Researchers found that marked crosswalks increase the risk of injury for older adults, who face a 3.6 times greater risk when crossing at intersections without traffic signals or stop signs. The study suggests that older pedestrians should avoid relying on marked crosswalks and instead use signals or signs to identify safe crossing areas.
A new study by Wake Forest University School of Medicine has confirmed the existence of diastolic heart failure, a condition that affects older adults' quality of life and exercise capacity. People with this condition experience severely reduced physical ability and increased neuroendocrine activity.
JASON II, a $2.5 million project, begins science operations with enhanced manipulative, sampling, thrust and payload capabilities. The system allows researchers to work in new ways, increasing productivity and enabling real-time analysis of ocean floor data.
Research finds high-intensity ICU staffing associated with lower hospital mortality in 94% of studies. Intensivist-directed care also reduces ICU stay duration in 78% of applicable studies. The US ICU needs more intensivists, with only 10% requiring primary physician expertise.
A study of 16 patients with active multiple myeloma found that FDG PET scans accurately identified those at high risk, revealing disease spread outside the bone marrow. The scan also showed promise in identifying new disease sites for patients with relapsing disease, suggesting its potential as a complementary diagnostic tool.
Researchers found that hospitals with more critical care specialists had significantly lower ICU and hospital death rates and lengths of stay. The study estimates that this increased mortality rate reduction could save up to 162,000 potential lives annually.
Scientists have developed a new, non-invasive method to study neurochemistry and behavior in animal models of neurological and psychiatric diseases. The microPET technique allows researchers to measure dopamine receptor levels in living animals, providing insights into disease progression.
A NASA study analyzed satellite data from 1997-2000 and found that the transition from El Nino to La Nina reversed rainfall patterns in Africa, affecting vegetation greenness. This reversal has implications for agriculture, livestock farming, and vector-borne disease outbreaks.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has awarded a total of $4.5 million to create a community-based drug abuse prevention trials network. The grants will support multi-site studies of evidence-based interventions aimed at preventing substance abuse in urban school settings.
Researchers found that PC-SPES reduced the effectiveness of paclitaxel treatment in both androgen-sensitive and androgen-independent models of prostate carcinoma. Consumption of garlic, chives, and other allium vegetables may be associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
Researchers found that estrogen replacement therapy improved memory performance in rats with ovaries removed, but not when specific cholinergic neurons were destroyed. The study suggests that estrogen may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's-related dementia in postmenopausal women by affecting these neurons.
Researchers found that anti-inflammatory agents are more effective in patients at higher risk of death from sepsis. Spiral computed tomography (CT) scans can help identify up to four times more lung cancers than chest x-rays, with 70% of tumors still in Stage 1.
Researchers found that patients with diastolic heart failure have severely reduced exercise capacity and quality of life, similar to those with classic congestive heart failure. The study supports the existence of a second type of heart failure, highlighting the need for intensive research and treatment development.
The center aims to develop effective teen drug-abuse prevention programs by integrating theories and methods from diverse areas, including neurobiology, epidemiology, and social network analysis. Researchers will train investigators to incorporate approaches used by researchers in other disciplines.
A study using an electronic nose found good correlation between actual and predicted pneumonia scores in critically ill patients. The device can help diagnose ventilator-associated pneumonia more quickly than traditional methods.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have successfully converted human neural stem cells into dopamine-making neurons in a laboratory setting. Approximately 25% of the stem cells were able to produce the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which is necessary for dopamine production. The breakthrough could potentially lead to the develop...
Researchers have discovered that nerves from the sympathetic branch of the nervous system (PSNS) are connected to fatty tissue, influencing its growth and function. This finding may lead to a better understanding of obesity-related conditions such as type II diabetes and high blood pressure.
A new research network aims to develop and test integrated approaches to treating incarcerated individuals with drug abuse disorders. The National Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Study (CJ-DATS) will forge partnerships among NIDA, researchers, and practitioners to provide evidence-based treatment services.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded $2 million to fund research on inhalant abuse, focusing on epidemiology, risk factors, and health consequences. The new studies aim to address the severe lack of research-based information on this widespread problem affecting young children.
The University of California, Santa Barbara researchers are tackling the challenge of integrating all-optical wavelength converter technology on a single chip. They aim to develop an approach that can simultaneously handle digital and analog signals, paving the way for future photonics system integration.
Gaby, a dedicated chemistry teacher, has developed problem-based learning activities that utilize real-life experiences to enhance students' motivation. Her approaches have led to numerous student awards and scholarships, solidifying her reputation as an outstanding educator.
A recent study estimates that producing a single two-gram chip requires at least 3.7 pounds of fossil fuel and chemical inputs, contradicting the concept of dematerialization. The high-energy consumption is attributed to the low entropy of microchips, which are manufactured from highly organized starting materials.
The DARE concept uses balloons with a StratoSail device to control their path in strong atmospheric winds, enabling pole-to-pole exploration of Venus and Titan's atmospheres and targeted observations of Mars and Jupiter's Great Red Spot.
Researchers have discovered a vector using E. coli and Listeria to promote health, with six mice remaining tumor-free for over 90 days after vaccination. The killed bacterial formulation primes the immune system against diseases like cancer.
A study using MRI found that procedural learning and declarative learning activate the same neural networks, despite requiring different levels of awareness. The brain's prefrontal cortex, inferior parietal cortex, and putamen were active in both cases, suggesting a shared underlying network.
A new testing method for Johne's disease has been developed, allowing farmers to classify test results into five levels and make more informed decisions about cow management. This method enables the efficient handling of a large number of samples and saves farmers money by reducing the need for fecal culture tests.
Researchers found that HIV-specific killer T cells in asymptomatic individuals can recognize and kill both laboratory strain and autologous virus-infected target cells. However, these cells in symptomatic patients with AIDS are no longer effective against their own mutated virus.
A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that a high-fiber diet did not affect the recurrence rate of adenomatous polyps in participants. The researchers separated the participants into four groups based on their baseline fiber consumption and calculated the risk of polyp recurrence in each group.
A study found that herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) infection may increase the risk of invasive cervical cancer, particularly when combined with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The study analyzed data from seven countries and detected HSV-2 antibodies in nearly half of women with cervical cancer, but not in most women without the d...
A new study reveals dispersin, a protein on the surface of E. coli bacteria, helps promote its ability to survive and spread in the gut. Dispersin is now being explored as a potential vaccine candidate due to its strong immune response-provoking properties.
Researchers aim to make substance abuse treatment more accessible and effective in community settings by adapting existing therapies. The NIDA initiative tests innovative approaches, including brief family therapy, computer-based training, and community reinforcement methods.
New devices can control the motion of magnetic flux quanta, allowing for precise manipulation of magnetic fields within superconducting materials. This enables the creation of specific magnetic profiles, facilitating applications such as removing unwanted flux and magnetically focusing nearby particles.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that HIV-specific killer T cells in AIDS patients are remnants of a once-effective response early after infection. The high number of these cells can no longer recognize mutated autologous virus, leading to disease progression.
A European seal plague outbreak may claim up to 10,000 harbor seals in 2002, with mortality rates varying from 15-58 percent among regions. The virus is spread through coughing and is thought to have been introduced by migrating harp seals.
Researchers have identified a genetic mutation that causes acute fatty liver of pregnancy, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition. Screening newborns can detect the disease early, allowing for treatment and preventing deaths.
Eli Claiborne, a principal consulting research and development scientist, has developed a fully biodegradable vegetable oil called BIOTEMP to reduce environmental harm from transformers. Many US companies now use commercial transformers containing the new fluid, which also has potential for larger applications.