A virtual lung model developed at PNNL may help predict pollutant impact on respiratory systems, providing new insights into asthma and other pulmonary diseases. The model simulates how pollutants enter, travel through, and collect in the lungs, enabling scientists to design targeted treatments.
A study in Matlab, Bangladesh reveals that improved family planning services decrease abortion rates without increasing population growth. The availability of better-quality services led to lower abortion rates compared to areas with standard government services.
A randomized trial shows that computer reminders can significantly boost vaccination rates for hospitalized patients, particularly those over 65. The system identified eligible candidates and prompted physicians to order vaccinations, resulting in a 51% increase in influenza vaccinations and a 36% increase in pneumonia vaccinations.
The CorCap Cardiac Support Device is a potential innovative treatment for heart failure that supports the heart and prevents further enlargement. Researchers have found that the device can slow or even halt the progression of heart failure by stopping the enlargement of the cardiac muscle.
Researchers discovered that ants and bees use dynamic sticky organs to adhere to various surfaces. The arolium footpad, which secretes a fluid for adhesion, is a key component of this complex system.
Researchers discovered a new drug that can restore bowel function without affecting pain relief, enabling patients to recover faster and be discharged sooner. The study found significant improvements in recovery times for patients taking the 6mg dose of ADL 8-2698.
A third of U.S. adolescents suffer some form of dating violence, with most instances being psychological abuse. The study found that one in five adolescents reported only psychologic violence and about one in 10 reported physical violence.
Kansas State University researchers have created blue micro LEDs that can be used in smaller items like cell phone displays. The new technology increases efficiency by 60 percent compared to conventional LEDs, which can lead to significant energy savings worldwide.
The study reveals that endothelial cells emit signals to encourage the growth of emerging organs, such as the liver and pancreas, even before functioning blood vessels arise. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of organ development and regeneration.
Researchers at the University of Buffalo have discovered that cells 'wiggle' at high speeds when exposed to voltage changes, without relying on special proteins or lipids. This fundamental property of cells opens up new avenues for studying cell motility and its potential applications in medicine.
Researchers from Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota found that tobacco industry sponsored research misled the public about the health risks of secondhand smoke. The study analyzed over 1.5 million pages of internal documents, revealing a campaign by the industry to deny health risks and preserve profits.
Researchers discovered that blood vessels signal pancreatic cell differentiation, challenging the long-held assumption that organs develop independently. The study found that removing blood vessels from pancreatic tissue disrupts normal gene expression and insulin production.
Research suggests that lifetime physical activity can significantly reduce breast cancer risk, particularly among women engaging in moderate-intensity occupational and household activities. The study found that vigorous activity had little impact on risk reduction, highlighting the importance of frequency and duration of total activity.
A team led by Jonathan M. Smith from the University of Pennsylvania aims to engineer better security features into mainstream computers through open-source collaboration.
A study found that patients with severe psoriasis who use ciclosporin are at a significantly higher risk of developing squamous cell cancer. The risk is particularly high for those using the medication long-term or for extended periods, highlighting the need for careful assessment of its safety.
Researchers at NIMH found that brain activity patterns are unique to each category of object, with even weak responses conveying information about attributes. The study suggests a 'topography' of responses in the ventral temporal lobe of the visual cortex, enabling the brain to represent complex attributes of objects and faces
A new study calls for UK childhood screening of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency, a metabolic disorder affecting up to 1 in 9000 people. The condition can be controlled with carbohydrate intake, but severe neurological damage occurs if diagnosed late.
A new genetic testing service using quantitative fluorescence PCR has been implemented in the UK NHS, providing rapid diagnosis of fetal genetic abnormalities. The service has shown high accuracy and efficiency, with all tested samples yielding results within 1.25 working days.
Combination therapy of perindopril and indapamide significantly lowers blood pressure and reduces recurrent stroke risk. The study found that treatment should be considered routinely for patients with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, regardless of their blood pressure level.