In a Phase II clinical trial, VELCADE (bortezomib) produced partial responses in 32% of patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma. The overall response rate was 35%, with some patients continuing to show positive responses nearly a year after treatment.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School found that the West Nile virus capsid protein can cause inflammation and apoptosis in cells, leading to encephalitic inflammation. The study suggests that blocking the protein's pathogenicity may help slow down the virus.
The study found that conventional diesel buses produce nitrogen oxide pollutants contributing to photochemical smog and fine soot particles. Laser sensors measured pollutant levels in exhaust plumes from different bus types, revealing varying pollution problems.
A team of US researchers study Polish forest plots with 14 different temperate tree species to understand biodiversity and ecosystem structure. They investigate how tree species influence the environment, soil acidity, and decomposition.
New research from University of Minnesota presents promising findings on unrelated donor transplants, including a study showing improved survival rates and quality of life for leukemia/lymphoma patients. Another study explores the use of bone marrow-derived stem cells to treat Parkinson's disease.
Researchers found that climate change may weaken average El Niño events due to a decline in ocean-atmosphere coupling. However, individual El Niños could still be intense, even in a warmer world. The study simulated past and future behavior of El Niño using the NCAR Climate System Model.
A UMass scientist has identified a gene, Nhlh2, that regulates body weight, physical activity levels, and sex behaviors in mice. The knockout mice are severely obese and exhibit reduced physical activity, illustrating the critical role of the gene in regulating appetite and exercise.
A Phase II study of CC-5013, a thalidomide-like compound, has shown significant anti-myeloma activity with measurable responses in about 50 percent of evaluable patients. The drug has been well tolerated, with evidence that the daily dosing regimen has fewer side effects than the twice daily schedule.
Regular family routines and rituals are associated with improved marital satisfaction, adolescents' sense of personal identity, children's health, academic achievement, and stronger family relationships. Family mealtimes, in particular, can foster better parenting, healthier children, and improved academic performance.
Researchers developed a technique that uses acoustic energy to kill bacteria on medical instruments, reducing the need for heat and chemicals. The method achieved a 90% kill rate using a combination of pressure and isopropyl alcohol, with potential benefits for minimizing infection risk and reducing equipment downtime.
Scientists have identified small non-messenger RNA molecules, known as smnRNA, in genes associated with behavioral disorders. These findings suggest a new class of gene activity and regulation, potentially linked to conditions like Prader-Willi syndrome.
Researchers have found that administering n-acetyl cysteine can reverse changes in brain chemistry associated with cocaine craving. The study suggests a novel target for cocaine's action: the cysteine-glutamate antiporter, which pumps glutamate out of neurons.
A recent study found that individuals with two linked genetic variations are more likely to experience anxiety after consuming caffeine. The researchers validated a methodology that can identify individual differences in how people respond to major drugs, paving the way for future studies on other substances.
Researchers found a genetic 'signature' in some solid tumors that predicts their tendency to spread. This signature is present in early stages of cancer and can be detected at diagnosis, supporting the idea that primary tumors are pre-configured to metastasize.
Hydrologist Robert Lenhard has refined current constitutive theory to predict residual NAPL distribution in subsurface, resolving a critical contamination modeling problem. His new model predicts pulse-like contamination generation during heavy rainstorms and flooding, influencing environmental remediation choices.
Researchers have discovered that coral layers in the Atlantic Ocean hold a key to understanding the region's climate dynamics. By analyzing calcium carbonate skeletons, Dr. Lisa Greer and her team found a periodic pattern of oxygen isotope composition with peaks every 12-15 years, mirroring sea surface temperature data.
Dr. Richard B. Alley, a leading expert on abrupt climate change, cautions that current models may underestimate the severity of future climate changes. He suggests policymakers should plan for contingencies to address resource scarcity and conflicts.
Researchers have developed thin layer silicon with improved lattice vibrational frequency, leading to a 30% increase in thermal conductivity. This breakthrough enables faster charging and more efficient heat conduction in digital semiconductor devices.
Methane-based greenhouse and anti-greenhouse events contributed to the Archean climate's stability. The presence of methanogenic bacteria played a crucial role in these processes.
The KamLAND experiment has confirmed the existence of neutrino oscillation and mass, supporting a long-held case. By studying anti-neutrinos from nuclear reactors, researchers found evidence of the same neutrino deficit as solar neutrino experiments, suggesting that neutrino masses are nonzero.
A study of Puerto Rican men found that small amounts of physical activity significantly protected against mortality, while moderate or intense exercise provided little additional benefit. Physical inactivity was a stronger predictor of death than being overweight or obese.
Researchers at NYU's Courant Institute found that flexible structures exhibit a unique drag reduction phenomenon, where the drag force decreases with the velocity of the flow. The team discovered that this occurs due to the shape of the fiber's 'nose' and its self-similarity under different velocities.
Researchers have solved the three-dimensional structure of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor's extracellular domain, which may help develop treatments for familial hypercholesterolemia. The LDL receptor plays a crucial role in clearing LDL from the blood and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
Phytoplankton, especially diatoms with silicon, play a crucial role in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, warmer ocean temperatures hinder this process, creating a global warming Catch-22.
A URI biologist will monitor salt marshes in national parks for long-term ecosystem changes, enabling resource managers to anticipate detrimental changes and design management strategies. The study sites were selected based on aerial photography, field visits, and interviews with park staff.
Research reveals that women caregivers face significant pension disadvantages, with fewer years of contributions compared to men. The study advocates for policy changes, including extended parental leave and improved pensions, to address these disparities.
Researchers studied the health and economic implications of screening and treating new immigrants from developing nations for latent tuberculosis infection. They found that implementing this practice could avoid up to nine thousand future active tuberculosis cases and save $60 to $90 million per year in healthcare costs.
The new mouse genome sequence comparison offers a consensus view of the mouse genome, helping researchers understand human genes and their role in diseases. The study's findings have significant implications for improving diagnostic tests and treatments for human diseases.
Experts emphasize that clinicians can improve quality of life for Alzheimer's patients by following guidelines and utilizing available resources. The number of people with Alzheimer's is expected to swell from 4 million in 2002 to 14 million by 2050, highlighting the need for effective care options.
Research suggests that sunlight influences brain serotonin activity, which is linked to seasonal mood changes and depression. The study's findings provide insight into the role of environmental factors in regulating mood disorders.
A study by Emory University scientists identified the MAP kinase signaling pathway as a key player in early melanoma development. The researchers found that this pathway is abnormally activated in early melanomas, but not in precancerous moles. This finding has implications for diagnosis and treatment of melanoma.
Researchers challenge the long-held idea of a warm, wet Mars with evidence from large asteroid and comet impacts. These events created short-lived but intense periods of rain and flooding on the planet's surface, leading to the formation of rivers and valleys.
The Salk Institute and SUGEN scientists have created a detailed catalog of the 518 protein kinase genes encoded by the human genome. This comprehensive mapping will enable the development of new drugs targeting kinases, offering an alternative to standard chemotherapy for specific types of cancer.
Scripps Institution researchers have developed a new approach for designing marine reserves in the Gulf of California, using optimization algorithms and ecological data. The study, published in Science, provides a mapped series of reserves that meet conservation goals while minimizing societal conflicts with fishing interests.
Researchers at Wake Forest have identified a gene responsible for two rare kidney diseases, familial juvenile hyperuricemic nephropathy and medullary cystic kidney disease Type 2. The discovery may lead to early detection and improved treatment options for affected individuals.
Researchers found evidence of the earliest form of writing in the New World on a cylindrical seal and greenstone plaque fragments. The discoveries date back to the Olmec era, a pre-Mayan civilization, and challenge previous notions about the earliest written communication in Mesoamerica.
Researchers at Stanford University conducted a three-year experiment, raising questions about the impact of elevated CO2 on plant growth. The study found that CO2 suppression was most pronounced when combined with other climate change factors like temperature, precipitation, and nitrogen deposition.
Switching to liquefied petroleum gas for household use could add only a 2% increase in global fossil fuel emissions but greatly decrease the environmental impact on local biomass resources. Liquefied petroleum gas burns cleaner than biomass fuels, reducing indoor smoke and associated health risks.
Researchers at USC's ISI Polymorphic Robotics Laboratory have developed modular robot units programmed with
Researchers will enroll up to 2,000 children with differing patterns of development to compare environmental exposures and physiologic factors. The study aims to gain a better understanding of the multiple ways autism and other developmental delays may occur.
A new study found that videotaping a message about healthy eating can increase fruit and vegetable consumption in African American teenagers. The intervention combined behavioral skills learning with motivational techniques, leading to significant improvements in dietary habits.
A joint campaign between The Lancet and the Rockefeller Foundation aims to highlight critical issues in WHO's Director-General election, including a pressing need for leadership, funding reform, and prioritizing global health equity. The campaign seeks responses from candidates on key questions and calls for public scrutiny and debate.
A recent Emory University study reveals that the majority of baby-boomers fall short of good health, with 62.2% categorized as 'incompletely healthy'. The research emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to adopt a more holistic approach, focusing on disease prevention and health promotion rather than just treating illness.
Scientists use lab mice to identify genetic basis of cholesterol absorption, aiming to develop new treatments for heart disease. They pinpoint two chromosome regions as potential sites for genes regulating plant sterol levels, which reflect dietary cholesterol absorption.
Researchers found that dissolved organic matter protects most amphibian embryos from harmful levels of UV-B radiation in natural habitats. The studies suggest that the causes of amphibian population declines may be specific to each region and require a more nuanced approach.
A randomized trial found that a single dose of 1.5 mg levonorgestrel is as effective as traditional regimens for emergency contraception, with no significant differences in pregnancy rates or side-effects. The new regimen simplifies use and reduces side effects, allowing women to begin regular contraception sooner.
Researchers use tree ring analysis to estimate salmon returns, following historical catch records. The study provides insights into the relationship between tree-ring growth and salmon populations, paving the way for more accurate reconstructions.
The study found that controlling heart rate provides no benefit over controlling the heart's irregular rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation. This approach may also be less expensive due to lower hospitalization rates and costs.
Researchers from Purdue's schools of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine and IU School of Medicine will collaborate to study human diseases using animal models, improving understanding of muscle wasting, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. The $4.5M program aims to develop new treatments for devastating childhood diseases.
Scientists have identified specific genes on chromosome 21 that contribute to Down syndrome, a condition affecting one in 800 live births. The discovery provides a roadmap for understanding the genetic causes of the disorder and potentially developing new therapies.
The Automatic Linguistic Indexing of Pictures (ALIP) system uses a pictorial dictionary to associate images with keywords, allowing for more accurate image annotation and search. The system has demonstrated great potential for use in biomedicine, digital libraries, and other fields.
Researchers at UCSD estimate that many evolutionary genome rearrangements accounted for differences between human and mouse genomes. The study found over 245 major and 3,170 micro-rearrangements, revealing significant evolutionary distance between the two species.
Lymphatic filariasis is a leading cause of permanent and long-term disability, resulting in physical suffering and psychosocial problems. Continued research is essential to measuring LF elimination efforts and making adjustments as the program moves into new challenges.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital have successfully treated chronic tendon problems like tennis elbow with ultrasound-guided needle therapy. The procedure involves injecting corticosteroids, smoothing out bone and tissue, and eliminating calcifications to promote healing.
Paul Dayton, a renowned marine ecologist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, has received the Diving Lifetime Achievement Award for his groundbreaking research on coastal and estuarine habitats. His work, including over 500 dives in Antarctica, has significantly advanced our understanding of Antarctic undersea ecology.
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University found a dramatic reduction in mosquito transmission, new infections, and severe disease manifestations with four annual mass treatments. The study provides essential guidelines for controlling the infectious disease and points to the ultimate eradication of filariasis on a global level.
Researchers found that switching from traditional cannulation in the aorta to the axillary artery significantly reduced the risk of stroke and brain damage during bypass surgery. This innovative approach deflected debris away from the brain, markedly limiting postoperative neurological complications.
Researchers suggest that life emerged from chemical reactions in deep ocean environments, challenging traditional views of cell evolution. The theory proposes that inorganic iron sulphide cells were the first to form and eventually gave rise to living cells.
A team of researchers at Penn State has developed a compact chiller that uses sound waves to cool ice cream, achieving temperatures below freezing point with minimal energy consumption. The innovative system, powered by high-amplitude sound energy, has the potential to revolutionize the way we produce and consume refrigerated foods.
A partnership between Navy and National Severe Storms Laboratory aims to improve weather forecasting by integrating SPY-1 radar with existing Doppler technology. The new phased array radar can provide faster updates of weather features, allowing for more detailed scans and increased lead time before tornadoes strike.