A new computer-based system, ACASI, was tested with Zimbabwean women, yielding more accurate data on key HIV risks. The tool helped overcome cultural issues and social desirability bias in face-to-face interviews.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new type of sensor that can detect hydrogen levels with incredible sensitivity. The titania nanotube sensors are 200 times more sensitive than previously used materials and offer several advantages, including high response rates and minimal interference from other gases.
The American Physiological Society (APS) has awarded over $33,000 to its 2003 undergraduate research fellows. The fellowships provide stipends and travel funds to support the research of talented young scientists.
A study of 181 sexually active Zimbabwean women found that diaphragms can be used without a partner's knowledge to prevent HIV transmission. The researchers suggest that this method could provide an additional tool for HIV prevention, particularly for women who do not have access to condoms or other forms of protection.
The study found that over half of the centers offering full-body scans were located on the east and west coasts, with California and New York having the largest concentrations. The researchers recommend stricter regulation to protect healthcare consumers from unregulated repeat exams and unwarranted expenditures.
UCSB scientists propose a new model for neuronal cell death in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting tau dysfunction leads to abnormal microtubule dynamics. This new theory has important implications for developing effective drugs to treat the disease.
The July/August 2003 Annals of Family Medicine issue addresses health care disparities and promotes evidence-based interventions to improve breastfeeding rates. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends structured educational classes and behavioral counseling to support breastfeeding, with programs combining these elements sho...
A new study provides a precise formula to lower CT radiation doses for pediatric patients, reducing abdominal doses by up to 80%. The technique charts offer guidance for both head and body CT scans for children from infancy to adolescence.
A study found that job stress may be a missing link between workplace exercise and heart risk. Leisure-time exercise benefits were substantial, with moderate exercisers having slower atherosclerosis progression than sedentary individuals.
A new anthrax inhibitor being researched by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute may be able to prevent the toxin from binding to human cells, thereby hindering its damage. This breakthrough could enable successful treatment of anthrax at later stages and save more lives.
Researchers found that reducing salt concentrations shrinks DNA toroids by shrinking both diameter and thickness. This discovery could improve gene delivery efficiency in gene therapy and DNA-based vaccines.
The ozone layer is showing signs of slowing down its destruction due to the global ban on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), according to a new study. The research team found that ozone depletion in the upper stratosphere has slowed since 1997, but the trend is not reflected in the lower stratosphere.
A recent UC Riverside study shows that glaciers once existed in the southernmost region of North America, as recently as 5,000-10,000 years ago. This finding has implications for understanding past climate change and testing the validity of computer models predicting future climate change.
A recent study reveals that physician assistants and primary care specialists like family physicians, nurse practitioners, and midwives are more likely to work in underserved areas. The researchers found a strong correlation between these professions and the provision of healthcare services in rural and urban shortage areas.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have successfully treated seven out of 12 children with complete DiGeorge Syndrome using a thymus transplant procedure. The transplants enabled the children's bodies to form new immune systems, leading to improved survival rates and reduced infections.
A study by K. Michael Cummings found that retailer compliance with laws prohibiting tobacco sales to minors more than doubled, from 35% in 1994 to 73% in 1995. However, the difference in smoking behavior between high and low compliance communities was small and not statistically significant.
A new technique uses interleukin-6 to store and transport fatty liver organs, potentially reducing damage and improving function after transplantation. The findings could increase the availability of liver transplants in the US, where approximately 40% of adults have fatty livers.
The US Department of Energy has awarded $102 million in grants to small businesses for innovative research projects focused on energy, environmental, and national security. The selected companies will explore the feasibility of their proposed innovations over the next year and may apply for further funding.
A study found that large amounts of Ki-67 antigen in cancer cells predict the growth and return of pilocytic astrocytoma, a common childhood brain tumor. The presence of this protein increases the risk of cancer recurrence or growth.
Researchers found that bacteria in mazes congregate in small rooms and dead-end pathways, suggesting a survival mechanism. This active seeking behavior could lead to new drugs disrupting the congregating behavior of harmful bacteria.
Researchers found that caspase cleavage of tau promotes the formation of abnormal filaments resembling tangles. This discovery provides a new link between amyloid-beta and tau tangles, suggesting a common cause for Alzheimer's disease.
A new study aims to reduce juvenile delinquency in rural areas by providing home-based, family-oriented health services and early intervention. The Rural Appalachia Project will work with opinion leaders to change social context and improve mental health treatment for children aged 9-17 with serious conduct problems.
A new study found that larger exposures to anthrax spores require longer antibiotic therapy. In low-exposure cases, sixty days of antibiotics provide adequate protection, but four months are needed for high-exposure situations.
Scientists discovered a single gene, PHAN, that regulates leaf shape in plants. The study found similar patterns of PHAN gene expression and leaf shape in over 500 plant species, suggesting a limited number of ways to change leaf shape.
Twelve invasive marine species have grown larger by up to 40%, including European green crabs and Chinese mitten crabs. The findings suggest that these animals are no longer held back by predators or parasites, leading to increased size.
The EU's Europe Against Cancer Programme has shown promising results in reducing cancer deaths across most European countries. However, tobacco use still poses a significant threat to public health, with many countries experiencing declining trends in cancer death rates while others struggle with rising rates.
A new three-year grant will help researchers better understand the causes and risk factors of ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that affects 30,000 people in the US. The study aims to investigate the link between a genetic mutation called Hfe and the onset and progression of ALS.
The study found that superintendents face barriers to reform due to micromanaging school boards, inflexible unions, and pressure groups. To improve student performance, districts need clearer authority to hire, fire, and adjust teachers, reconfigure bad schools, and adjust curricula.
Researchers at UT Southwestern discovered that administering the drug trichostatin A can effectively delay the start of labor in mice by allowing progesterone to continue functioning. This is significant because mice have a short gestation period, and pre-term birth affects over 460,000 infants annually.
Researchers have developed a mouse embryonic stem cell model that can differentiate into pancreatic precursor cells and islet cells producing four types of hormones. This study could provide valuable insights into normal pancreatic development and potentially lead to better stem cell-based therapies for diabetes.
A large study found that estrogen replacement therapy prolongs the QT interval, increasing risk for arrhythmia and heart problems. Women who used hormone therapy had a 50% higher odds of QT prolongation compared to those who never used hormones.
A study published in Animal Behaviour found that female fiddler crabs are attracted to burrows, not just male courtship signals. The researchers suggest that some male signals may be designed to keep females safe as they search for a mate.
A Canadian consortium, led by NOVA Chemicals and the Alberta Research Council Inc., has developed a new membrane technology to improve olefin production. The process aims to reduce energy costs and CO2 emissions in petrochemical plants, with potential economic and environmental benefits for industry and Canadians.
NYU scientists have developed a new mathematical method to analyze genetic data, reducing noise and errors in gene expression microarrays. The algorithm corrects for various types of errors and is expected to be widely incorporated in gene-related cancer research.
A study by Joslin Diabetes Center has identified a family of metabolic genes associated with type 2 diabetes risk. The research found that 55 genes showed altered activity in both people with diabetes and those at high risk for prediabetes, suggesting a continuum from normal to diabetic states.
A molecule called nitric oxide is a natural regulator of new neurons in the adult brain. Blocking nitric oxide production stimulates neural stem cell proliferation, increasing brain neuron generation and contributing to the adult brain's architecture.
A new system allows for continuous monitoring of mortality rates in general practices, helping identify unusual trends and potential areas for improvement. The tool can aid in spotting high-quality care by highlighting low mortality rates.
Recent studies establish that beta-amyloid activates caspases, cutting tau at its tangle-blocking end and generating abnormal filaments. This process occurs before neuronal apoptosis, promoting death of the neuron.
Researchers found that rotational deceleration increases with higher falls and harder surfaces, leading to more severe diffuse brain injuries. Inflicted impacts on hard surfaces are likely to cause subdural hemorrhage and possibly diffuse axonal injury.
The report provides a sober assessment of nanotechnology's possibilities, distinguishing between current applications, potential future advancements, and unfeasible goals. It also explores the role of social science in nanotechnology development, highlighting opportunities to anticipate and incorporate implications into the technology.
Researchers at Purdue University have made a significant breakthrough in creating a method to keep embryonic stem cells of zebrafish viable, enabling them to study gene function related to human diseases. This innovation has the potential to reduce time and costs associated with researching gene function, making zebrafish a more attrac...
A Hong Kong study found that music instruction aids verbal memory, with trained students recalling significantly more words and retaining them longer than untrained peers. Verbal learning performance improved in proportion to musical training duration.
A UCSF-led team has identified a potential cancer susceptibility gene, the Ile31 variation of the Aurora2 gene, which disrupts cell regulatory controls and increases cancer risk. The study suggests that low penetrance genes can confer significant susceptibility to cancer.
Researchers found that anemia is an independent risk factor for physical decline in older adults, leading to increased risk of nursing home admission, disability, and death. The study suggests that treating anemia may help preserve physical function.
A study by University of Virginia Health System found that drivers with type-1 diabetes are more likely to be involved in car crashes and experience hypoglycemic episodes. The study revealed that only 20% of type-1 diabetic drivers were at increased risk, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment to mitigate this risk.
Researchers developed a speech-in-multitalker-babble test instrument to examine the effects of hearing loss on self-perceived quality of life. The test improved word recognition performance with repeated exposure to sentence materials, and showed that wheelchair riders face no increased risk of injury in large city buses.
A large study by the University of Michigan Health System found that entrenched attitudes, lack of communication, and limited data contribute to the controversy. The researchers surveyed nearly 1,000 doctors and analyzed state-by-state variation in hand surgery rates.
A new study reveals that elevated carbon dioxide levels can improve corn growth during drought periods, increasing photosynthesis by up to 41% in some cases. The findings suggest that C4 plants like corn may benefit from rising CO2 levels, but other factors such as ozone levels could still impact crop yields.
Tuomas Sandholm's work focuses on constructing electronic marketplaces that lead to economically desirable outcomes. His research has led to significant savings for Fortune 500 companies, exceeding $300 million.
A recent study found that symptoms of depression are a consistent predictor of shortened survival in cancer patients. After accounting for other factors, researchers discovered that depressive symptoms were the most significant psychological indicator of poor outcomes.
Dr. Och's system uses statistical models and parallel data to find the most likely translation for a given input, outperforming traditional approaches that rely on grammatical rules and vocabulary lists.
A study by Michelle J. Hindin found that younger women in rural areas, with lower education and income, were more likely to justify wife beating. In contrast, urban women from wealthy households or those with shared education were less likely to do so.
Researchers found that intracranial gliomas damage the thymus, weakening T cells and preventing a large-scale attack on the tumor. The study suggests that glucocorticoids produced by the adrenal glands contribute to this effect, and highlights the importance of recent thymic emigrant T cells in anti-glioma immunity.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden and EMBL in Heidelberg have counted the number of proteins that help an egg cell divide. They found that there are more motors pulling on one side, which can pull the centrosome off-center, leading to proper development of the embryo.
Older adults with mild anemia are 1.5 times more likely to experience physical decline, according to a study published by the National Institute on Aging. Those with anemia or borderline anemia show greater declines in physical performance, including balance, walking speed, and chair rise ability.
Scientists have found that colloidal particle clusters exhibit beautiful and unexpected symmetry, obeying a simple mathematical principle. The discovery may have implications for understanding the atomic-scale structure of liquids and the properties of matter.
A new study suggests that human activities are a leading cause of warming in the troposphere and cooling in the stratosphere. The research team found that ozone depletion combined with greenhouse gas emissions accounted for most of the recent rise in the tropopause height.
A study has shown that using larger laser treatment zones can safely correct nearsightedness and astigmatism in patients with large pupils. Nearly 56% of patients achieved uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better, while nearly 62% achieved the same level in patients with astigmatism.
Researchers found that the Hawaiian hotspot drifted southward between 47-81 million years ago, contradicting the traditional stationary plume theory. This discovery sheds light on terrestrial dynamics and raises fundamental questions about the mantle's role in controlling plate motions.
A study by geneticists from Stanford and Harvard Universities reveals that humpback, fin, and minke whale populations in the North Atlantic were much higher before commercial hunting. The researchers estimated that there were around 800,000 to 900,000 whales, contradicting previous whaling records.