A study by Taiwanese researchers found that swimming exercises can improve bone density and mechanical properties in growing rats, similar to weight-bearing exercise. However, the benefits of non-weight-bearing exercises like swimming on long bone biomechanical properties were not significant.
Self-referred whole-body CT scanning has grown rapidly, with 88 imaging centers nationwide and prices ranging from $795 to $1,215. Researchers caution that the technology's effectiveness is uncertain and potential risks include radiation exposure and false-positive results.
A study of college smokers found that many reported feeling 'invulnerable' to the negative health effects of smoking, despite recognizing general risks. The survey also revealed that these smokers often underestimate their own personal risk and may not associate certain respiratory problems with smoking.
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.