A recent UK study published in Neurology found no association between Gulf War exposure and specific impairments of peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction, or skeletal muscles. The study used robust neurophysiologic tests and included representative comparison groups to rule out objective dysfunction.
Researchers have obtained near-infrared images of the hot spots in radio galaxy 3C 445 using advanced instruments on the VLT ANTU telescope. The images show synchrotron emission associated with an intergalactic shock, providing evidence of cosmic accelerators far from the galaxy and its main jets.
Researchers aim to isolate and sequence chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes from 50-100 plants to determine relationships among ancient plant groups. By comparing these genomes, they hope to answer questions about how many times land was colonized by green algae and how multicellular plants evolved.
A large randomized trial found no improvement in cognitive function among postmenopausal women with coronary disease after four years of hormone replacement therapy. The study provides no evidence regarding the effect of estrogen-only therapy on cognition, contradicting some previous studies that showed an improvement in younger women
Researchers found gabapentin significantly reduced RLS symptoms and improved sleep quality in patients. The study, conducted by the American Academy of Neurology, suggests gabapentin as a potential treatment option for RLS.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that patients waiting for cardiac catheterization experienced a significant risk of mortality and morbidity. The study documented 109 cases of major cardiac events among 8030 patients, resulting in 50 deaths during a median wait time of 27 days.
Advances in biotechnology are expected to boost immunity, improve lactose utilization, and relieve diarrhea in designer milks. Green cows are also being developed to reduce methane production and greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers tested infants' ability to recognize relationships among shapes, finding they paid more attention to pairs of shapes that occurred most often together. This innate ability helps babies build a concept of the world by recognizing patterns in images and is essential for learning and understanding.
The US Department of Energy is supporting a project to develop an artificial retina that can capture visual signals and send them to the brain, restoring vision to patients with age-related macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa. The next-generation device aims to have 1,000 electrodes, allowing users to see images.
Researchers are developing non-invasive methods for delivering therapies, such as patches, inhalers, and ultrasound, to overcome limitations of traditional drug delivery. Tissue engineering also holds promise for growing new organs and tissues using cells and polymers, offering potential solutions for diseases like diabetes and paralysis.
Ó Riain's study reveals the high-pressure work environment of technical communities, where social relations are defined by common interests rather than employer ties. Technical workers experience strenuous deadlines, long hours, and frustration, limiting their civic engagement and advancement opportunities for women.
Researchers discovered that a high level of perceived life stress was associated with low antibody levels in students after receiving the meningitis C vaccine. Low psychological well-being, such as feeling anxious or under strain, was also linked to low antibody levels.
Winning students in Texas created groundbreaking projects that address pressing issues like HIV destruction, urinalysis technology, and eco-friendly transportation. Their innovative solutions have the potential to save lives and improve healthcare outcomes.
Researchers link chronic fatigue syndrome to an impaired stress response, finding lower levels of a key hormone in patients. The study suggests that future research should investigate the role of cortisol in the condition.
Research reveals that women with bulimia who have a more chronic disease and engage in frequent bingeing and vomiting have lower leptin levels. The findings suggest that factors other than body weight changes may impair leptin secretion, highlighting the need for longer-term studies on the topic.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking Concord grape juice for two weeks increases the resistance of LDL cholesterol to oxidation. This reduction in oxidative stress may contribute to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
UF researchers found that patients who wait longer for a kidney transplant are more likely to experience poorer outcomes. The study showed that even those who receive kidneys from living donors may not reap the full benefits if they have been on dialysis for too long.
A Harvard Medical School study reveals that a specific ovary gene, Fmn2, plays a crucial role in ensuring proper chromosome distribution during egg cell division. The researchers found that mutations in this gene can lead to severe pregnancy complications, including recurrent miscarriages and birth defects.
Researchers discovered that mice without the myostatin gene had less physical damage to their muscles and were stronger than those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Blocking the myostatin protein may help delay progression or improve quality of life, but more studies are needed in humans.
Scientists have created a new blood test for coronary artery disease using Metabonomics, which measures magnetic properties of molecules in blood. The test is minimally invasive and could be widely available within two years.
Scientists discovered that SNF5 is a tumor suppressor gene responsible for malignant rhabdoid tumors, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. The study used a novel knockout technique to create mice with reversible, inverting conditional SNF5 genes, which developed cancers quickly.
A small randomised controlled study of eight patients with ARDS found that re-inflation after suctioning increased lung volume and oxygen levels, suggesting a potential benefit for recovery. The researchers hope this technique could have a positive impact on patient outcomes.
Marcella Kelly uses infrared remotely triggered cameras to photograph jaguars in Belize's Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Her research estimates the presence of at least eight jaguars per 100 square miles, highlighting the species' endangered status due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting.
Scientists have identified a new mammal species in Australia, the short-eared possum, which is morphologically and genetically distinct from the mountain brushtail possum. The discovery highlights the importance of conservation efforts for these two species, which require old-growth forests to survive.
A recent study found that 62.2% of surveyed US adults are classified as incompletely healthy, with most suffering from poor physical health. The researchers identified key factors associated with complete health, including gender, age, marital status, education, and income.
A study estimates that US HIV prevention efforts saved between 204,000 to 1.585 million lives and resulted in cost savings of at least $11 billion since the onset of the epidemic, with a cost per infection prevented ranging from under $50,000 to $6,400.
A study by Dr. David Cumming found significant variation in dilation and curretage (D&C) procedures across Alberta, with some regions experiencing a fivefold increase in rates. Less invasive therapies can accomplish the same goals as D&C, making it an unnecessary procedure for many women, according to the study's findings.
The Darwin Correspondence Project has published 12 of a projected 32-volume set of Charles Darwin's letters, providing a historical view of his ideas on evolution. The project, founded in 1974, is jointly managed by the American Council of Learned Societies and Cambridge University Library.
A new set of guidelines, known as Clinical Glidepaths, aims to improve treatment decisions for older adults by considering individual probabilities of life expectancy and function. The 24 paths cover various common problems faced by elderly patients, allowing clinicians to tailor care to each patient's unique needs.
A recent MIT study suggests that irrigation pumping may increase or decrease arsenic levels in Bangladesh's drinking wells, with complex effects on groundwater chemistry. The researchers found that degradation of organic carbon by microbes mobilizes arsenic, but deeper wells may reduce arsenic concentrations in some areas.
Researchers are studying the natural processes that clean up acid and heavy metal-contaminated water at a Massachusetts mine site. The UMass team is investigating the role of microorganisms in breaking down these pollutants, with the goal of demonstrating global importance of using bacteria to clean up the environment.
Research in mice found that rapamycin combined with radiation treatment delayed the regrowth of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) human tumors by an average of 19 days. Rapamycin inhibits the activity of mTOR, a protein promoting tumor growth, and its combination with radiation may enhance chemotherapy efficacy.
A phase I trial using rViscumin administered intravenously has begun in Hanover and Nantes, France, with preliminary results showing immune system responses to the drug. The trials are part of further Phase I studies being considered, which will determine the clinical significance of rViscumin.
A recent study suggests that roads are a major threat to US turtle populations, with over 5% of turtles likely to die while crossing roads. The researchers recommend establishing buffer zones around aquatic habitats and building road crossings to mitigate this issue.
Researchers analyzed data from two large studies and found that individuals with the highest adherence to dietary guidelines had significantly lower risks of chronic diseases. Men in the highest-scoring quintile of the AHEI had a 20% reduced risk of developing major chronic disease, while women had an 11% reduced risk.
A 2-week study found Concord grape juice provided significant antioxidant protection, outperforming á-tocopherol supplements. The unique finding was that CGJ reduced oxidized protein concentration by 20%, a benefit not seen with the supplements.
A phase 3 study found Enbrel inhibited radiographic progression in patients with active psoriatic arthritis. The drug reduced the progression of bone erosions and joint space narrowing associated with the disease.
A study found that approximately 13% of elderly individuals had high iron stores, while those consuming more fruit and whole grains had lower risks. The study suggests that a typical Western diet and unsupervised iron supplements may increase the risk of developing chronic disease.
Researchers found habitat destruction and pesticide exposure linked to declines of four frog species and two toad species in California. The study suggests that wind-borne agrochemicals may be a contributing factor to amphibian population declines.
A California study reveals that Spanish-speaking children are disproportionately concentrated in low-income schools, which hinders their upward mobility. This concentration is due to the growing numbers of limited-English Hispanic students, who face institutional barriers and demographic imbalances.
A study of 51 participants found that serving food on an individual plate with varying portion sizes led to less eating than when participants served themselves. The authors suggest developing strategies to limit portion sizes in restaurants and at home to combat the national obesity epidemic.
Research found that children from low socioeconomic backgrounds experienced poorer cardiovascular health and higher rates of adult periodontal disease in adulthood. Upward mobility during childhood did not reverse negative health outcomes associated with a poor environment.
The brain creates a weighted average of conflicting sensory cues to produce a single mental image. When discrepancies are too large, the brain defaults to information from a single cue, maintaining three separate representations of an object's property.
A study in Hong Kong found that reducing sulphur emissions led to a 2% decline in all-cause deaths and a 5% decrease in respiratory disease-related deaths. The policy change also resulted in increased life expectancy, with women experiencing a 20-day lifetime increase and men experiencing a 40-day increase.
A UCSF study of 239 men who have sex with men found no cases of HIV transmission through receptive oral sex. The study contradicts previous case reports and confirms the probability of zero transmission for this activity.
Research suggests hatchery steelhead do not harm wild steelhead, but may jeopardize wild chinook survival rates. Studies reveal a strong negative association between hatchery steelhead and wild chinook smolt-to-adult survival.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that high iron stores in women of reproductive age may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The research analyzed serum ferritin concentrations and their impact on cardiovascular risk factors, revealing a significant association between iron levels and...
Research by Michael Gundale found that non-native earthworms can endager rare plants like the goblin fern, which relies on fungi for energy. The study discovered a link between earthworm presence and thinner forest floors, threatening the long-term survival of these unique plant species.
Domesticated dogs originated in East Asia before spreading across Asia, Europe, and into the New World around 12,000-14,000 years ago. Genetic analysis reveals that Eurasian wolves were the likely ancestors of modern dogs, with breeding over the last 500 years responsible for size and shape differences.
Graham Dukes argues that the pharmaceutical industry prioritizes shareholder interests over global public health. He criticizes the industry's practices, including excessive pricing and promotional activities, which do not account for societal needs.
In the 48-week SOLO trial, patients taking GW433908/r QD achieved undetectable viral load in 68%, compared to 65% of those taking nelfinavir BID. The study also showed improved efficacy in patients with high or low CD4 counts at baseline.
A randomized controlled trial found that coffee consumption, especially brewed coffee, elevates plasma homocysteine levels by 11% compared to caffeine alone. This increase is associated with higher risk factors for coronary heart disease in heavy coffee drinkers.
According to a study by Maria Krysan, white residents often blame African Americans for problems in poor urban neighborhoods, despite stable black middle-class areas existing. Whites are more likely to move due to concerns about crime and property values than education level or personal comfort.
A Norwegian study demonstrates that COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) can be effective in preventing oral cancer by targeting high-risk individuals. The study's results suggest that coxibs may be a promising approach to chemoprevention, particularly for head and neck cancer patients.
Research suggests that honey's antibacterial properties can inhibit a range of strains, including MRSA, VSE, and VRE. This study indicates a possible role for honey in the treatment of wounds colonised by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
A new study reveals that nearly three-quarters of spinal cord injury patients want to exercise but only half actually do. The study also found that only 47% had been encouraged to exercise by their physicians, with 'lack of motivation' being a major barrier. Researchers aim to address these barriers through education and support programs.
Researchers analyzed genomes of five bacteria to understand how photosynthesis evolved, finding evidence of horizontal gene transfer and the merging of evolutionary lines. The study sheds light on the origins of complex metabolic pathways and may inspire human-directed biodesign.
The new center will be equipped with a high-field MRI/MR spectroscopy system, allowing for early detection and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease. The center will also conduct research on newest drug treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.
A groundbreaking study by Dr. Jorge Bezerra at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has identified a genetic underpinning to biliary atresia, the most common reason for liver transplant in children. The discovery points to a potential role of cytokines in driving an inflammatory response against the body's own tissues.
Researchers used radium isotopes to measure seasonal changes in groundwater supply, finding highest input in summer and lowest in winter. This study provides valuable data on groundwater supply, crucial for addressing increasing water demands.