Penn researchers used laser tweezers to study the strength of ligand-receptor binding in platelets, refining the paradigm of how blood clots form. They found that changes in integrin's ability to bind to fibrinogen are regulated by the cell as an all-or-none phenomenon with only one functional state compatible with binding.
The BAXJECT device eliminates filter needles during Factor VIII concentrate infusion preparation, reducing risk of needle-stick injury and contamination. The device is designed for safe and easy use by children and adults alike.
Researchers found that treating latent tuberculosis infections in non-U.S.-born residents may help decrease active disease cases. A new treatment regimen with shorter duration and fewer doses could improve compliance, but targeting only US-born populations is insufficient to solve the problem.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that cancer patients receiving both investigational chemotherapy treatments and palliative care outperformed those who received only treatment. This approach improved quality-of-life assessments and increased completion of chemotherapy cycles.
The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology has released comprehensive national consensus guidelines to evaluate women with abnormal Pap tests. The guidelines recommend utilizing new technologies, including liquid-based cytology and HPV testing, to standardize care.
Researchers found that implantable pain pumps improved cancer patients' quality of life by increasing survival rates, reducing pain and side effects. Patients treated with the pump had significantly less fatigue, constipation, and nausea compared to those on medical management.
A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that obesity and smoking significantly increase asthma risk in adults. Women were 94% more likely than men to have asthma, while people in lower socioeconomic groups were 30% more likely to be affected.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that COX-2 expression is higher than normal in meningioma and pituitary macroadenomas, with more aggressive disease associated with greater enzyme presence. The study opens up opportunities for designing potential therapies against brain tumors.
Brenda A. Wilson's research explores Pasteurella multocida toxin's mechanism, revealing its impact on Gq protein and cell damage. The discovery could lead to new strategies for treating toxin-mediated diseases.
In a study involving 495 patients, Effexor XR showed significantly higher remission rates compared to placebo. At the end of 12 months, 67% of patients maintained remission after a year of therapy, with 46% on placebo.
A study of Melbourne women found a decline in sexual interest, arousal, and frequency during menopause, with estradiol levels plummeting. Relationship factors, not hormonal changes, have the greatest impact on sexual response.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have identified the main bacteria associated with black band disease, a widespread coral disease characterized by a ring-shaped bacterial mat. The study found that cyanobacteria are a key factor in the development of the disease.
Stanford researchers have established a link between creative genius and mental illness, with healthy artists showing more similarities in personality to individuals with manic depression. Emotional range was found to be a key factor in this relationship.
Researchers aim to find new targets in the brain to prevent and treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases using Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) technology. The $2.75 million funding will support Columbia University's technology transfer and commercialization efforts.
Baxter's rAHF/PFM therapy has shown bioequivalence with Recombinate, a current gold-standard, indicating comparable hemostatic efficacy in managing Haemophilia A. This new method reduces theoretical risk of disease transmission by eliminating human or animal-derived raw materials.
A new study by Emory University and CDC reveals a surge in sepsis cases across the US, with significant increases in hospitalizations among specific demographics. The incidence of sepsis rose in both children and adults over a 20-year period, with gram-positive infections becoming more prevalent.
Researchers discovered that ramoplanin effectively targets bacteria's ability to build cell walls, dodging common mechanisms of mutational resistance. This finding could lead to the development of new classes of antibiotics for treating drug-resistant infections.
Dr. Rita Charon, a Columbia University professor, has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship to complete her book on narrative medicine. Her research focuses on the literary and narrative techniques that enable physicians to achieve empathy with patients.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University developed an animal model of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a disease characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of white blood cells. The model enables scientists to investigate biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the disease and test potential new drugs.
Research by Penn State's King found that ever-divorced grandparents live farther away from their grandchildren than married grandparents. Grandfathers report less contact and higher conflict with grandchildren compared to grandmothers. However, a good parent-grandparent relationship can mitigate the negative influence of divorce.
A study by the American Thoracic Society found that non-smoking females with and without asthma experience decreased lung function due to secondhand smoke exposure. High levels of cotinine, a marker of secondhand smoke exposure, were associated with lower lung function in these women.
A study found that B. cereus spores are associated with high numbers of gold-containing soils, suggesting their potential use as a biogeochemical indicator. The method could help geologists locate gold deposits at low cost and efficiency.