A new study found that DEET-based insect repellents were significantly more effective than plant-based alternatives in preventing mosquito bites. The study tested 16 representative products and found that DEET-based products provided the longest-lasting protection, with some lasting up to five hours.
Researchers at UCSD create hybrid composite alloy material combining shape-memory nickel-titanium with super-elastic foams and glass beads for enhanced flexibility and resilience. The new material absorbs high-velocity impacts, potentially stopping cracks and collateral damage.
Researchers at Stanford University Medical Center have developed a gene-therapy technique that can switch off genes in mice using RNA inhibition. The method has shown promising results in reducing light production from a firefly gene, suggesting its potential use in treating diseases such as cancer and hepatitis C by deactivating virus...
A Cardiff-based team investigates the impact of genetic testing on insurance costs and behavior in the UK. They gather data on families affected by inherited diseases to determine the potential for adverse selection and its effect on insurance claims and premiums.
Muscle stem cells have shown potential in treating muscular dystrophy by differentiating into other cell types and resisting rejection, overcoming major obstacles such as low survival rates and immune system rejection. The study's findings could lead to more effective treatments for MD and other muscle-related diseases.
Researchers have developed a cancer vaccine that targets telomerase, a protein responsible for cancer cells' unlimited division. The vaccine has shown promise in encouraging an immune response in patients with pancreatic cancer, leading to longer survival rates.
The new high-resolution breast-specific gamma camera has been shown to detect more breast cancers than standard gamma cameras, with a sensitivity increase of 20% in lesions <1cm. The study used 50 women with 58 lesions and found that the new scanner detected 3 additional lesions not visible on mammography.
The CONTOUR spacecraft, launched from Cape Canaveral, will provide the closest look yet at a comet's nucleus. It will orbit Earth until August 15 before firing its main engine and entering a comet-chasing orbit around the sun.
HPV vaccination has shown high safety and efficacy, inducing high antibody titers against papillomaviruses. Hepatitis B vaccination is also highly effective in preventing chronic infection, with a 95% effectiveness rate in children.
The National Science Foundation is launching four new institutes to bolster mathematical research and education. The institutes will focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and data-driven scientific challenges, with an emphasis on underrepresented groups.
Researchers discovered that an inactivated chickenpox vaccine may prevent healthy elderly people from developing shingles and protect transplant recipients against viruses and bacteria. The vaccine boosted memory T cells to mount an attack during the transplant and recovery, reducing shingle risk.
Researchers found significant effects of air pollution on children's lung function growth rates, with acid vapor showing the most consistent effect. A separate study found no association between antibiotic use in early life and asthma development at age 5.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that even small degrees of malalignment in knee surgery patients can cause dramatic alterations in pressures within the joint. Proper alignment is crucial for preventing future development of severe arthritis.
The University of Colorado at Boulder has been selected by NASA to build two instruments for a satellite that will probe polar mesospheric clouds. The $92 million mission, Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM), aims to study these clouds and their role in the Earth's atmosphere.
A new needle-free device called J-Tip has been successfully used to administer hormones to women undergoing IVF treatment. The device enabled the retrieval of eggs from 16 out of 20 women, resulting in four pregnancies. Patient acceptance was high, with diaries indicating a clear preference for the needle-free approach.
Research suggests African HIV subtypes exhibit higher fitness in protease inhibitors due to natural mutations, leading to faster therapy failure. The findings support broader focus on HIV drug development beyond the B subtype.
A US team found that most healthy couples conceive within two years, and fertility in women declines as early as the late 20s. The study suggests delaying assisted reproductive techniques until a couple has failed to conceive naturally for 18-24 months.
The ACP-ASIM published 'Osteoporosis' guide provides the latest scientific evidence on osteoporosis and essential information on its origins and progress. It addresses every facet of osteoporosis, a common disease that can be identified through non-invasive tests and treated with new effective drugs to reduce fractures.
Researchers found that women who survived childhood leukemia had smaller ovaries with fewer follicles, but their ovaries appeared to function normally. The study suggests that female childhood cancer survivors with an apparently normal menstrual cycle might have a shortened reproductive span.