A study by Penn State researchers found that school service personnel who participated in a Project PA workshop recognized the importance of nutrition education and healthy eating behaviors in addressing childhood obesity. The participants identified parental attitudes, peer pressure, and media as barriers to students' healthful eating...
A Canadian study compared outcomes for patients with elevated cardiac markers who received a home health nurse-delivered disease management program versus those without. The results showed significant reductions in hospitalization days for congestive heart failure and angina. A commentary highlighted the need for a national program to ...
A Canadian study found that 96% of substantiated child abuse cases did not result in serious physical harm, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of investigative procedures and risk assessments. The study's findings also raise concerns about the emphasis on rapid intervention over longer-term service needs.
A newly discovered bacterium, Polaromonas naphthalenivorans strain CJ2, has been found to break down naphthalene and other toxins in coal tar contamination. The discovery was made using a new technique called stable isotopic probing (SIP), which allowed researchers to identify the microbe's DNA signature.
The study reveals a significant lack of data on neonatal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in a highly variable rate. Researchers highlight the need for investments in neonatal research and health programs to address this critical public health issue.
A new study has identified a crucial connection between genes involved in brain development and human diseases such as epilepsy, mental retardation, and schizophrenia. The findings have significant implications for understanding the causes of these conditions and potentially leading to new treatments.
Research identifies specific brain areas affected in children with dyslexia, suggesting a neurological basis for reading difficulties. Effective teaching can improve reading skills by changing brain activation patterns.
A recent study found that biological DMARDs significantly increase the risk of serious hepatic events. The study showed no such link with leflunomide or traditional DMARDs, suggesting further investigation is needed.
A study by ecologist Jeff Dukes calculates that 98 tons of plants per gallon are needed to produce modern fossil fuels. The research found that the amount of carbon in ancient plant matter required to form coal, oil, and gas is equivalent to all the plant growth on Earth over 13,300 years.
Melatonin levels are high at night and low during the day, but a newly discovered regulatory mechanism reveals how exposure to light accelerates melatonin disappearance. The study identified a critical phosphate group in enzyme AANAT that determines its stability, shedding new light on cellular processes.
The American College of Chest Physicians has been awarded a scholarship by GlaxoSmithKline to create an educational program on respiratory health and advance best practices in patient care. Dr. Martin will investigate how to implement asthma guidelines into primary care practice and educate the public about them.
Dr. Yuan Chang discovered human herpesvirus 8 (KSHV) in 1994 and has since studied its biology to understand how it causes cancer. Her work has transformed understanding of the most common malignancy in people infected with HIV.
The American College of Chest Physicians awarded Dr. Lenfant its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to the field of pulmonary and cardiovascular medicine. He oversaw major clinical trials that have had a significant impact on disease treatment and prevention.
The ACCP's new Patient-Focused Care Pledge emphasizes the provider's role as a patient advocate, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary care and lifelong learning. The pledge aims to improve patient outcomes by prioritizing patient needs in all medical specialties and practice types.
Researchers have created a simpler, cheaper way to make and fit prosthetics by using a gel instead of plaster. The new process has been tested on 10 leg amputees with no differences found in the success of the two types of sockets.
The CHEST Foundation's new series aims to promote physician-family communication and provide comfort to those confronting difficult experiences. The six booklets cover themes such as survival, poetry, and acceptance, offering healing and closure to contributors and readers alike.
The JAK2 enzyme plays a dual role, protecting brain cells from Alzheimer's disease and blocking cell death pathways. However, it also causes damage to blood vessels in diabetics, leading to hypertension, kidney failure, and other age-related diseases.
Researchers found that minorities were less likely to receive an insanity opinion than whites, but the difference was small. The study also suggests that a community-based forensic mental health system in Virginia is reliable for offering insanity opinions.
A study by Purdue University found that consumers are willing to pay a premium for genetically modified foods that provide direct benefits, such as golden rice with enhanced vitamin A content. The research also identified a technique called 'cheap talk' that can help reduce consumer bias in marketing surveys.
The grant will enable the university to renovate historic facilities, consolidate research programs, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration. The center aims to address health disparities and provide guidance on bioethics research practices.
A newly identified gene, BOS1, has been found to regulate plant response to both biological and non-biological stresses. This gene provides resistance to the gray mold disease that destroys up to 30% of tomato and strawberry crops annually.
Childhood visual impairment and blindness in the UK are more common and severe than assumed, often linked to complex disabilities and increased mortality rates. The study highlights the need for new interventions to address this largely insurmountable burden of blinding eye disease in industrialized countries.
Women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have a high risk of developing breast cancer, but exercising during adolescence and maintaining a healthy weight may slow its onset. The study found that these lifestyle factors were protective regardless of birth year or family history.
E. coli cells quadruple Pol IV enzyme production as they starve, allowing them to adapt and survive through increased genetic variation. This discovery could help hospitals combat nosocomial infections by developing new strategies for quickly mutating bacteria.
Researchers at Columbia Climate School have discovered that the majority of water in the Indonesian Throughflow flows below 300m below the surface, making it colder and deeper than thought. This finding has significant implications for understanding heat exchange between oceans and the atmosphere.
The NIST Director emphasizes the importance of improving security for critical industrial systems, particularly those using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology. Immediate actions can be taken, such as creating basic security policies and closing system backdoors, to enhance SCADA security.
A study published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology identified high patient volume as the greatest risk factor for increased chances of incurring malpractice claims or lawsuits. Other risk factors included prior claims or lawsuits, male surgeon gender, advertising, time spent with patients, and co-management with optometrists.
Women with BRCA1 mutations have a poorer prognosis for breast cancer compared to those without the mutation. However, chemotherapy may improve survival rates for these patients. The study suggests that physicians should consider BRCA1 mutation status when making treatment decisions.
Research in the Journal of Industrial Ecology reveals that seemingly small e-commerce decisions can have significant environmental impacts, often shifting from positive to negative effects. Positive IT effects are typically limited to 5-20% reductions in pollution or energy use.
A new study provides reliable estimates of tropical sea surface temperature changes during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, fitting existing climate models. The findings support greenhouse climate theory and back global warming predictions, with significant implications for understanding current climate trends.
Researchers found that adding clay to fatty acid micelles greatly accelerated vesicle formation, and even demonstrated growth and division in these physical-chemical systems. This discovery offers a possible pathway for the evolution of living cells, with implications for understanding the origins of life on Earth.
The contest aims to honor biology experiments that are considered aesthetically pleasing, with a panel of experts screening nominations. The journal's goal is to encourage creative thinking among biologists about both famous and obscure experiments.
A study highlights the rise of vitamin D deficiency and rickets in children and pregnant women, particularly in immigrant groups in more temperate regions. Experts recommend extra dietary vitamin D supplementation for these populations to prevent deficiencies.
A landmark study provides accurate lifetime risk estimates for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, with women carrying the BRCA1 gene facing a 54% risk of ovarian cancer. The study also highlights the negative impact of obesity and lack of exercise on breast cancer development in women with the mutation.
AstraZeneca's rosuvastatin has an inferior evidence base supporting its safe use compared to competitors. The company is facing unusually acute commercial pressure to force the drug into the market.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered a new pathway, LRG-47, that can disarm TB and prevent its replication in mice. Strengthening this defense could lead to new treatments for latent TB infections, which affect an estimated 10 to 15 million people in the US.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and NASA have developed a process to convert inedible wheat grass into activated carbon, absorbing nitrogen oxides and producing fertilizer. This technology could support a crew of six astronauts on a three-year Mars mission by recycling waste and conserving materials.
Lei Wang, a post-doctoral researcher, developed a method to insert an extra amino acid into proteins in live cells, expanding the genetic code. This breakthrough has opened new research horizons and could lead to highly specific genetic engineering.
Cumbre Inc. and University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have published data on a new class of bacterial RNA polymerase inhibitors with major breakthrough potential, offering a powerful tool to study gene expression mechanisms and developing new antibiotics against bacterial pathogens.
Economic assessments of government R&D programs should be designed to measure productivity, quality, and reliability impacts on production and commercialization. A study's timing is critical, conducted within three to 10 years after a technology's significant marketplace impact.
A new class of compounds called CBR703 series inhibit RNA polymerase, a key enzyme in gene expression, and hinder the ability of bacteria to perform crucial catalytic functions. The compounds render RNA polymerase useless by binding to a specific place on the enzyme.
A new study published in The Lancet found that pulse-dye laser therapy (PDL) was effective in reducing acne symptoms by half at three months. PDL treatment was also well-tolerated and showed the largest effect within four weeks, suggesting it could be a promising alternative to daily conventional pharmacological treatments.
The Mayo Clinic research reveals a molecular mechanism involved in cell cycle regulation of the BRCA1 tumor suppressor gene. The team found that phosphorylation is required at certain stages to activate proteins associated with the BRCA1 gene.
The WIISARD project aims to provide emergency personnel with medical data on victims' conditions, track chemical or radioactive attacks, and ensure communication safety. The system utilizes radio-frequency tags, hand-held devices with location-based access to patient data, and a disaster database.
Researchers aim to enroll 75 men and women at three sites over three years to assess nicotine's effect on memory loss. The study, funded by a $1.5 million grant, will provide insights into potential treatments for mild cognitive impairment.
NIST is working on redundant elevator power systems and waterproof components to maintain safe operation during fires. The institute will use virtual reality simulation to test emergency evacuation procedures and collaborate with global experts to establish standards.
The USGS has discovered a vast area of green mineral olivine on Mars, suggesting that the planet's surface has been dry and free from recent water activity. This finding is significant as it implies that the Martian surface has not experienced significant chemical weathering due to liquid water.
A study found that nearly 50% of Parkinson's patients on levodopa therapy experience 'wearing off' within one to two years, causing symptoms to re-emerge before the next dose. This phenomenon is associated with motor and non-motor symptoms, as well as autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
A recent study found that the Arctic warmed significantly over the last decade, with the largest temperature increases occurring in North America. The study's results have direct connections to other NASA-funded research on declining sea ice extent, which could lead to positive feedbacks and further climate change.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science conducted a survey to identify top biopharma employers, with Genentech Inc. and Johnson & Johnson taking the first two spots. The survey analyzed responses from 910 Science readers and assigned scores based on specific characteristics.
Researchers identified a mutation in the human serotonin transporter gene, hSERT, associated with OCD, which may result from a genetic double hit increasing serotonin transport and leading to treatment resistance. The study provides insights into transporter function and potential tests for identifying and treating mental illness.
Researchers at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases have developed a hantavirus vaccine that elicited a potent neutralizing antibody response in rhesus macaques. The vaccine, which uses a naked DNA approach, also provided protection against hamster infection when administered after exposure.
A study of 85 breast cancer patients reveals low complication rates for reconstruction after radiation therapy, with no major complications in TRAM flap recipients and only 5% of implant patients experiencing major complications. The study also found that TRAM patients had superior cosmetic scores compared to implant recipients.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has published several new studies on various eye conditions, including amblyopia, glaucoma, and corneal surgery. Researchers have explored the effectiveness of patching regimens for treating severe amblyopia in children and found promising results.
Wilfred Jefferies and his team have discovered a cellular pathway that triggers immune responses and identified a specialized organelle within dendritic cells controlling immune system activation. The findings hold enormous implications for patients, enabling targeted treatment adjustments to regulate immune responses.
Researchers found that Bmi-1 is essential for self-renewal in two types of adult stem cells: neural stem cells from the central nervous system and hematopoietic stem cells. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of cancer development, as Bmi-1's overexpression can promote uncontrolled growth.
A new study found that treating hematopoietic stem cells with parathyroid hormone increases their numbers and improves bone marrow transplantation outcomes. The research team discovered a cellular-signaling pathway called Notch that is involved in the process, which they believe can be exploited to enhance stem cell populations.
A study analyzing over 1,200 questions from teenagers reveals that most queries focus on bodily symptoms, relationships, and pregnancy, while few address contraception and sexually transmitted infections. The researchers emphasize the importance of integrating mind and body discussions to meet teens' comprehensive needs.
Researchers at UMHS have developed re-engineered blood vessels that can be used in heart bypass surgery, lower extremity bypasses, and tissue transfers. The new method reduces the risk of rejection by using the host's own cells, increasing the likelihood of success.
The study reveals that retroviral protein p12 stimulates the growth and proliferation of immune cells known as T lymphocytes by producing interleukin 2 (IL-2). This finding supports the view that HTLV-1 virus replicates mainly by causing infected cells to divide and proliferate.