatic events per 1000 patients treated.
A study found that meditation training reduced psychological distress by an average of 54% in stressed-out participants. The program also showed significant improvements in medical symptoms, bringing participants within the range of normal health and well-being.
Tick-borne encephalitis incidence in Sweden has increased since the mid-1980s, with mild winters and early spring favouring tick activity being key contributors. Climate change is also linked to changes in host animal populations and access to vaccination.
Women with a prior cesarean section who deliver by labor have a higher risk of uterine rupture compared to those who opt for another C-section. The study also found that use of prostaglandin to induce labor significantly increases the risk of uterine rupture.
Researchers found a strong correlation between the Arctic Oscillation's negative phase and near-record cold days and snow storms over a broader region of the hemisphere. The Arctic Oscillation has been linked to wide-ranging climate effects in the Northern Hemisphere, preventing freezing temperatures from extending as far south.
Researchers suggest emphasizing law enforcement at early stages of a new drug epidemic, then shifting funds to treatment when use flattens. The model is based on data from the U.S. cocaine epidemic and takes into account market and price dynamics, including the role of initiation, cessation, and treatment.
Low-dose combined spinal epidural and infusion techniques have been shown to increase the rate of normal vaginal delivery compared to traditional epidurals. However, these methods may also be associated with longer recovery times for newborns and increased risk of breathing difficulties.
A new study reveals that vaccinating poor children against measles significantly improves their long-term survival rates and reduces health inequities. The research found that vaccinated children from poor families were 50% less likely to die before age 5 compared to unvaccinated children.
A new analysis of the BIODEPTH project reveals that complementary interactions between species play a stronger role in determining ecosystem productivity than previously thought. This finding suggests that conserving a variety of species is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems.
New studies announce that AVANDIA (rosiglitazone maleate) may significantly reduce insulin resistance and lower cardiovascular risk in Type 2 diabetes patients. Insulin resistance is a fundamental cause of the condition, and targeting it with AVANDIA could lead to better outcomes.
A US study found that women with a prior Caesarean delivery are at increased risk of uterine rupture during labor, especially if induced. The study analyzed data from over 20,000 births and found associations between induction methods and uterine rupture risk.
A study by Israeli fertility experts found that a quarter of women and two husbands had abnormal chromosomes, leading to repeated embryo implantation failure. The researchers are calling for an international registry to be established to record chromosomal aberrations in infertility patients.
Researchers have developed a pre-conception sex-sorting technique that significantly increases the number of female embryos available through IVF. The MicroSort technology, which uses flow cytometry, has shown a 9 out of 10 chance of biopsied embryos being female, benefiting couples with X-linked disorders.
A new report reveals that bipolar disorder costs the UK over £2 billion annually, with up to 85% associated with lost productivity. The study suggests Risperdal as an effective treatment for acute bipolar mania, improving symptoms by at least 50% in patients.
Researchers at UC Berkeley create a superfluid analog of superconducting SQUID, detecting quantum oscillations in helium-3 and measuring tiny changes in rotation. This breakthrough enables potential ultrasensitivity in gyroscopes and testing predictions from Einstein's general theory of relativity.
Researchers found that Raloxifene stimulated the growth of ovarian cancer cell lines, raising concerns about its use in ER+ patients. The study advises caution when prescribing Raloxifene to women with a history of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Researchers discovered high levels of hydroxyl (OH) radical in the near-surface atmosphere over the South Pole, exceeding equatorial values. The findings suggest that glacio-chemists must be cautious when interpreting Antarctic ice cores, as changes in chemical species may continue for years after being trapped in the snowpack.
A comprehensive analysis of aquatic bird genes reveals that flamingos are closely related to grebes, contrary to their physical appearance. The study suggests that evolutionary change occurred at a faster pace than previously recognized, with physical features evolving repeatedly in different species.
A Smith College-sponsored expedition will retrace the original route of the Harriman Expedition, assessing ecological and societal changes in Alaska over the last century. The expedition aims to recreate E.H. Harriman's 'floating university' with leading scholars and researchers.