Researchers have created a new RNAi vector called pDECAP that allows for tissue-specific suppression of gene expression in mammals. This breakthrough technology enables the efficient exploration of gene function by avoiding the antiviral response to foreign dsRNA, a major complication in mammalian RNAi research.
Research reveals that survivors of childhood cancer are experiencing significant sleep disturbances even years after completing treatment. The University of Minnesota study aims to investigate the causes and effects of these issues.
Researchers developed a new method to assess breast cancer patients' prognosis by analyzing 185 genes. The study found that tumors with specific gene expressions can predict long-term survival, even among women with multiple positive nodes.
A phase II study of a multiepitope CD8 T-cell vaccine has demonstrated promising results, inducing an immune response in 32% of patients with metastatic melanoma. The vaccine showed significant correlations with non-progression of disease and longer survival rates.
A study by Chandra P. Belani and colleagues found that elderly patients with advanced NSCLC can tolerate combination therapy safely and effectively, with median survival rates comparable to those of younger patients. The treatment regimens used in the study were weekly paclitaxel in combination with full doses of carboplatin.
Scientists have successfully induced the growth of new sensory hair cells in adult guinea pigs using gene therapy. The Math1 gene was inserted into non-sensory epithelial cells lining the inner ear, leading to the formation of new hair cells and attracting the growth of new fibers from auditory neurons.
In a Phase II clinical trial, C225 and docetaxel combination achieved a 25.5% tumor shrinkage rate in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients, significantly higher than the median response rate of 5-10%. The results are encouraging and suggest further development of this treatment approach.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that muscle capillaries respond differently to exercise in men and women. Women's skeletal muscle increased in capillary density after 24 weeks of supervised exercise training, while men did not. Both genders showed similar improvements in exercise capacity.
Researchers identify Plcg1 as a crucial regulator of arterial cell fate during development, contradicting previous assumptions about blood vessel formation. The study uses zebrafish as a model organism to uncover novel insights into vascular development and its potential applications in human disease.
A Phase II study shows that administering ADVEXIN, a p53 drug, directly to tumors can improve the results of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer. The treatment resulted in dramatic tumor shrinkage and minimal residual tumor cells.
A team of researchers from Imperial College London has identified a protein called HSP27 that could help reduce cell death in the brain, potentially slowing down neuro-degenerative diseases. The study used transgenic mice with high levels of HSP27, which showed reduced mortality and neuronal cell death.
A study by Margaret A. Chesney found that noninjection drug use and unprotected receptive anal sex were the most likely predictors of risky sexual behavior among gay men, accounting for only one-third of cases. One-on-one counseling tailored to individual behaviors may be effective in preventing new HIV infections.
The XENDOS study shows that Xenical significantly improves weight loss, waist measurement, blood pressure, triglyceride levels, fasting plasma glucose, and HDL cholesterol in patients with Metabolic Syndrome. The treatment also reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by 36%.
The guidelines recommend close monitoring of modifiable risk factors like obesity and immunosuppressive therapy, as well as careful selection of immunosuppressive agents. Effective management can reduce patient numbers affected and ensure long-term success of the transplant, maintaining quality of life and reducing healthcare costs.
A survey of 793 physicians found that doctors identified smoking status at 81% of visits but only provided counseling to quit 23% of the time. The study also found that geography and race played a role in whether smokers received counseling, with rural and southern physicians less likely to provide guidance.
Two Penn researchers, Mitchell Lazar and Virginia Lee, have been awarded $500K Bristol-Myers Squibb unrestricted research grants to support their groundbreaking work in hormone regulation and Alzheimer's disease. The grants will further enable them to focus on translating their findings into medical practice.
This article explores the use of computer technology to improve rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and hearing losses. Studies demonstrate the effectiveness of neuroprosthetics, equinometers, brain-computer interfaces, telemedicine, and computer head controls in enhancing health, redu...
Researchers Barany and Hammett found that forests and non-timber forest products are crucial for household coping strategies, offering low-cost alternatives to meet nutritional needs. Medicinal plants from these resources can treat conditions related to HIV/AIDS, making them a vital priority for conservation and management efforts.
A recent study by Dr. Wieslaw E. Kozak found that nitric oxide has a distinct role in fever regulation, involving three different enzymes: neuronal nitric oxide synthase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase. The researchers used knockout mice to study the impact of these enzymes on fever response.
A study of TB patients found that females, older individuals, and those born in Asia were at higher risk for serious side effects. The six-minute walking test showed a significant improvement in distance walked with a continuous course versus a straight out-and-back course.
The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has received a $600,000 grant from the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) to develop advanced video surveillance systems for public safety. The project aims to improve the ability to detect and track potential terrorists using 'smart' cameras that can adapt to various lighting conditions.
The University of Minnesota is leading a new initiative to create standardized safety protocols for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the agricultural biotechnology industry. This effort aims to address concerns about GMO safety and reduce regulatory stalemates.
Researchers found that cooling the brain to 33 degrees Celsius increased survival rates and reduced microscopic brain injury by half. Hypothermia treatment also stimulated brain recovery by increasing growth factors derived from glia-cells in the brain.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that moderate exercise, equivalent to 11 miles of brisk walking or jogging per week, was preferred over high-intensity exercise. Participants in the supervised program tended to move towards a regimen more similar to the moderate group after completion.
Researchers found that early exposure to probiotics Lactobacillus GG reduced the risk of atopic eczema by 40% in children at four years old. The study suggests a potential preventive effect against eczema in infancy and childhood.
Researchers found that CEM15 renders HIV dead by altering DNA, causing mutations and preventing replication. The virus can subvert this system, enabling it to make numerous mutations and evade the host's defense.
Researchers found that molecules' apparent on-off conductivity was due to a weak bond with the gold surface, breaking contact and turning electrical connection off. The team confirmed this finding through experiments at varying temperatures, ruling out other explanations.
Functional MRI can help identify tumor heterogeneity and biological quirks that predict response to treatment. The imaging technology offers insight into a tumor's character beyond its superficial structure, enabling targeted therapies for specific sites.
Researchers found that varicocele treatment had no significant effect on pregnancy rates among subfertile couples. Despite this, men with varicoceles still experience lower sperm quality and quantity due to testicular damage.
The Lancet's editorial highlights the connection between economic instability, poverty, and the risk of civil conflict. The World Bank and WHO reports support this warning, emphasizing the need for collective action to avoid repeating past century's evils.
Ouderkirk invented multilayer optical film technology, challenging Brewster's Law and revolutionizing optics. His invention has numerous applications in diverse fields like electronics, automotive, and medical imaging.
DuPont researchers developed a new way to make methyl isocyanate on site, reducing hazardous material handling by thousands of pounds. The approach has changed the company's handling of many hazardous chemicals, enhancing its environmental safety.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a new approach to using quantum dots for biological studies of living animals, achieving high-resolution three-dimensional images inside living tissue. The technique, known as multiphoton microscopy with quantum-dot imaging, outperforms conventional methods by 1,000 times in brightness and re...
A study by Wildlife Conservation Society argues that India's tiger counting method using pugmarks is flawed and leads to poor conservation. The authors suggest adopting simpler, statistically sound monitoring methods such as sample surveys and encounter-rate surveys.
Researchers predict nicotine inhalers will be safer than cigarettes, reducing premature death from coronary artery disease, respiratory-tract cancers, and other causes. Studies suggest widespread use of inhalers could significantly reduce smoking-related illnesses and meet the Healthy People 2010 goal
Researchers identified 79 new regulatory sites in yeast genomes, revising the estimated number of genes from 6,331 to 5,773. These sites play a crucial role in regulating gene expression and development, with implications for understanding human diseases such as cancer.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new method to accurately measure quantities of a cheese-ripening enzyme in milk. The study combines infrared spectroscopy with statistical analysis to determine the concentration of plasminogen, enabling the creation of a model of the enzyme system function.
The UK is experiencing an increased rate of gonorrhoea infection due to growing antibiotic resistance, particularly with ciprofloxacin. The Health Protection Agency recommends reviewing national and local treatment guidelines to ensure effective treatment using alternative antibiotics such as cephalosporins or spectinomycin.
The study reveals African Americans are more likely to make environmentally-friendly lifestyle choices and prioritize environmental issues. Despite this, they face poorer environmental conditions in their neighborhoods, sparking greater concern than their white counterparts.
A study found that prenatal exposure to a diabetic environment from mothers with type 1 diabetes is associated with increased occurrence of impaired glucose tolerance and a defective insulin secretory response in adult offspring. This effect was observed independently of genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes.
The research team successfully cloned a mule, marking the first time a hybrid animal has been cloned. The cloning process uses fetal cell culture established in 1998 at the University of Idaho and demonstrates potential for advancing understanding of human cancer.
Researchers show that SOCS3 slows macrophage activation initiated by IL-6, and discover an unexpected pathway causing fatal inflammatory responses in humans., The study adds to understanding of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in immune system cells.
Recent RHESSI detection suggests gamma-ray bursts originate from highly structured magnetic fields, stronger than neutron star surfaces. This finding implies a dramatic shift in understanding the physics behind these explosive events.
Engineers studied the impacts of 9/11 on the World Trade Center, discovering factors that minimized infrastructure disruption. The study highlighted the importance of wireless communication, compartmentalized electrical systems, and heroic actions by utility workers.
Researchers at Ohio University are exploring ways to integrate coal with fuel cells to produce clean energy. They plan to conduct experiments to improve the efficiency of syngas, a gas mixture produced from coal gasification, which contains hazardous contaminants that can damage fuel cells.
Researchers challenge assumption that poverty is a risk factor for non-adherence to HIV medication regimens, citing high treatment adherence rates in South African studies. The editorial argues that delivery systems may compromise confidentiality and risk stigmatization if not based on clear evidence.
Scientists have successfully imaged a double-wall carbon nanotube at atomic resolution using an electron nanodiffraction technique. This breakthrough enables the determination of the structure of non-periodic objects, including biological macromolecules, much like X-ray diffraction does for crystals.
Christopherson, a 18-year teaching veteran, wins regional award for her engaging chemistry instruction and commitment to technology integration. Her goal is to prepare students for success in a global community, fostering interest in science and learning.
Research finds that mutant bacteria respond differently to stress than previously thought, with stresses alleviating deleterious mutation effects. The study challenges the long-held assumption that stress always harms an organism's ability to tolerate mutations.
A study conducted by Ohio State University researchers found that kefir improved lactose digestion and reduced symptoms of lactose intolerance. Kefir was shown to reduce flatulence frequency by over half compared to milk.
Researchers have discovered that equine cloning can provide insights into human cancer causes, particularly in relation to calcium levels within cells. The study found that horses have lower intracellular calcium and slower cell activity rates compared to humans, which may contribute to their lower mortality rate from metastatic cancer.
A new study suggests that PTEN dysfunction is responsible for 30-60% of melanomas and offers a potential therapeutic approach to kill cancer cells. The introduction of PTEN into melanoma cells could be a useful treatment option, but the cancer cells may eventually learn to evade this approach.
The STAT program uses a combination of antibody tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect acute HIV infections, which are often missed by routine testing. The approach has resulted in a 4% increase in new HIV diagnoses in North Carolina and has shown promise for reducing transmission and saving lives.
A study by Dr. Barbara Andersen and Kristen Carpenter found that women with gynecological cancers face significant sexual adjustment issues due to complex recovery processes. The researchers identified key factors influencing sexual adjustment, including relationship satisfaction and emotional state.
A new 3D map of local space reveals the Sun at the center of an irregular cavity, surrounded by a dense wall of gas. The map suggests that interlocking cavities and tunnels were created by supernovas or strong stellar winds.
Researchers discovered that blinking behavior in single-molecule wires is caused by temporary breaks in chemical bonds between the molecule and gold contacts. The study highlights limitations of the current gold surface material for electronic circuits.
Researchers have isolated a potent antifungal compound from the common seaweed species Lobophora variegata, revealing an unusual chemical structure. This discovery presents new insights into ecological interactions between marine organisms and offers possibilities for biomedical applications.
A study found that over half of illicitly distilled moonshine samples contained high levels of lead, a toxic substance that can harm those who abuse it. The researcher hopes to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking moonshine.
The XMM-Newton satellite has discovered a faint X-ray glow from a very hot gas in the disk of the Andromeda Galaxy, suggesting recent star formation. Additionally, the team detected an accreting X-ray pulsar, a strongly magnetized neutron star drawing in material from its neighbor.
A Cumbria study finds a 17% higher risk of neural tube defects and 12% higher heart defect risk near incinerators, but no increased risk for babies born before their operational period. The authors suggest further investigation due to limited emissions data.