A rural Indian community study found that training healthcare workers to promote exclusive breastfeeding until age 6 months reduced diarrhea rates by a third. Exclusive breastfeeding rates were also significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group.
A study published in Environment and Behavior found that rural children living in homes with more nature exhibits lower levels of psychological distress. The researchers also discovered that the benefits of exposure to natural environments are not limited, even in rural settings with abundant green landscapes.
Mammography screening has been shown to significantly reduce breast cancer mortality in European countries. Studies found that women aged 40-69 years who received screening had a 44% reduced risk of dying from breast cancer, while those not screened had a 16% reduction.
A research paper analyzed ice crystals from Hurricane Nora's cirrus clouds, revealing the presence of sea salt and plankton. The study found that hurricane winds transported marine life particles to high altitudes, affecting ice crystal growth and shape.
Researchers discovered that tau and alpha-synuclein proteins interact to form brain lesions in both diseases, potentially leading to effective treatments for both conditions. The study found that inhibiting the formation of one type of amyloid lesion may also prevent the other.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics has identified two overlapping genes on chromosome 13 as increasing susceptibility to bipolar disorder, affecting 2 million Americans. The same gene complex is also linked to an increased risk for schizophrenia.
Scientists create composite maps of the world's 'net primary production' every 8 days, revealing how much carbon dioxide is taken in by vegetation during photosynthesis. The new measurement provides a global perspective on the Earth's carbon cycle and has implications for climate change, agriculture, and ocean productivity.
Jacek Sekutowicz, a visiting senior scientist at Jefferson Lab, is leading the way in cavity redesign as part of a proposed 12 GeV upgrade. He and his colleagues aim to reduce or eliminate parasitic modes using high order mode couplers, resulting in highly efficient beam passage through the cavities.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is conducting a study to investigate the causes of rheumatic diseases, including lupus and scleroderma. The research focuses on identical twins and close siblings, collecting blood and urine samples to examine environmental exposures and genetic variations.
Research Points highlights four key actions for policymakers: think about alignment from the start, conduct analysis using multiple criteria, consider standard revisions, and update alignment studies. The series also provides examples of common challenges in test alignment and how to determine sufficient alignment.
Researchers have developed a system that can alter pitch, duration, and vibrato in singing voices, producing more professional-sounding renditions. The technology uses a sinusoidal model to break down the original voice into components that can be modified to produce a great singing voice.
AERA honors James B. Hunt Jr. for his commitment to using education research in policy-making, resulting in improved student performance in North Carolina. The former governor received the Public Service Award at AERA's Annual Meeting in Chicago.
Professor Phil Gans predicts that volcanic eruptions in Costa Rica are 'inevitable' and could lead to devastating pyroclastic flows. He studied volcanic rocks and found evidence of subduction-related volcanism dating back 24 million years, with major eruptions occurring every few thousand years.
Researchers at Jefferson Lab are conducting an experiment to demonstrate energy recovery, which could lead to more efficient and powerful accelerators. By recirculating high-energy electrons, they aim to reduce RF energy usage while maintaining beam quality.
The quality of care in nursing homes remains a significant challenge, with many experts arguing that public reporting may hasten the demise of low-performing facilities and create a void without clear solutions. A balanced long-term care system is needed to address issues such as staffing, financing, and care delivery.
Rocco Schiavilla, Interim Theory Group Leader at Jefferson Lab, was elected APS Fellow in 2002 for his work on nuclei as systems of protons and neutrons interacting via many-body potentials. His research focuses on the development and application of this picture to explain nuclear properties over a wide range of energies.
A study of US women's suicides found that white women are three times more likely to die by suicide than black women. The key findings suggest the need for targeted prevention programs and better data collection on suicidal behaviors.
The PREMIER study found that an all-in-one approach to lifestyle changes, including diet and physical activity, significantly lowered blood pressure in participants. The study showed that those who made the greatest lifestyle changes had the best results, with significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
A study by Physicians for Human Rights and the University of Michigan Health System found that two-thirds of federal forensic doctors reported detainee torture, with nearly half documenting evidence. The incidence of torture may be declining, but monitoring and evidence-gathering are crucial to overcoming the country's history of abuse.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new technique for creating targeted, antigen-specific immune cells in the lab. The method uses artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) to convert generic immune cells into effective disease-fighters.
Researchers at Winship Cancer Institute report that 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis by suppressing HIF. The compound targets microtubules, leading to the downregulation of HIF-1a and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.
Experts recommend developing strategies to persuade consumers to eat in moderation, including marketing and labeling changes. Modified foods with reduced fat and added water-rich vegetables can also help reduce calorie intake while maintaining palatability.
A study of over 800 adults found that combining weight loss, improved exercise, and a low-salt diet significantly lowers blood pressure. The participants who received comprehensive lifestyle modification had the best results, with an average reduction of 11mmHg in systolic and 6.4mmHg in diastolic blood pressure.
A study by Rebecca E. Lee and Abby C. King found that exercise programs can increase physical activity in sedentary older adults. The researchers reported a significant increase in physical activity among women who enrolled in an exercise-focused program compared to those in a nutrition-focused program.
The researchers successfully grew extremely long and straight single-walled carbon nanotubes by heating samples quickly, achieving lengths of over 2 millimeters. This breakthrough could enable the creation of billionths-of-a-meter scale electronic circuitry and opens up new possibilities for nanoelectrical components.
Researchers have identified a phenomenon where TV viewers misremember facts from news stories, often due to stereotypical thinking. To combat this, they suggest using semantic elaboration to promote critical thinking. By displaying the wrong-doer's face before or alongside the news anchor, false memories can be corrected.
A new study has found that cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers may be effective in detecting early stages of Alzheimer's disease, with a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 89%. The researchers suggest that these biomarkers could be used to identify people at risk of developing the disease.
The E2F3 protein plays a crucial role in controlling cell division. A study found that its absence can lead to increased genetic instability and centrosome proliferation, which may contribute to cancer development. The researchers discovered that cells without E2F3 were more likely to develop into tumors, especially when combined with ...
Researchers found that familiarity breeds content, with engineers three times more likely to consult familiar colleagues than experts. The study suggests companies can boost productivity and satisfaction by encouraging richer social connections.
A study by Laura Svetkey and colleagues found that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, combined with regular exercise, can effectively lower blood pressure. The DASH diet was paired with traditional dietary and exercise guidance for the best results.
Researchers have identified a new source of stem cells in human teeth, known as SHED (Stem cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth), which can grow rapidly in culture and differentiate into specialized cells. This discovery may lead to breakthroughs in tooth repair, bone regeneration, and neural injury treatment.
Researchers have developed a new brain imaging technique called Voxel-based Lesion-Symptom Mapping (VLSM), which pinpoint areas of the brain most crucial for normal functioning. The method uses structural MRI scans and compares them to functional brain imaging data, allowing for more accurate mapping of brain damage and behavior.
Researchers found that ovarian cancer cells produce collagen VI, which remodels their environment to make them more resistant to chemotherapy. This could lead to new therapeutic interventions to overcome chemotherapy resistance and improve survival rates for women with ovarian cancer.
A new virtual reality device re-creates hallucinations associated with schizophrenia, helping patients better understand their condition and adhere to medication. The technology also offers healthcare professionals a tool to assess treatment effectiveness, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
A University of Minnesota study has found that tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) significantly reduces injury associated with hemorrhagic strokes in rats. The bile acid crosses the blood-brain barrier and induces survival pathways while inhibiting destructive ones, leading to a 50% decrease in lesion volume.
Researchers identified 124 genes whose changes in expression differed depending on the treatment regimen, providing new clues on how medications work and how cancer cells protect themselves. The study's findings will help design more rational and effective ways to use drugs for deadly childhood leukemia.
A new LASIK procedure uses femtosecond lasers to create precise, high-precision cuts in the human cornea, reducing complications and improving reliability. The technology has been safely used in over 30,000 procedures, offering a bladeless alternative to traditional microkeratome-based methods.
Chronic snorers are more than twice as likely to experience chronic daily headaches as those with occasional headaches. Researchers suggest that treating snoring could help alleviate headaches in some individuals.
A 2002 NASA study found a significant decline in coral cover and species diversity after the 'black water' event, which was caused by a bloom of microscopic marine plants. The dark water reduced sunlight absorption, affecting the ecosystem.
A Rice University study found that diesel engines are the primary contributors of fine particles to Houston's air, followed by gasoline-powered vehicles and road dust. The researchers also discovered that fuel oil combustion from industrial plants produced significant amounts of particulate matter.
A Texas Agricultural Experiment Station scientist has developed a method of producing collagen and other health-related proteins from plants, replacing human or animal sources. The process involves introducing collagen proteins into sugarcane callus, transforming the cane to produce both sugar and collagen protein in cane stems.
A study by University of Notre Dame researchers found that increased use of Decision Support Systems (DSS) leads to lower patient death rates and increased hospital profitability, resulting in over $140 per patient in additional revenue.
Researchers identified chromosomal abnormalities in 5.9% of ALS patients, suggesting a previously unknown risk factor for the disease. The study highlights the need for systematic genetic analysis of patients with ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study by The Institute for Genomic Research found close similarity among the DNA sequences of Chlamydiae pathogens, including C. trachomatis, C. pneumoniae, and C. muridarum, which cause human diseases such as blindness and pneumonia. Nearly 800 genes discovered in C. caviae were also found in these other bacteria.
Researchers found that participants taking statins lowered their brain cholesterol levels by 21.4 percent, potentially reducing amyloid plaque formation and severity of Alzheimer's disease. The study, led by Dr. Gloria Vega, showed no adverse side effects in patients with normal cholesterol levels.
A Rutgers researcher has discovered a gene that causes melanoma by expressing differently in skin cells compared to brain cells. The finding provides new insights into the disease's development and could lead to more targeted treatments.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have made a breakthrough in developing a gene therapy that can cure diabetes in mice. The treatment uses the NeuroD gene to induce liver cells to produce insulin and other hormones associated with the pancreas' endocrine system.
The structure of MEF2 protein reveals key to its function in regulating genes across various cell types, including muscle, brain, and immune cells. By altering the protein's binding groove, researchers may uncover new targets for therapeutic strategies.
A study by Michael DeBaun and colleagues found that children with neuropathic pain require significantly higher doses of morphine and benzodiazepine than those without. Using methadone as an alternative, the team discovered a more effective treatment approach for pain relief in these patients.
The article discusses the relationship between natural and synthetic substances in relation to human health. Key findings include the difficulty of synthesizing complex natural compounds and the potential for modification by synthetic chemists to enhance medicinal properties.
The Management of Knowledge-Intensive Dynamic Systems (MKIDS) program supports research on how information technologies can streamline processes for organizations responding to rapidly changing situations. Researchers are developing tools to design optimal organizational structures, predict failure points, and monitor organizational pe...
Researchers have identified a key function of merlin in maintaining adherens junctions, which are essential for suppressing cancer development and progression. The study reveals that loss of merlin results in destabilization of these junctions, leading to unchecked cell proliferation and tumor formation.
Researchers have developed a new method using titanium oxide nanocrystals to deliver genes into cells, potentially overcoming current limitations of gene therapy. The nanocomposites can separate when exposed to light or x-rays, allowing for targeted gene delivery.
Researchers found that hypomethylation, a process triggered by some anti-cancer drugs, can cause tumors in mice. The study suggests that these drugs may do harm as well as good, and highlights the need for further research into the effects of hypomethylation on cancer development in different tissues.
Researchers identify viral protease NS3/4A as a key player in evading the immune system, leading to new avenues for clinical and basic research on hepatitis C. Inhibiting this protease restores the host's immune response, reducing viral levels to nearly undetectable levels.
Researchers studied a gene called Hybrid male rescue in fruit flies and found it altered at an unprecedented rate, speeding up the formation of new species. The work suggests that genetic changes can occur rapidly, driving species divergence.
The editorial highlights China's slow information-gathering from rural districts and secretive attitude to national health statistics as major challenges. A concerted effort to compile accurate statistics on HIV/AIDS prevalence could demonstrate China's ability to learn from its mistakes and acknowledge global responsibilities.
Despite explosive population growth, total harvested area in the region increased by 5%, while irrigated land jumped by 73%. Urbanization appears to have stabilized farm and ranch employment in eastern Colorado Plains cities.
The report, endorsed by national not-for-profit research organizations, urges a 10% increase in the NIH budget to address Alzheimer's, diabetes, and arthritis. This investment could lead to major medical advances and alleviate suffering from aging-related diseases.
A collaborative research group investigated whether Down's syndrome and NTD arise more often in the same family. The study found a significant link between the two conditions, with increased rates of pregnancy loss among families at high risk of NTD and Down's syndrome.