A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery linking black hole growth to galaxy evolution. The study found that more than 20,000 galaxies contain growing black holes, mostly in massive galaxies with recent star formation. As the rate of black hole growth increases, so does the amount of recent star formation.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have triggered a protective immune response in mice, significantly reducing atherosclerosis by 60% through immunization. The study aims to develop a vaccine to interrupt the inflammatory process and prevent heart attacks and strokes.
A new treatment approach blocks liver tumor angiogenesis by manipulating the Tie2 receptor. In mice with colon cancer metastasis to the liver, this approach shrinks tumors and extends survival. The mean survival time increased significantly compared to control mice and endostatin-treated mice.
A new theory on aging, proposed by Ronald D. Lee, suggests that natural selection favors animals capable of devoting energy to insure survival of the next generation. This theory attempts to fill in gaps of previous ideas on aging and its relationship with nurturing behavior.
Researchers used RNA interference to impair cancer cells' ability to produce telomerase, resulting in a 85% shortening of telomeres over 75 days. The technique reduces but doesn't fully block telomerase production, paving the way for potential therapy against most cancers.
A study found that only 10% of sore throat cases are caused by bacteria, making antibiotic treatment without diagnosis ineffective. The traditional culture method was the most effective and least expensive way to diagnose strep throat, despite its limitations.
Women who developed Alzheimer's disease between ages 79 and 88 were significantly more likely to have been overweight at age 70. A moderate, healthy weight seems to be best according to the study.
A large-scale study will test three weight-maintenance strategies: self-directed/usual care, personal contact, and interactive technology. Participants who lose 9 or more pounds in the initial phase will be eligible to enroll in phase II.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist has received a five-year federal grant to develop a model tobacco intervention curriculum, covering smoking and smokeless tobacco use. The program aims to integrate the curriculum into all four years of medical school curricula and will incorporate culturally sensitive strategies.
Pediatricians are urging parents to limit their child's exposure to smoking in movies to reduce the chances of starting to smoke and drink. Research suggests that adolescents see thousands of depictions of smoking by movie stars, influencing their attitude and behavior.
CYC202 demonstrates significant cancer cell death, with 54% of patients testing positive for apoptosis following single agent treatment. Seven patients experienced long-lasting tumour stabilisation in Phase I trials, showcasing potential for selective treatment based on genetic profiles.
A randomized pilot study found that alternating two triple-drug regimens every three months significantly reduced drug failure and kept the viral load suppressed. However, a cost-effectiveness study identified four strategies to determine if a sore throat is caused by bacterial infection, reducing inappropriate antibiotic use.
A study found a strong correlation between genetic polymorphisms in two genes and lung cancer risk in smokers. Mutations in both XPD and cyclin D1 (CCND1) occurred more often in lung cancer patients, increasing the risk of lung cancer among individuals with a smoking history.
A study has identified three chromosomal regions that appear to hold genes affecting low response to alcohol. This research may lead to a better understanding of how genes contribute to alcohol dependence and help develop new treatments.
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center discovered that age-related stem cell loss prevents artery repair and leads to atherosclerosis. The researchers found that bone marrow-derived vascular progenitor cells play a critical role in determining the onset and progression of atherosclerosis.
A new study reveals that Katie Couric's on-air colonoscopy led to a significant increase in colon cancer screenings nationwide. Colonoscopy rates jumped over 20% in the days and months following Couric's test, sustained for nearly a year. The 'Katie Couric Effect' also showed an increase in screenings among women and people under age 50.
Researchers Jody O'Sullivan and Pierre Moulin have developed a theory that sets fundamental limits on the amount of information that can be reliably hidden in various data types. This breakthrough has significant implications for security applications, including detecting forgery and intercepting terrorist messages.
A Penn State sociologist analyzed five NBC sitcoms from 1997-98, finding a high rate of gender harassment and a lower but still troubling rate of sexual harassment. The researcher argues that these incidents perpetuate a hostile work environment and minimize the seriousness of sexual harassment.
Researchers have developed molecular markers that can predict radiation-induced late toxicity and disease recurrence in prostate cancer. The study used apoptosis assays to evaluate cell death induced by radiation, revealing correlations between lymphocyte apoptosis and toxicities.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry has identified a sex-specific gene variant associated with an increased risk of developing severe depression in women. Over 80% of women who inherited the CREB1 variant developed depressive disorders, highlighting the importance of considering sex-specific factors in depression research.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that focusing on step-by-step goals for patients during daily rounds improves patient safety and satisfaction. The study involved 112 patients in the ICU and showed a significant decrease in hospital stays and an increase in staff understanding of recovery goals.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified a gene that protects potatoes from late blight, a fungal pathogen responsible for the Irish potato famine. The discovery holds significant potential to save farmers hundreds of millions of dollars and benefit the environment by reducing toxic chemical applications.
Research identifies factors increasing risk of psychosocial problems among disabled children, including learning and communication difficulties, family stress, and mothers' mental health. The study analyzed data from over 3,300 children aged 6-17 with disabilities, finding that 11% experienced psychosocial issues.
Researchers have developed novel compounds that significantly improve anti-cancer therapy outcomes. The AvastinTM clinical trial shows that bevacizumab, an anti-angiogenesis agent, can slow or stop tumor growth and increase patient survival when combined with chemotherapy.
Researchers have discovered that brain stem cells can be transplanted without being rejected by the immune system, thanks to their unique properties. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for eye diseases such as blindness.
New lab results show no recombination of porcine and human retroviruses, reducing the risk of PERV transmission to humans. This finding supports Immerge's progress toward clinical xenotransplantation research.
A study by Andrew Steptoe and colleagues found that lower-level civil servants showed higher biological stress responses, including heart rate and cortisol levels, compared to their high-status counterparts. The study suggests that the experience of lower social status may trigger these responses.
Researchers used satellite data and a computer model to study ozone formation, finding that lightning strikes in tropical Atlantic may be a major contributor. The study combined data from multiple NASA satellites and a Canadian computer model to make the surprising discovery.
The updated Guidelines provide practitioners with a list of suggested combination regimens for the initiation of antiretroviral therapy, taking into consideration factors such as potency, toxicities, and dosing frequency. The revised document aims to simplify the process of selecting an effective treatment regimen for HIV/AIDS patients.
A study found that Alzheimer's disease alters a protein called calbindin in brain cells, leading to cognitive deficits. Calbindin levels in granule cells were strongly correlated with cognitive decline in genetically engineered mice and human patients.
Long-term, heavy smoking significantly increases prostate cancer risk in middle-aged men, with double the risk of aggressive forms. Current smokers also face a 40% higher risk compared to nonsmokers.
A recent study found that women with higher plasma cysteine levels had a significantly reduced risk of developing breast cancer. The association was strongest among leaner women, suggesting potential chemopreventive benefits against breast cancer.
Scientists found that the biological clock in mice and rats responds to temperature changes rather than light signals. This discovery has significant implications for understanding jet lag and could lead to new treatments for related conditions.
A study found that doctors and mental-health professionals often fail to address alcohol consumption during visits, even when patients have multiple health or social problems. This missed opportunity can lead to inadequate treatment referrals and counseling.
Pilots who used nicotine gum or donepezil performed better in flight simulator tasks than control groups, while those who consumed alcohol showed impaired skills. The study suggests that nicotine and donepezil may help pilots cope with long flights without cigarettes.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a mechanism that determines early blood cell fate by interacting with two related proteins, GATA-2 and GATA-1. This finding may help hematologists treat patients with severe cancer or blood disorders by expanding HSC numbers.
Researchers found significant genetic differentiation among Anolis lizard populations on Caribbean islands, revealing unexpected dimensions of biodiversity. The study suggests that multiple species may be present within a single island's ecosystem, and factors such as geography and ecology could be driving the DNA evolution.
UT Southwestern researchers have defined sites in human genes most prone to mutation, which could lead to discovery of genetic bases of many human diseases. The study identified distinctive DNA sequence patterns and rules for predicting mutations.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that middle-aged and older alcoholics are at greater risk for suicide than young alcoholic adults. The researchers also discovered an association between increased age, mood disorders, and medically serious suicide attempts.
A Phase III trial found that pemetrexed and cisplatin significantly improved one-year survival rates for mesothelioma patients to 56.5%, compared to 41.9% for those receiving only cisplatin.
Research finds a direct relationship between puffins' breeding success and temperature, with warm waters hindering their ability to catch fish and abandon chicks. The study warns of potential extinctions if warming continues or increases in frequency.
Researchers identified 58 genes dissimilar between normal and left-sided tumor samples, and 118 between normal and right-sided tumor samples. The study provides new insights into why some patients respond to treatment while others do not.
David Botstein, known as 'The Father of Modern Genetics', was awarded the 2003 Gruber Prize for his groundbreaking work on human genetic mapping and the discovery of transposons in bacteria. He will continue to lead research at Princeton University's Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics.
Researchers found a direct link between low dose cadmium exposure and increased risk for breast cancer in female rats. Cadmium mimics estrogen's effects, leading to changes in mammary gland density and uterine weight, similar to early onset of breast cancer.
Scientists have confirmed a new target for treating skin cancer by identifying the JNK2 enzyme. When JNK2 is lacking, skin cells are inhibited or delayed in response to UVB light. This delay could lead to a reduction in nonmelanoma skin cancer development.
A study at Duquesne University found that black cohosh, commonly used for menopausal symptoms, may promote progression to metastatic disease in women with early stage breast cancer. The research suggests women who develop breast cancer or are at high risk should proceed with caution or avoid taking the herbal extract.
Researchers have developed a new generation of targeted cancer therapies using bispecific antibodies that target multiple proteins in cancer cells, increasing radiation sensitivity and specificity. The therapy is expected to improve treatment outcomes for patients with breast and ovarian cancers.
Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have found that oxaliplatin can effectively treat human cancers resistant to other platinum-based therapies. The drug works differently than cisplatin and shows promise in combination with radiation therapy for patients with earlier stages of rectal cancer.
Researchers have discovered a new bone-targeted mTOR inhibitor that decreases both tumor proliferation and bone breakdown for the treatment of bone cancer. Additionally, studies have shown efficacy of radioimmunotherapy using radiolabeled HerceptinTM in combination with gemcitabine in treating intraperitoneal disease.
A new study suggests that telomere dysfunction may play a causal role in human intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN) found in precancers. Short telomeres were found in the majority of precursor lesions across various types of cancers, indicating potential early molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development.
A recent study by A. A. Hoffmann et al. found that the fruit fly Drosophila birchii lacks genetic variation to adapt to changing thermal conditions, a concern for endangered species. UC Riverside's Derek Roff warns that global warming may exacerbate this issue, threatening the survival of already endangered species.
A new test using ProPSA detected prostate cancer at lower PSA levels, identifying more aggressive forms of the disease. The test improved detection of early aggressive cancer in men who may not have been caught until it was too late.
A study found that applying a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug cream to the skin reduced muscle soreness by 37-45% in healthy males after exercise. This method avoids systemic side effects associated with oral NSAID use, which are common among patients.
Professor Marchant's research team will analyze how new genomic data can be integrated into existing laws and regulations, as well as identify ethical and policy considerations for using genetic data in environmental decision-making. The goal is to develop criteria for using human genome data in environmental regulation.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have made accurate measurements of waiting-point nuclei masses, confirming theories of how X-ray bursts are produced. The unique ATLAS facility enabled precise determination of the selenium-68 nucleus mass, with a precision 30 times higher than previous measurements.
Researchers identified 'dominance complementation' as a key factor in hybrid vigor, revealing that hybrids benefit from genes and regulatory factors beyond simple parent combinations. This discovery could lead to stronger, healthier, or more productive corn strains.
Plant fertility depends on understanding how pollen tubes navigate towards egg cells. Researchers identified a key molecular signaling system involving gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) that guides pollen tube growth.
Researchers use unzipping force analysis of protein association (UFAPA) to study protein-DNA interactions, predicting applications in genomic sequencing and drug development.
New study enhances earlier paper on congestive heart failure analysis by adding clinical data, enabling mortality risk determination. Researchers also discover new type of superconductor that carries more current and remains stable in higher magnetic fields. Additionally, carbon nanotube transistors exhibit performance improvements reg...
Researchers used blood samples to analyze protein patterns and determine if biopsies were necessary. The test showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 67%, suggesting it could save over 50% of biopsies. The study's results may lead to more accurate cancer detection and tailored therapy for individual patients.