Scientists discover mercury released into polar environments when sun rises, entering snowpack and potentially affecting food webs. The 'mercury sunrise' phenomenon contributes to increasing mercury levels in Arctic seabirds and marine mammals.
Two Johns Hopkins studies confirm the value of treadmill exercise tests in diagnosing heart disease before symptoms appear. Women with abnormal or inconclusive test results are up to 2.6 times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease, while men with similar test results are twice as likely to die from heart disease.
Researchers at Virginia Tech will develop plant-expressed antigens and adjuvants to create affordable, effective vaccines. The goal is to produce inexpensive, disease-fighting vaccines through plant-based delivery systems.
Researchers create model that accurately reproduces natural evolution and predicts how bacteria will become resistant to antibiotics. The model shows promise as a possible tool for creating new drugs that can evade bacterial adaptation.
A new study reveals that river traffic emits substantial nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter, and sulfur oxides pollution, rivaling that of highways. The research, led by James J. Corbett, finds boat and ship emissions contribute significantly to regional air quality, particularly in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Researchers found men had a higher incidence of bacterial pneumonia, with complex cases and higher mortality rates compared to women. The burden of CAP is expected to increase substantially as the elderly population grows, with projected 750,000 cases in 2010 and 1 million by 2020.
A recent large-scale study found a strong association between infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and risk of vaginal cancer. Women with vaginal cancer were more likely to have been exposed to HPV-16, which causes genital warts.
A new blood test, Triage BNP Test, has been shown to accurately diagnose congestive heart failure (CHF) with a high accuracy rate of nearly 90% in a multinational trial. The test detects elevated levels of the hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which signals a failing heart.
Researchers at Cornell University have created a flexible ceramic material with a cubic bicontinuous structure, which conforms to century-old mathematical predictions. The material has properties that are not just the sum of polymers and ceramic, but something new, offering promise for efficient battery electrolytes and fuel cells.
Researchers discovered that COX-2 inhibition can prevent Barrett's esophageal cell proliferation and that p16 mutations may impair melanocyte senescence. Additionally, a common polymorphism in the GH1 gene may be associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer.
A review of eight randomized studies on biomarkers and health behavior change found that providing quantitative information about harm exposure and disease risk increased motivation for healthy behaviors. However, lasting change may require appropriate treatment.
Men treated with ADT experienced increased complications, including impotence (80%), breast swelling, and hot flashes. Despite this, many reported feeling free of cancer after treatment.
The University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing has launched a five-year AIDS prevention project in Malawi, training health workers to become leaders in combating the pandemic. The project aims to educate hospital staff, nurses, and medical officers on HIV transmission and safe-sex practices, as well as mobilizing community peer ...
Researchers at Duke University found significant racial disparities in heart disease symptoms and functional status among African-American patients. They reported higher levels of chest pain and poorer quality of life compared to white patients, despite receiving similar procedures.
A new Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center study found that thickening of the heart can develop as early as adolescence in women, with obesity being the main factor. The study also discovered significant racial disparities in left ventricular hypertrophy prevalence among young African American and Caucasian women.
A study by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Asthma Clinical Research Network found that low to medium doses of inhaled steroids improve lung function in most asthma patients. However, high doses may not provide additional benefits but increase the risk of adverse effects.
A study found that hormone therapy slows atherosclerosis progression in monkeys with healthy blood vessels. Estrogen was most effective when given at an early stage, suggesting it may be less beneficial for women with advanced arterial disease.
A four-year study found that implantable cardioverter defibrillators reduce death rates by 31% in patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. The devices detect irregular heartbeats and deliver electrical shocks to restore normal function.
Researchers found that elderly patients are less likely to undergo invasive procedures such as bypass surgery and angioplasty after age 75. Despite a decline in procedure use among older adults, many elderly patients remain willing to consider these treatments when recommended by their physicians.
Recent URI study reveals two oceanic provinces of deeply buried microbial activity, with high activity found along continental margins where methane and sulfate intersect. Microbial respiration rates differ vastly between open-ocean and continental margin environments.
A new study found that moderate to high calcium intake can lower the risk of distal colon cancer by 40-50% in women and men. However, excessive calcium consumption did not provide further benefits. Calcium may be the key component reducing colon cancer risk.
An international team conducted genetic tests of bacteria thriving in Antarctica's Dry Valleys, a frigid desert with no recent rainfall. The research aimed to understand how these microbes survive and shed light on the possibility of life on other planets.
Research finds that exposure to movie stars smoking increases positive attitudes toward smoking among adolescent never-smokers. High exposure is linked to a greater intent to start smoking and lower resistance to peer offers.
A study of 145 heart patients found that 74% used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy, with 60% using supplements or mind-body techniques. Many patients took prescription medications and CAM substances together, posing a risk of bleeding problems, including gastrointestinal bleeding or surgical complications.
A Stanford scientist is conducting a groundbreaking study to determine the long-term effects of hypergravity on humans. Participants will spend nine weeks in a NASA centrifuge rotating at increasingly faster speeds, simulating conditions found during space shuttle takeoff and landing.