A study found that Finnish men with high mercury levels in their hair had a 60% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a 70% increased risk of coronary heart disease. The study suggests that avoiding regular consumption of old, large predatory fish is key to reducing the risk.
A recent Tufts University study explores the role of skin tone in perceptions of Black Americans, revealing that both blacks and whites associate positive traits with light-skinned individuals and negative traits with dark-skinned individuals. The research sheds new light on a lingering aspect of racial inequality.
Researchers found a 16% increased risk of death for blacks compared to whites with comparable treatment, which narrowed to 7% after adjusting for other causes. The disparity was eliminated in most cancers, except for breast and two rare types.
A groundbreaking study by Stanford University Medical Center has discovered a way to transplant kidneys without lifelong use of immune-suppressing drugs, improving patient quality of life. The innovative approach uses radiation and stem cells to create a hybrid immune system that recognizes the donor organ as 'friend' rather than foe.
The CONTOUR spacecraft is set to launch on July 1, capturing the sharpest pictures yet of a comet's nucleus, mapping rock and ice surfaces, and analyzing surrounding gas and dust. The mission aims to provide detailed data on ancient comets, assessing their diversity and clarifying how comets evolve.
Research suggests that a moderate caloric restriction diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower cancer risk in mice by 60% compared to those with high fat diets. Exercise also showed a modest effect on polyp numbers, but with limited statistical significance.
Research study finds a positive association between obesity and long QTc, as well as an inverse association between physical activity and QTc duration in African American women. The study suggests that otherwise healthy individuals with obesity are at increased risk for acquiring Long QT Syndrome.
Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a preventable condition characterized by decay of primary teeth, affecting underserved and poor communities. UCSF researchers found a significant association between ECC and low cariogenic bacterial levels, lack of dental insurance, and family income.
Research by Dr. Patricia Molina's team found that alcohol intoxication severely impairs the brain's ability to restore normal blood pressure after a small blood loss, leading to delayed recovery and increased risk of infection in trauma patients. This finding has significant implications for treating intoxicated trauma victims.
A study published in JAMA found that restorative home care significantly improves the likelihood of remaining at home, reduces emergency visits, and enhances self-care and mobility among older patients. The model is based on principles adapted from geriatric medicine, nursing, rehabilitation, and goal attainment.
The project aims to develop detection and classification algorithms for multi-modal inverse problems, enabling robots to sense invisible signals and trace them back to their sources.
The study found that a love of problem solving and challenge, as well as support from men and teachers, were key factors in women's career choices. Non-traditional degrees and on-the-job training also played a role in women's access to IT jobs.
A UB study finds that early nutritional modification programs metabolism, predisposing to obesity. High carbohydrate diets led to changes in islet cells, overproduction of insulin, and alterations in the insulin secretory pathway.
A new study examines the relationship between adiponectin levels, body composition, and obesity-related risk factors in children. The research suggests that children from lower socio-economic backgrounds are at high risk of developing type-2 diabetes due to dysregulation of adiponectin secretion.
Women over age 65 who took vitamin D had a significant reduction in heart disease risk compared to those who didn't. The study found that vitamin D supplements reduced the risk of heart disease death by nearly one-third, but further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Richard Setlow, a Brookhaven Lab scientist, is being honored for his discovery of nucleotide excision repair and its application to understanding genetic diseases and cancer. His work has led to significant advancements in the field of environmental mutagenesis.
The new Bethesda System aims to improve cervical cancer detection by providing more uniform, evidence-based care. Key changes include a new term for atypical cells at higher risk of precancer and clearer identification of benign cellular changes.
A new study is investigating the use of anabolic drug therapy to stimulate muscle growth and improve strength in women with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The research, led by Dr. Richard Casaburi, aims to develop practical methods to reverse muscle dysfunction and improve quality of life.
A study by Brown University economist Robert Sauer found that parental cash transfers significantly increased lifetime consumption for students who used the money to offset debt or induced them to work instead of borrowing. This resulted in lower debt burdens and higher in-school consumption levels.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that nearly two-thirds of low-income women in Baltimore can predict an episode of violence and over 70% do not seek help. The researchers suggest a greater need for identification and provision of appropriate services, including education and job training.
Researchers found that chokeberry extract can protect coronary arteries from oxidant injury, while bilberry extract provides partial protection. The study suggests that individual components in berries may be responsible for their vascular effects.
Researchers found that a unique blood plasma volume expander can resuscitate rats after severe hemorrhage and apnea, with some surviving up to 7 days without blood transfusions. Hyperbaric oxygen appears to confer advantages in resuscitation and maintenance of circulation.
A green tea extract has been shown to prevent primary graft failure after transplantation of fatty livers, increasing survival rates to 75%. This study confirms the association between increased free radical formation and graft failure, suggesting a potential therapy to prevent failure of previously rejected livers.
Researchers used yeast to study genetic variation and trait inheritance at a molecular level, identifying 1,500 genes with complex patterns of inheritance. The study provides a roadmap for understanding genetic complexity in higher organisms, including humans.
Researchers used satellite imagery to study the effects of an iceberg on a marine ecosystem in Antarctica. The study found that extensive ice cover reduced phytoplankton production by 40% and affected the entire food chain from krill to fish, seals, whales, penguins, and other species.
A recent study found that bainiku-ekisu inhibits AngII-induced EGF receptor transactivation and ERK activation in vascular smooth muscle cells, suggesting its potential as a new therapeutic agent for cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and atherosclerosis.
The American Physiological Society has awarded 44 minority travel fellowships to graduate students, postdoctoral students, and advanced undergraduate students from underrepresented groups. The fellowships provide opportunities for mentors to guide attendees, introduce them to other scientists, and offer career advice.
A Brazilian study found that anticonvulsant therapy can lead to cognitive disabilities in epileptic children, affecting their ability to recall information. The research suggests a need for cooperation between physicians and educators to develop strategies to mitigate these effects.
Researchers found that diabetes causes a phase shift in the heart's circadian clock, leading to changes in gene expression and potentially disrupting the synchronization between stimulus and response. This alteration may contribute to contractile dysfunction and increased risk of heart failure in patients with diabetes.
A recent genome study by Penn State researchers overturns a popular hypothesis on species relationships between humans, fruit flies, and nematode worms. The classic Coelomata hypothesis was based on the comparison of structural similarities among these species, but the new findings support this long-standing theory.
A recent study found significant dietary deficiencies in African American females with low incomes, particularly in folate, iron, calcium, and vitamin D. The study also highlighted excessive energy intake and high levels of saturated fats. To address these concerns, nutrition education is essential to promote healthier eating habits.
Researchers found that fibromyalgia patients exhibit a blunted response to exercise-induced sympathetic nervous activity, indicating normal muscle physiology. The study also revealed no increased pain or fatigue in the post-exercise period, challenging previous assumptions about the role of physical effort in exacerbating symptoms.
Researchers at Princeton University have pinpointed what appears to be a central cause of lupus, an autoimmune disease that affects 1.4 million Americans. The discovery highlights a specific mechanism in B cells that produces disease-fighting antibodies, which can mistakenly attack the body's own DNA.
Researchers found that diets rich in soy protein and flaxseed can decrease total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels in obese rats. Flaxseed also showed a greater effect on various parameters than soybean, suggesting potential benefits for humans.
Researchers found significant loss of sympathetic nerve endings in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), even those without orthostatic hypotension. The study suggests that PD is caused by widespread sympathetic nerve damage, unrelated to treatment with levodopa.
Researchers discovered significantly higher plasma ANP and proANP-(1-30) levels in women with primary ovarian cancer compared to healthy controls. The study suggests that these peptides may play a role in the development of malignant ascites associated with ovarian cancer.
An ice coring team led by Ohio State University's Lonnie Thompson aims to drill through Alaska's glaciers to retrieve ancient weather records. The expedition hopes to determine if recent climate change is part of a natural cycle or caused by human activity, with potential implications for global warming.
The study found that lower levels of cigarette smoke exposure decrease NaPi-IIb cotransporter gene and protein expression, while higher smoke exposure increases its expression. This suggests a compensatory mechanism for surfactant production in smokers.
A national clinical trial is comparing two treatments for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), aiming to improve survival rates and outcomes. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of laser photocoagulation and amnioreduction in reducing health complications and premature birth.
Researchers used a new type of pedometer that measures body motion to estimate total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) in sailors. The study found that the pedometer technology provided accurate results, with a 95% confidence interval of +193 kcal/day.
A Purdue University method estimates how much UV-B radiation people receive under different amounts of tree cover, affecting land use and skin cancer risk. The model suggests that even partial shade provides significant protection against skin cancer, with 90% tree-canopy coverage offering the equivalent of SPF 10 sunblock.
Researchers believe olfactory ensheathing cells from the nose hold potential to repair spinal cord injuries. These cells can be obtained from adult donors and offer a possible auto-transplantation method, resolving tissue availability issues.
Researchers have identified ten new genes associated with salt sensitivity and hypertension in rats, which may help develop a treatment regimen for hypertensive patients. The study used DNA microarrays and a global gene screening tool to analyze the genetics of salt-sensitive hypertension.
Six studies presented at the 2002 Experimental Biology conference support almonds' role in lowering 'bad' cholesterol and protecting against cell damage. Eating a handful of almonds daily may significantly reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels, and even lower risk of heart disease by up to 10%.
Researchers have identified the first genetic loci associated with aerobic capacity in rats, revealing a complex relationship between inherited traits and exercise. The study used a genome scan to find quantitative trait loci (QTLs) linked to aerobic running capacity and found significant associations on chromosomes RNO16 and RNO8.
A study found that young African American males without hypertension have arteries with reduced capacity to expand, indicating a potential risk factor for the disease. The research also revealed decreased baroreflex sensitivity and sympathovagal balance, suggesting an increased likelihood of developing hypertension in the future.
Researchers found Tibetans retain no deterioration in physiological processes when exposed to acute hypoxia, unlike lowlanders. This discovery could lead to novel treatments for hypoxic injury and prevention of mountain sickness.
A new study found that sedentary men with higher levels of abdominal visceral fat have lower cardiovagal baroreflex gain, increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease. The study suggests that weight loss may improve cardiovagal baroreflex gain and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Large icebergs from Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf are dramatically affecting the growth of minute plant life in the ocean, with a 40% reduction in phytoplankton blooms observed. The icebergs block normal drift of pack ice, reducing open water and altering the marine ecosystem.
Researchers discovered that heparin inhibits the adhesion of sickle red blood cells to P-selectin on blood vessel walls, preventing blockages and organ damage. The study suggests that oral heparin preparations may provide a convenient and safe treatment option for patients with sickle cell disease.
The National Research Council's Committee on the Physics of the Universe recommends a national underground science laboratory at Homestake Gold Mine in South Dakota. The facility will enable US scientists to conduct experiments in physics, geology, cosmology, and ecology, among other disciplines.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a mathematical method to predict the coming year's flu strain based on previous years' genetic sequences. The approach identified clusters of genetically similar viruses that tend to dominate in each season, with an accuracy rate comparable to existing methods.
A study of 101 newborns found that 40% tested positive for drugs, with cocaine and heroin being the most common. The researchers argue for more funding on rapid-screening technology and better educational outreach to prevent drug exposure during pregnancy.
A new study found that walking at moderate pace for 40 minutes a day can restore elasticity of carotid artery in postmenopausal women by 48%. This benefit may explain the positive impact of regular aerobic exercise on cardiovascular health.
Researchers conducted a case-control study of 90 acoustic neuroma patients, but found no association with cellular telephone use. A slightly elevated risk was observed for infrequent users with 3+ years of cell phone use.
Researchers found that high protein diets led to decreased hydration levels and abnormal kidney function tests. The study suggests that athletes and non-athletes alike should increase fluid intake when consuming high protein diets.
Lonnie G. Thompson, a leading researcher in ice core analysis, will receive the $150,000 Heineken award for his pioneering work on climate change. His research has provided critical insights into the effects of human activity on the Earth's climate.
Researchers found that chili peppers suppress sweetness, bitterness, and umami flavors, while leaving saltiness and sourness unaffected. Adding chili could be used to balance bitter flavors in foods.
A new study reveals that patients with gluten sensitivity may experience neurological dysfunction without gastrointestinal symptoms. The research found antibodies against Purkinje cells and cross-reacting antibodies against gluten, suggesting a potential link between gluten consumption and brain damage.
Research reveals women fatigue less than men under aerobic conditions, but equally when deprived of oxygen. Efficient utilization of aerobic pathways results in reduced by-product production, leading to decreased muscle fatigue. Further study is needed to explain the mechanism behind this difference.