Researchers have developed a new x-ray technique called diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI) that can image cartilage and detect early stages of osteoarthritis. This technology has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of the disease, which affects over half of the nation's elderly.
Researchers found that thrombocytosis correlates with more aggressive ovarian cancer and poorer response to treatment. Patients with thrombocytosis had higher CA-125 levels, advanced stage disease, and greater tendency of cancer spread.
A study by Duke University researchers found that poor patients are more than twice as likely to die of severe heart disease compared to those with higher incomes. After adjusting for differences in treatment, poverty remained associated with a worse outcome, suggesting that post-hospital factors such as smoking and non-adherence to me...
A commonly prescribed medication for treating endometriosis appears to elevate the risk of ovarian cancer, according to a new study. Women taking danazol were nearly three times more likely to develop ovarian cancer than those taking leuprolide, an anti-androgenic medication.
A recent study found that nearly 11% of participants with internet gambling experience were classified as problem or pathological gamblers, compared to only 22% without internet gambling. Internet gamblers tended to be younger, unmarried, and have lower education and income levels than non-internet gamblers.
Researchers previously thought mature nerve cells couldn't regenerate after damage. However, a new study reveals that altering naturally occurring compounds can restore regenerative ability in mature cells. The study's findings offer hope for developing new treatments for optic and spinal cord disorders.
Research suggests that older eyewitnesses are more prone to making false identifications, especially those aged over 69. This is particularly concerning for age groups used in identification parades, calling into question the effectiveness of mug-shots in identifying potential criminals.
A Penn State study found that disasters like Hurricane Hugo increase marriages, births, and divorces in affected areas. The study analyzed marriage, birth, and divorce records in South Carolina before and after the hurricane, finding a significant increase in all three life changes in disaster-affected counties.
A new study reveals that rats with chronic pain from inflammation were more tolerant of painful heat stimuli and had less swelling when fed a diet based on soy protein. The findings suggest that a soy diet may reduce the need for opioid medications, which are often associated with severe side effects.
The institute will revamp the system for collecting generation reports, prepare white papers on wind energy potential and problems, and establish a program to map out California's wind resources. Data on wind resources is over 20 years old, highlighting the need for better forecasting.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis have discovered how antifreeze glycoproteins interact with ice, preventing ice crystals from growing and preserving liquid water around the protein. This discovery may lead to safer storage for food or blood products and help scientists understand biomineralization.
A University of Michigan study found that adolescent girls who feel confident about their physical abilities enjoy exercise more than those who doubt their skills. The research, led by Nola Pender, suggests that girls' perceptions and responses to exercise are linked to their confidence levels, with more confident girls reporting less ...
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute develop a new drug-discovery strategy using click chemistry to create a potent inhibitor against the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This breakthrough allows the target enzyme to select and catalyze its own synthesis, resulting in a highly effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
A study shows that black teen girls who rarely talked to their parents about sex and STD prevention were less likely to report condom use. Parents can help motivate their daughters to discuss safe sex techniques with partners, according to researchers.
A study of 641 older women with hypertension found that ACE inhibitor users had slower declines in walking speed and muscle strength. The results suggest that these drugs could be used to delay disability in older adults, potentially improving their quality of life.
A UCSF study found that high cholesterol levels are associated with poorer cognitive performance in elderly women. Using statins to lower cholesterol levels was linked to improved cognitive skills, suggesting a potential benefit for preventing Alzheimer's disease.
A new study found that sustained caffeine intake counteracts the benefits of creatine supplementation, reducing muscle relaxation time and fatigue. This means that consuming high amounts of caffeine over a short period can negate the effects of creatine on exercise performance.
A new study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention suggests that dietary habits can significantly reduce colon cancer risk in individuals with a family history of the disease. Eating a diet high in folic acid, low in alcohol intake, and moderate in methionine may help lower this risk.
A study of 224 children found that young children were more likely to acquire H. pylori infection, particularly those from black communities. Early childhood appears to be the critical period for acquiring most infections, and racial differences may impact the risk of developing related health issues.
A new study published in Science supports the idea that Asia was the center of origin for key groups of modern mammals, including primates and hooved mammals. The research allows paleontologists to compare fossil sequences from Asia, Europe, and North America during a dramatic period in Earth's history.
Researchers have identified a key gene that increases the risk for drug abuse, affecting not only alcohol but also nicotine. The 'AA' configuration of the mu-opioid gene was found in nearly 90% of individuals with substance abuse issues.
Researchers have identified 31 novel microRNAs and their associated protein complexes. The discovery reveals a possible link between the pathway of miRNA activity and the progression of spinal muscular atrophy, a common childhood neuromuscular disorder.
The Phoebe R. Berman Bioethics Institute at Johns Hopkins University is establishing a Genetics and Public Policy Center with a $9.9 million grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts. The center will explore policy options for reproductive genetic technologies, including gene selection in humans.
Researchers have successfully established a cell line that functions like adult human mammary stem cells, opening up new avenues for studying breast cancer and tissue regeneration. The discovery was made by Dr. Ole William Petersen and colleagues from the University of Copenhagen and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
A new study found that alcohol and nicotine interact in the brain's dopamine system, suggesting a link between the two addictive behaviors. Rodent studies showed that combining alcohol and nicotine increased dopamine release, while blocking nicotinic effects with mecamylamine reduced alcohol's pleasurable effects.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that ultra-long-distance runners experience a decline in maximal voluntary force capacity due to central fatigue, but also exhibit strengthened twitch mechanical responses and unaltered M-wave characteristics.
Recent research in social informatics reveals that information and communication technologies often have unintended outcomes, such as harming group communications and exacerbating social differences. The studies highlighted the need for frameworks to expose value conflicts embedded in ICT design, but these are not widely practiced.
Researchers have found that innovative soil fertility replenishment programs can increase crop yields by two- to four-fold, providing strong evidence for their effectiveness. The programs use natural resources available in Africa, such as trees and rocks, to replenish nutrients depleted from the soil.
A recent study found that subspecialists working outside their subspecialty cared for 25% of hospitalized patients, resulting in longer lengths of stay and higher mortality rates. Patients seen by these physicians had an average length of stay up to 18% longer than those cared for by general internists.
A Harvard research team studied human running on various surface stiffnesses, finding a 12.5-fold decrease in surface stiffness led to a 12% decrease in metabolic rate and a 29% increase in leg stiffness, with support mechanics remaining unchanged.
Research found that African-American women with ovarian cancer are at a 30% increased risk of death from any cause compared to Caucasian women. The study also revealed significant differences in tumor stage, lymph node involvement, and surgery rates between the two ethnic groups. Median survival times were also shorter for African-Amer...
A Baylor College of Medicine study found that Helicobacter pylori infection is most common among children under 10, with an estimated 24.5% infected by age 18-23. The average age of first infection was 7.5 years, and over 84% of infected children remained infected during adolescence and young adulthood.
A recent study found that heightened depressive symptoms, emotional eating, and low self-esteem can predict binge-eating disorders in teenage girls. The research also revealed that low peer support increases the risk of binge eating, while parental support has no effect on this issue.
A new study suggests that galanin, previously thought to be detrimental to Alzheimer's patients, may actually enhance acetylcholine release from remaining cholinergic basal forebrain neurons. This compensatory role could delay disease progression and inform the development of galanin antagonists as a potential treatment option.
Researchers at North Carolina State University challenge dominant linguistic theories of African-American English, proposing a new model based on African-based Creole language and regional dialects. Their research, conducted in Hyde County and the Appalachian Mountains, reveals similarities between black speech and African influences.
Researchers found that mice lacking the SHIP gene survived allogeneic bone marrow transplants without rejecting the graft or experiencing graft-versus-host disease. The study suggests a novel approach to preventing and treating this life-threatening reaction, potentially increasing the availability of bone marrow donors.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered a common flaw in the dystrophin protein that causes dilated cardiomyopathy, leading to enlarged heart chambers. Using ventricular assist devices can restore the protein's function and improve heart pumping, offering new hope for patients.
New research examines how managed care affects access to alcohol and drug treatment, highlighting the need for clear guidelines and accountability. Studies show that prior authorization requirements can set up barriers to timely treatment and that longer retention rates are associated with more positive outcomes.
A simple immunochromatographic assay detected specific antibodies in the blood of untreated coeliac patients, with high accuracy and speed. The test can be done in a doctor's surgery and is useful for screening patients with untypical symptoms or risk factors for coeliac disease.
The Swedish trials indicate a significant reduction in breast cancer mortality among women given mammography screening, with the greatest benefit seen in age groups 60-69 years. The trials found no significant difference in death from all causes between screening and control groups.
A recent study found that Prozac significantly reduced hot flashes in women with breast cancer, providing a viable treatment option. The medication was compared to placebo and showed a 50% decrease in hot flash frequency and severity.
Researchers have developed a new method called the Walker Diffusion Method (WDM) that accurately models fluid transport in porous materials. This approach uses simple probabilistic rules to calculate the movement of 'random walkers' through the material, revealing the overall physical structure and flow paths.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a simple and effective method to monitor chromium contamination in groundwater. By analyzing the isotopic ratios of hexavalent chromium, they can determine how much reduction has taken place and estimate the long-term reduction rate.
Researchers found that continuous ACE inhibitor users had a lower average decline in muscle strength and walking speed compared to intermittent users of other antihypertensive drugs. The study suggests that ACE inhibitors could be used to slow physical decline in elderly people without congestive heart failure.
A study by physicians at 10 hospitals in the US and Canada found that continuous doxorubicin infusion for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia does not prevent heart damage, contrary to previous assumptions. The treatment resulted in increased hospitalizations and higher medical costs.
Research shows that alcohol consumption can increase cancer risk by impairing DNA repair processes, leading to genetic damage and mutations. Acetaldehyde, a metabolite of alcohol, is identified as the primary culprit in this process.
Researchers successfully determined the subcellular localization of over 2700 yeast proteins using a high-throughput method. By predicting the localization of all 6100 yeast proteins, Dr. Snyder and colleagues provided insight into nearly half of previously uncharacterized yeast proteins.
A new study finds that lifestyle factors, including obesity and stress, significantly predict healthcare costs among young employed adults. Participants with high-risk scores for overall wellness, stress, or obesity used more healthcare services and incurred higher costs.
A portable wastewater treatment unit has been developed to treat wastewater in remote locations, using stainless steel screens and pressure filters with clay beads. The unit can treat 30,000 gallons per day of wastewater, producing partially dried sludge that can be disposed of with regular solid waste.
Glioma cells induce angiogenesis by interacting with host vasculature and sprouting new vessels, defying the cooptation model. Vascular outgrowth occurs as a continuous process of growth and remodeling, starting early in tumor progression.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a microsized microscope that can capture high-resolution images of living cells, shrinking the size and cost of conventional microscopes. The device has the potential to revolutionize medical research and diagnostics, enabling scientists to study genes and proteins in unprecedented detail.
A Mayo Clinic study finds an association between estrogen status and reduced coronary calcium and plaque area, suggesting a potential benefit against heart disease. Estrogen may modulate the calcium content of atherosclerotic plaques, slowing progression of atherosclerosis in women.
A 13-year study found that higher-quality child care benefits children's development, with more education and training among staff also contributing to better outcomes. Poor quality care can have negative effects on children's social and intellectual development.
Researchers argue that policies improving education and equalizing resources can have significant health benefits and cost savings. Experts also suggest a broader approach to addressing socioeconomic disparities in health by considering multiple determinants and promoting cross-cutting policy initiatives.
A University of Toronto researcher discovered that embryonic motor systems are largely intrinsic to central nervous systems, with rhythmic movements developing even when deprived of sensory input. This suggests that these movements are coded in the intrinsic properties of neurons, sufficient to drive coordinated movement.
Research shows working-class children tend to opt for schools based on family background and local community, whereas middle-class families use tactics like home tutoring and strategic applications to secure better schools. The study highlights the emotional costs of current educational policy initiatives, revealing that high aspiratio...
Researchers found that nicotine prolongs the reward period by disabling the system that counterbalances its pleasant effects. This results in an enhanced ability to reinforce smoking behavior, making it challenging for people to quit despite the severe health consequences of tobacco use.
Researchers found bacterial proteins cause autoimmune disorders in APS patients by mimicking endogenous host proteins. High-affinity antibodies against these proteins were pathogenic and induced symptoms similar to APS. The study raises concerns about vaccine risks, particularly the tetanus toxoid protein.
A team of scientists from the University of Rhode Island and several institutions will develop new models to predict the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems. The Partnership for Advancing Interdisciplinary Global Modeling (PARADIGM) aims to create global ocean models that can predict future states of the ocean.
Researchers have captured an unusual sprite-like blue jet over Puerto Rico, exhibiting characteristics of both blue jets and sprites. The event's unique features include a branching conical shape and hot spots, which are similar to those seen in computer models but not fully explained.