A study published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine found that PET imaging was more accurate than conventional imaging in detecting recurrent breast cancer. PET correctly predicted the outcome in 80% of cases vs. 20% for conventional imaging, with a higher sensitivity and specificity.
Research finds that rural areas could benefit from morbidity-based approaches to addressing health inequalities. The study challenges the assumption that higher hospital rates are always a good thing, suggesting instead a need for stronger public health initiatives and more robust monitoring of fair access.
Recent studies suggest that treating river blindness with antibiotics like doxycycline could be effective in reducing the severity of symptoms. The bacteria Wolbachia is found in the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus and is believed to play a major role in the development of the disease.
A five-year study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that women with gum disease are more likely to deliver babies prematurely or at a lower than normal weight. The research suggests that germs from mothers' mouths can target the fetus, increasing the risk of pre-term delivery.
Recent studies confirm presence of SV40 DNA in human lymphoma samples, suggesting possible vaccine-related transmission. The findings have significant implications for understanding cancer development and prevention.
A multidisciplinary program is underway to create computer software for modeling the genes and proteins that underlie cellular behavior. This research aims to understand molecular mechanisms underlying processes like bacterial contamination, jet lag, and wound healing. By developing accurate mathematical representations of these mechan...
Researchers analyzed data from people who received a 60-day antibiotic regimen after exposure to potentially contaminated mail and handling facilities. They found that twice as many people may have contracted inhalational anthrax without receiving the treatment, suggesting the risk is very small.
Researchers successfully combined therapeutic cloning, embryonic stem cell differentiation, and gene therapy to treat a genetic immune disorder in mice. The study demonstrates the potential for nuclear transplantation therapy to correct genetic mutations and restore function in human patients.
Researchers determined the three-dimensional structure of the dengue virus, providing insights into viral infection processes. The discovery may aid in developing antiviral compounds to target flavivirus diseases.
A study of German subjects found periodontal disease bacteria in carotid artery samples, supporting the 'infectious burden' hypothesis that oral infection plays a role in atherogenesis. The study also identified multiple types of bacteria, suggesting a complex relationship between gum disease and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at MGH Structural Biology Program have unraveled the structure of a key protein involved in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. The study reveals that alpha V beta 3 integrin changes its shape when bound to its ligand, allowing it to instruct tumor cells to grow and spread.
Researchers from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine found no relationship between long-term exposure to dental aerosols and respiratory illness among dental students. The study, which analyzed data from over 800 students, suggests that breathing in mists spun off by drills may not cause respiratory problems.
A study published in The Lancet found that simian virus 40 (SV40) was present in 43% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, with lower rates in Hodgkin lymphoma cases. Researchers discovered a potential link between SV40 and human cancer, which could lead to new detection and treatment methods.
Researchers found that asthma does not increase the risk of having a common cold, but individuals with asthma are more likely to develop severe respiratory symptoms when infected. Rhinovirus infection was also linked to longer-lasting and more severe lower-respiratory-tract symptoms in those with asthma.
Researchers visualized the enzyme formate dehydrogenase-N to a resolution of 1.6 angstroms, providing valuable insight into nitrate respiration and the molecular machinery of life. The discovery supports Peter Mitchell's 'chemiosmotic' theory, which describes how cells convert energy into usable form.
The Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group will support clinical trials sites, a statistical center, and operations center with renewed funding. The new agenda emphasizes five key areas: perinatal transmission, pediatric treatment, adolescent treatment, long-term evaluation of antiretroviral therapies, and domestic and international coll...
Scientists have created a 'singlet diradical' that is stable at room temperature, which has the potential to revolutionize the development of new materials for magnets, magneto-optical devices, and electrical components. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of efficient electrical conductors and non-metallic magnets.
A new study shows that a vaccine based on a chimpanzee adenovirus possesses the immunological strengths of a human adenovirus vaccine without its drawbacks. The vaccine, developed by researchers at The Wistar Institute, has been shown to be effective in mice against rabies and other viruses.
Researchers at Stanford University and the University of Durham report a surprising observation in a hydrogen-exchange reaction, where a tiny proportion of H2 molecules is flying off in an unexpected direction. This finding suggests more than one mechanism by which H and D2 come together and react.
A large Norwegian study found that nearly half of people experiencing gastrointestinal complaints, including nausea, also suffer from anxiety disorders. The study suggests that primary care physicians should not overlook depression and anxiety as potential diagnoses for patients with nausea.
The UN has launched a new handbook to track nonprofits globally, providing a permanent framework for the sector's economic impact. The handbook aims to accurately define the size and scope of nonprofit institutions, crucial for understanding their role in democracy and society.
The study defines web communities as collections of pages with more links within than outside, and uses a maximum flow framework to efficiently identify them. Communities are found to be highly relevant and topically related, with applications in search engines, directories, and content filtering.
Researchers have determined the mechanism that draws immune system's B cells toward T cells, needed to launch an antibody response after exposure to foreign antigen. The discovery highlights the role of chemokine receptors in guiding B cell movement, which may underlie a range of cellular movements in embryonic development.
Bacteria use transporters to pump iron into cells, a process that could be exploited for new antibiotic designs. Researchers deciphered the structure of an iron transporter and found it undergoes dramatic changes when transporting iron.
A cross-sectional study of 493 married couples in Thailand found that HIV transmission from men to women is significantly linked to increased viral loads among HIV-positive men. Women who had previously contracted an STD or used hormonal contraceptives were also at higher risk of transmission.
The University of Washington has established a new center to combat deadly microbial pathogens, which threaten human health worldwide. Researchers will focus on developing treatments and vaccines for diseases caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, pathogenic protozoa, and other infectious agents.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a new protein called Interleukin 24 (IL-24) that is expressed in colon cancer cells and promotes cell growth or prevents cell death. The discovery could lead to the development of molecules to interrupt an autocrine loop, potentially fueling tumor growth.
Researchers analyzed NOAA data on solar radio bursts to determine their impact on cellular communications. They found that bursts of 1,000 SFU occur on 10-20 days per year, causing disruptions every 40-80 days or several times a year.
Two new faculty members at UC Davis have been awarded Sloan Fellowships for their groundbreaking research. Marie Burns studies the G-protein cascade in light-sensitive cells, while Alexander Soshnikov explores the applications of random matrix theory in pure statistics and mathematical physics.
Templeton's analysis reveals human population expansions occurred between 420,000 and 840,000 years ago and 80,000 to 150,000 years ago. Genetic interchange between populations has occurred throughout history, contradicting the idea of replacement events.
Two studies found that eating breakfast can reduce susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections, including colds and flu. Volunteers who reported multiple illnesses were less likely to eat breakfast and consume alcohol, suggesting that psychosocial factors play a role in illness susceptibility.
The new antigen microarrays can diagnose diseases on the first visit, enabling clinicians to pinpoint specific antigens under attack in autoimmune diseases. The arrays also aid in designing effective treatments tailored to individual patients, bypassing the entire immune system.
A study by Dr. Jennifer Grandis and colleagues identified a protein associated with lung cancer also expressed in head and neck cancer, leading to potential therapeutic strategies. The researchers found increased GRPR expression in head and neck cancer tissues compared to healthy controls.
Researchers at Stanford University study hydrogen atom collision with deuterium molecule, finding product travels in opposite direction than expected. The results suggest a more complex process involving multiple reaction mechanisms.
Late-stage prostate cancer unresponsive to hormone therapy due to hypermethylation of estrogen receptor genes. A new study suggests that demethylating agents could restore effectiveness of hormone therapy by reversing methylation.
Scientists at UCLA have developed a new technique that enables them to analyze the molecular composition of ancient fossils, providing conclusive evidence for their biological origin. The study's findings confirm that the oldest known fossils are made of organic matter similar to living microbes.
A Johns Hopkins University senior has conducted original research that sheds new light on the identity of a 400-million-year-old organism. By comparing the fossil to modern relatives, the student found that the ancient specimen's chemistry more closely resembles that of lichens than previously thought.
New study suggests that coffee's antibacterial properties, particularly trigonelline, may reduce S. mutans colonization and prevent tooth decay. Roasted coffee samples showed higher inhibitory activity than green unroasted beans.
The Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) has returned to full-time science operations after a guidance system fix. Scientists and engineers used electromagnets to push and pull on the Earth's magnetic field, achieving sub-arcsecond pointing stability and unlocking nearly half the sky for observations.
The Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program awards grants of $20,000 per year for up to three years to primarily undergraduate institutions. The program aims to enhance undergraduate education through research experiences and encourage students to pursue graduate education in biology and chemistry.
Researchers observed statistically significant amounts of tritium above background in cavitation experiments, suggesting the possibility of nuclear reactions. The findings are based on a collaboration that used high-energy neutrons to create bubbles in liquid, which can result in light emissions and potentially nuclear reactions.
Researchers at Cardiff University have created a cost-effective, realistic surgical trainer using technology typically used in industry. The trainer will be used to perfect key-hole surgery techniques on artificial bodies before being used on real patients.
A nationwide study found long-term exposure to air pollution with high concentrations of tiny particles increases the risk of dying from lung cancer and heart disease. Fine particulate matter levels comparable to second-hand smoke pose significant health risks in polluted cities.
Two new studies published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggest that frequent tomato product consumption may reduce prostate cancer risk. Additionally, researchers found a possible role for the Ras gene in neuroblastoma regression and increased levels of GRP growth factor in head and neck cancers.
A study found that high-volume mammography readers in the US detected fewer cancers than their British counterparts, despite meeting lower annual standards. The research suggests re-engineering US screening programs to improve efficiency and quality without increasing interventions.
A recent study found racial and ethnic disparities in the receipt of cancer treatments, with white patients often receiving more aggressive therapy than minority groups. The study analyzed data from 87 studies and found consistent differences in therapy, including less frequent surgery for lung and colorectal cancers among minorities.
A UCSF study found that radiologists who interpreted a high volume of mammograms were more accurate in detecting cancer. High volume readers had higher sensitivity and accuracy rates compared to low volume readers, suggesting that fewer biopsies are needed to find cancers.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a 3.9% reduction in workforce participation rates, particularly among those with moderate to severe disease. Additionally, sleep-disordered breathing in mildly obese men is linked to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.
A NASA study reveals strong relationships between El Niño episodes and changes in Antarctic sea ice cover, indicating a connection between the Southern Oscillation and global climate. The findings suggest that El Niño affects regional ice distributions, with notable associations observed in the Amundsen, Bellingshausen, and Weddell Seas.
Researchers at UMass are developing new materials from recycled tires, including a solid rubber object that retains 50-90% of its original strength and elasticity. Another material combines asphalt and recycled tires to create an asphalt alternative that withstands high temperatures and remains flexible in low temperatures.
Researchers at Stanford University used neutron scattering to study the magnetic properties of insulators with random impurities, discovering a novel model magnet. The introduction of nonmagnetic impurities disrupts long-range magnetic order, leading to unprecedented quantum fluctuations.
A management science study finds public research has a significant impact on industrial R&D, with the pharmaceutical industry being a major beneficiary. The study reveals that public research contributes to both innovation and project completion, with materials science and computer science fields having the most widespread impact.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute used ultrasonic waves to create small cavitation bubbles that could potentially lead to nuclear fusion. The team observed evidence of tritium and sonoluminescence light flashes, which may indicate the fusion of deuterium atoms in the highly compressed bubbles.
A 'volcanic ozone hole' is likely to occur over the Arctic within the next 30 years due to high volcanic activity coinciding with cold winters. This could lead to a significant increase in springtime ozone loss over the Arctic, threatening more populated areas.
A recent study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that children inside compact extended cab pickup trucks are nearly five times more likely to suffer injuries during a crash. The research highlights the unique hazards posed by these vehicles, including side-facing jump seats and insufficient padding.
A recent study found that 51% of pregnant minority women experienced depression, with levels similar between African-American and Hispanic groups. The research highlights the need for healthcare providers to identify and address social support issues in these vulnerable populations.
Researchers at UC Riverside have received a $100,000 grant from the Department of Energy to investigate ways to improve the performance of hydrogen engines. The project aims to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, which are considered a criteria pollutant, and explore alternative methods for measuring low-level emissions.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals a shift in heart disease burden from men to women and older adults. Heart attack rates decreased among younger men but increased among women over 80, while survival rates remained unchanged for those over 75.
A Cornell University study found that workers using proper ergonomic products and trained in their use experience a significant decline in musculoskeletal problems. The study, which involved coordinating ergonomic interventions with training, showed improvements in nearly half of the participants.
The study found a significant increase in bicycle helmet use from 36% to 84%, resulting in a decrease in head injuries among cyclists. However, another commentator suggests that legislation alone may not be sufficient to promote safe cycling and recommends combining it with other strategies such as bike paths.