A study of 250 children found that botulinum toxin significantly improved symptoms of muscle spasticity, enabling them to perform daily tasks such as feeding and writing for the first time. Long-term use of the drug showed minimal adverse effects and maintained effectiveness over two years or more.
A new study explores brain activity during explicit mental operations of finger representations using objective confirmation of performance. The researchers found that brain areas associated with motor execution and imagery were equally activated, suggesting a functional gradation from more 'executive' to more 'imaginative' areas.
Researchers discovered a corollary discharge inhibition mechanism that enables crickets to hear external sounds during song production, preventing desensitization. This allows males to defend their territory and respond to noisy predators.
A new study found that statins can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with high blood pressure and normal or low cholesterol levels. The treatment resulted in a 36% lower risk of primary events such as death from CHD and non-fatal heart attacks, primarily within the first year of treatment.
Dr. Alan Wilman is developing a new MRI technique that provides highly detailed images of blood vessels, allowing doctors to diagnose conditions like heart attacks and strokes earlier. His goal is to create a safer and cheaper alternative that can help prevent deaths by aiding in early diagnosis.
Researchers have found that heating broccoli to 60°C increases the levels of anti-carcinogenic sulphoraphanes, which may help prevent cancer. To achieve high levels of these beneficial compounds, plant breeders could consider eliminating genes that code for a protein called ESP.
The STELLAR study found CRESTOR 10-40mg reduced LDL-C by 46 to 55 percent, while raising HDL-C by 7.6 to 9.6 percent compared to other statins. The study was part of AstraZeneca's GALAXY Program and included over 19,000 patients from 23 countries.
A randomized trial found that a one-to-one counseling program with personalized phone calls significantly improved patients' understanding of tobacco risks and increased their intention to abstain from smoking. The study showed long-term benefits, even a year after the intervention.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute discovered the first noxious cold receptor, ANKTM1, which detects 'noxious' cold temperatures and allows an influx of positively charged ions into axons. This finding may lead to pain-modulating drugs.
Competition among Medicare health plans may not be enough to reduce costs and address fiscal concerns. Beneficiaries may absorb savings, and market instability is a concern in structured market-based strategies.
Researchers found that Asian elephants can move at speeds of up to 15 mph, with some individuals reaching 50% faster than previously recorded speeds. This gait, dubbed "Groucho running", meets the biomechanical definition of running, where the center of mass appears to bounce and the footfall pattern is different from walking.
The St. Jude team successfully developed a custom-made vaccine against the H5N1 flu virus in just four weeks, thanks to a modified technique called reverse genetics. The vaccine was created by mixing genes from H5N1 with those from a common flu virus, making it safe for human use.
The study found that vaccinated elderly patients were 48% less likely to die during the 1998-99 season and 50% less likely to die during the 1999-2000 season. Additionally, vaccinated patients were less likely to develop pneumonia, cardiac disease, and stroke, confirming previous VA research on flu shots' life-saving benefits.
The Human Media Lab invents computers that sense user attention, prioritizing messages based on user availability. Their Attentive User Interfaces use eye contact sensors to track user focus, optimizing communication and minimizing distractions.
A study published in JCI Journals identified unique immunological factors produced by immune cells of peanut-allergic children compared to non-allergic individuals and those who outgrown their allergies. These findings suggest the development of allergic reactions depends on host immune response rather than inherent allergenic properties.
The Tufts team is developing digital modeling tools to help local communities map out their watersheds, identify trouble spots and take cost-effective steps to manage nutrient entry. The computer models will also be used by the EPA and state governments to improve upon their current systems for managing watershed nutrients.
A phase I clinical trial found that antibody therapy increased the effectiveness of cancer vaccines in patients with metastatic melanoma and ovarian cancer. The treatment, which blocks CTLA-4, elicited a potent immune response and killed cancer cells.
According to a new study, nearly 10 million US women aged 35-79 could benefit from tamoxifen chemoprevention for breast cancer. White women are more likely to benefit than black or Hispanic women due to differences in risk factors and comorbidities.
The Chemical Heritage Foundation has received a grant from the William Penn Foundation to support strategic planning. This funding aims to increase operating revenue and visitor numbers at the foundation's facility, as well as enhance online and on-site access to its library and archives.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that adenosine stress scans can identify women and men at high risk of death from heart disease. Diabetic women have a higher risk of cardiac death than diabetic men or other patients without diabetes, highlighting the importance of identifying patients at risk through effective therapies.
A long-term study of 299 adult sickle cell patients found that hydroxyurea treatment improved survival by increasing fetal hemoglobin and reducing severe pain episodes and chest syndrome. The results confirm the benefits of hydroxyurea in reducing complications in the sickest patients.
A recent study found that patients who have already had a silent stroke are at an increased risk of having another devastating stroke. The study, conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, also found that diabetes and high cholesterol levels can increase this risk.
The Carnegie Mellon, NASA collaboration aims to push the limits of technology in harsh environments using a robotic system that will use sensing and intelligence to find land forms or environmental conditions that could harbor life. The project involves annual field experiments in the Atacama Desert with an increasingly capable robot.
A two-year follow-up study shows participants with advanced PD experienced improvements in tremor, stiffness, slow movement, and balance. The new cell therapy, Spheramine, provided a source of increased dopamine production, maintaining initial gains up to 24 months post-treatment.
A clinical trial using VEGF gene transfer found no significant improvement in walking ability for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Researchers are exploring alternative approaches, including transcription factor-based therapies and cell therapy, to address the condition.
The THEMIS mission aims to pinpoint the location of substorms that produce auroral eruptions. Five satellites will track the motion of plasma along the sun-Earth line, providing insights into the processing of solar wind energy. The mission has the potential to resolve a long-standing problem in understanding space weather.
A study found that people with metabolic syndrome are 1.5 times more likely to develop a stroke than those without it, with women being 2.1 times more at risk. The condition is also associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and vascular-related deaths.
A study found that viral encephalitis can lead to severe movement disorders such as tremor, myoclonus, chorea, and ballismus. These disorders required heavy sedation or pharmacologic paralysis and resulted in significantly longer hospital stays compared to non-affected patients.
A study found that epilepsy surgery programs in developing countries can produce results comparable to those from developed countries using a carefully selected actuarial approach and the Seizure Scoring System. Researchers audited their program and identified factors most predictive of successful outcomes, yielding a nearly 60% succes...
Inhibition of RAGE suppressed neointimal formation in mice upon arterial injury and decreased SMC proliferation, migration, and expression of ECM proteins. Local mucosal immunization leads to antigen-specific IgA production at distant mucosal sites through the interaction between CCR10 and its mucosal epithelial ligand MEC.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that deep brain stimulation significantly improved dystonia symptoms in seven patients, with three experiencing near-complete resolution. The treatment showed promise as a safe and effective therapy for previously untreatable diseases.
Researchers found that women who participated in dietary consultation with a dietetics professional were more likely to maintain their low-fat eating habits and keep the weight off. The study also showed that different ethnic and racial backgrounds selected varying foods to reduce fat intake, highlighting the importance of cultural bac...
A new study suggests that nearly 90 percent of healthy diabetes patients have experienced brain volume loss, potentially contributing to cognitive decline. The research, led by Drs. Jitendra Sharma and Richard Chan, used MRI scans to compare brain health in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals within the same age cohort.
A new study suggests that early levodopa treatment may slow the rate of progression in Parkinson's disease. Levodopa treatment showed improved outcomes in patients with early Parkinson's disease compared to placebo.
A team of scientists has identified a molecule called bourgeonal that activates the human sperm receptor protein, which may play a critical role in fertilization. The discovery could lead to new non-toxic contraceptives and provide valuable insights into chemical communication during fertilization.
A single application of high-concentration capsaicin patches has been shown to provide significant long-term pain relief for patients with postherpetic neuralgia, a condition that often persists for years. The patch-based treatment avoids systemic side effects associated with traditional treatments.
Research found extensive changes in brain processing of simple motor movements in patients with all three illnesses. The primary motor cortex took over hand motion control in some cases, while others relied on the cerebellum for coordination.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered that thalidomide can effectively delay the progression of early-stage multiple myeloma in some patients. In a phase II clinical trial, approximately 80% of patients remained progression-free after one year and 63% were still free from disease progression after two years.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully reduced lignin content in aspen trees by 45-50% through genetic modification. This reduction increases cellulose content and accelerates tree growth, offering economic and environmental advantages for the wood, paper, and pulp industries.
A recent study found that genes determining breast density are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Additionally, researchers discovered a compound called YC-1 that slows tumor growth in mice by blocking angiogenesis, potentially leading to new cancer treatments.
A new study conducted in 33 Michigan hospitals shows significant improvements in the use of proven treatments and lifestyle counseling for heart attack patients. The study, led by researchers at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center, found that hospitals that implemented a system of reminders and checklists saw increases in ...
A new drug combination has been shown to delay disease progression and increase the longevity of mice with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The therapy, which combines minocycline, riluzole, and nimodipine, reduced muscle strength loss and nerve cell degeneration in ALS-mice.
More than 80% of traumatic brain injury patients surveyed believe alternative medicine (CAM) therapies like massage, meditation, and herbal medicine are effective. However, only half have discussed their use with physicians, raising concerns about the lack of transparency.
Researchers at Achillion Pharmaceuticals and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMBC) have identified a new class of compounds that inhibit a novel target in HIV. These compounds disrupt the assembly of the HIV-1 capsid protein, which is essential for viral maturation.
According to a study by the National Cancer Institute, approximately 10 million women in the US aged 35-79 are eligible for tamoxifen due to high breast cancer risk. After analyzing age-related benefits and risks, researchers found that younger women (40-59) have a higher likelihood of benefiting from the drug.
A nationwide study found that frovatriptan succinate prevented menstrually associated migraines (MAM) in as many as half the women evaluated. The drug significantly reduced MAM severity and duration, as well as patients' functional impairment and use of rescue medications.
A recent community-based clinical trial found that Keppra significantly reduced partial seizures in nearly 80% of elderly patients, aged 65 and older, with a median overall reduction in seizure frequency of 80.1%. The medication was well-tolerated, with a low incidence of side effects.
Researchers found that people living in walkable communities were more likely to leave their cars behind, suggesting that the physical environment plays a crucial role in shaping physical activity habits. The study's findings encourage policymakers to consider changes in neighborhood design as a way to promote better health.
A new imaging technique combining transesophageal magnetic resonance (TE MRI) with standard cardiac MRI provides better views of plaque buildup in the aorta. The combined approach revealed more detailed images of plaque thickness, area, and volume than individual techniques, showing promise for improved diagnosis.
A review of 176 patients found that the addition of Keppra led to complete seizure control in 22.3% of patients who had at least 12 months of treatment, with some also experiencing reduction or discontinuation of other anti-epileptic drugs.
Researchers are investigating new methods to combat cancer growth through computer models and cytotoxic treatments. They also discovered that a process called Auger emission can cause electrons to be emitted in well-defined directions by single molecules, leading to potential breakthroughs in physics research.
Dr. Shah will receive the ACC's Gifted Teacher Award for his teaching, and the Vulnerable Plaque Lifetime Achievement Award from AEHA for his pioneering research on preventing and reversing plaque buildup. These awards recognize his contributions to advancing cardiovascular care.
OHSU researchers have created the first animal model for episodic ataxia, a rare form of ataxia that causes patients to appear 'drunk' at times. The model helps understand and treat the disease, including how medication acetazolamide works.
A Danish study found that individuals exposed to contaminated poliovirus vaccine had no increased risk of cancer compared to those not exposed. The findings contradict previous laboratory and epidemiologic evidence suggesting a link between SV40 contamination and human cancer.
Researchers found that high doses of acetaminophen (up to 8g/day) were quickly eliminated from the bloodstream, with no accumulation or liver damage. The study's findings suggest that consumers can safely take higher doses than recommended, but emphasize the importance of adhering to the standard daily limit.
A six-month public smoking ban in Helena, Montana, significantly reduced acute myocardial infarction hospital admissions by nearly 60%. The study found that smoke-free environments not only protect against long-term secondhand smoke effects but also rapidly prevent heart attacks.
Tiger's eye was previously thought to be an example of pseudomorphism, but researchers have found that the stone's shimmering appearance is actually caused by the presence of crocidolite fibers. The discovery challenges a long-held theory on the formation of tiger's eye and provides new insights into its structure.
Researchers studied nondiabetic adults with a family history of diabetes and found they were 1.4 times more likely to develop coronary artery disease. Obese individuals were also at higher risk, defined by a body-mass index greater than 30, with a 2.2 times increased risk compared to normal weight individuals.
Researchers studied 65 families with bipolar disorder and found strong genetic 'linkage' to specific regions on chromosomes 13 and 22, suggesting common genes contributing to both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. These overlap genes may explain why the same anti-psychotic medications are effective treatments for both diseases.