Researchers found that statin use was associated with a 50% reduced risk of developing wet AMD, while aspirin use was linked to a 40% lower risk. The study suggests that these medications may prevent irreversible vision loss in older adults.
Researchers at Purdue University have identified a method to identify chemical compounds that can be added to pesticides to overcome insect resistance. The approach, which was tested on fruit flies, shows promise for increasing the effectiveness of current pesticides and reducing the need for new ones.
A study by the Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group found that approximately two-fifths of persons aged 40 and older with DM are affected by diabetic retinopathy, while one in twelve have reached a vision-threatening stage. The prevalence rates were estimated using data from eight population-based eye surveys.
Researchers found that patients taking newer antipsychotics had less than one-third the incidence of violent behavior compared to those on older conventional medications. The study, which followed 229 patients with schizophrenia for two years, suggests that these medications may be more effective in reducing violence.
A study published in Endocrine Practice found that continuous insulin monitoring and endocrinologist involvement did not increase the cost of treating diabetic patients undergoing CABG surgery. The protocol showed significantly better glycemic control, leading to shorter hospital stays and fewer deep sternal wound infections.
The prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is estimated to be 1.47% in the US population aged 40 and older, with an expected increase to 2.95 million cases by 2020. The risk of AMD increases dramatically with age, especially among white individuals.
Researchers found that patients with kidney transplants from donors aged 55-79 had comparable allograft survival rates as those from younger donors. The study also revealed that older recipient patients may benefit from receiving kidneys from older deceased or living donors, particularly those facing prolonged waiting times on dialysis.
The length of hospital stay for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has significantly shortened over the past few decades, from six weeks in the 1950s to less than one week today. Despite this decline, there is considerable variation in hospitalization duration among AMI patients.
The Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group has conducted large, population-based studies to determine the prevalence of cataract, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye disorders. The estimates are likely to be reliable and available without waiting many years and spending tens of millions of dollars.
Researchers found that nearly one-quarter of hospitalized individuals with current alcohol use disorders had undetected diagnoses, and only half of detected cases received intervention or treatment referral. The study highlights the need for routine screening and education among medical professionals to address this issue.
A recent UC Berkeley-led study found that vitamin C supplements can decrease levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) by 24% in healthy adults. CRP is a biomarker of inflammation linked to chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
Diabetic retinopathy, a leading eye complication in people with type 1 diabetes, affects nearly 774,000 Americans under age 30. The prevalence is highest among 40-49 year olds and older, driven by aging US population.
Researchers found that embryonic keratinocytes differentiate into skin cells much sooner than cells after birth. The study suggests a higher commitment to differentiation in embryonic skin cells, which may apply to other epithelial tissues.
A commentary by Pauls and Downie argues that mandatory reporting could erode trust between patients and physicians. Ovens, writing on behalf of the OMA's Section on Emergency Medicine, counters that exceptions exist to protect patient confidentiality while maintaining public safety.
A study of police officers in Australia found that they rate the accuracy of a profile more when they think it was written by a professional profiler, regardless of its actual content. The researchers suggest that this bias can lead to false positives and undermine the effectiveness of profiling.
The study found that approximately one-third of people older than 40 experience vision disturbances, with myopia being the most prevalent eye disorder. The estimated prevalence rates for myopia vary by region, affecting about one in four people in the US and Western Europe, and one in six Australians.
A study found that over a third of patients are interested in reading their medical records, with the most common reasons being to understand their condition and be more involved in healthcare. Patients who want to review their records are often those seeking alternative health information and have concerns about errors in care.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that extended lymph node dissection does not increase long-term survival among gastric cancer patients, potentially increasing morbidity and hospital mortality. The procedure may only be beneficial if safe and effective alternatives can be developed.
A study by Ohio State University suggests that rewards for high-performing schools and strong district support are key to successful accountability systems. Research found that sanctions led to teacher disengagement and ineffective professional development.
Researchers developed a new method to alter gene expression levels without disrupting essential control elements. This technique uses the 3' untranslated region (UTR) to influence protein production, allowing for predictable and controlled changes in gene expression.
A majority of US immigrant adults perform at the lowest literacy level, with those having higher literacy proficiencies showing better labor market outcomes and wages.
A study examining health care benefits and disadvantages when physicians treat themselves found that even doctors who disapprove of self-doctoring may do so due to lack of thought. Benefits include convenience and control, but also risks such as delayed care and ignoring medical instincts.
A new AAN guideline has resolved debate surrounding the role of Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) in stroke risk. The guideline found no evidence to support or refute closing PFOs, but notes an increased risk for younger patients with both a PFO and atrial septal aneurysm (ASA). Further research is needed to determine the best treatment options.
Diverse classes of antimicrobial peptides share a common structural signature, revealing fundamental interactions between host and pathogen. This discovery offers new insights into immune defense and drives technology to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
Mortality rates among homeless women aged 18-44 are significantly higher than the general population, with a 10-fold increased risk of death. The authors suggest addressing addictions, HIV infection, and mental health issues through targeted programs to save lives.
Researchers found that a gene variation associated with schizophrenia may have an evolutionary advantage, promoting human survival. The HOPA12pb polymorphism is more common in men and may be involved in resistance to infection and infant survival.
The prevalence of cataracts among Americans over 40 is estimated at 17.2%, with 20.5 million affected, and expected to rise to 30.1 million by 2020. Women are almost 40% more likely to develop cataract than men.
Researchers found that ultrasound treatment didn't hasten healing for muscle contusions in rats. In fact, the treated muscles healed at the same rate as non-treated muscles, suggesting no physiological benefit from ultrasound.
Scientists have found that nighttime chemistry removes nitrogen oxides from the marine boundary layer off New England's coast, leading to reduced ozone production. This process can short-circuit some ozone formation and affects air quality forecasts.
Research suggests that community-acquired pneumonia patients who are discharged from the hospital may face a higher risk of mortality in the subsequent 2-3 years if they have certain predictors, such as increasing age and cardiovascular disease. The study also found no excess mortality in younger patients without accompanying diseases.
The amount of time required to perform common surgical procedures increases with the addition of a surgical resident in the operating room, according to researchers. The study found that each procedure took significantly longer with a resident present, with increases ranging from eight minutes for hernia surgery to 60 minutes for parti...
The study projects that vision loss from eye diseases will reach 5.5 million Americans by 2020, with age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataract being the most common causes. Regular comprehensive eye exams are crucial for preventing and/or delaying eye disease in those at higher risk.
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has been awarded $3.9 million to assess the Afghan health system and develop a new financing system. The evaluation system will measure progress in providing basic health services, particularly for vulnerable populations like women and children.
Researchers have successfully engineered plant-dwelling bacteria to break down toxic pollutants, enabling plants to thrive in contaminated environments. The technique uses naturally occurring bacteria and natural gene-transfer methods, offering a promising solution for environmental cleanup.
Research suggests that mathematically gifted youth exhibit improved interhemispheric interaction, enabling them to process global and local elements with equal efficiency. This cooperative left-right brain organization may underlie their exceptional math abilities.
U of T researchers identify gene responsible for protein malfunction in Crohn's patients, enabling diagnostic test and potential new treatments. The findings provide valuable insights into chronic inflammation and its impact on the disease.
The new database contains approximately 100 Reference Measurement Procedures, including 30 developed and maintained by NIST. The database lists 96 approved reference materials; NIST is the source for 72 of these, facilitating worldwide comparability of clinical measurements and reducing technical barriers to trade.
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography have received a $1.1 million NSF grant to study the impact of Earth's rotation on ocean circulation and mixing. The grant will be used to simulate the rotation of the earth and investigate horizontal stirring in the ocean caused by small eddies.
Researchers have developed a new technique called X-ray standing wave imaging, which enables direct visualization of ion site distributions at mineral-water interfaces. This breakthrough streamlines the tedious process of structure determination, allowing scientists to complete data acquisition and analysis in under 24 hours.
Researchers at NIST have developed a chip-scale device that uses magnetic force microscopy to manipulate individual biomolecules. The device can stretch, twist, and uncoil strands of DNA with piconewton forces, paving the way for genomic studies.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a new collection of critically evaluated phase diagrams, improving search capabilities and reducing design errors. The ACerS-NIST collaboration saves research time and money by providing reliable data.
Prostate cancer cell lines exhibit high levels of free radical damage and defective repair mechanisms, leading to a cascade of events culminating in further DNA damage and cellular dysfunction. The new research provides solid evidence for the critical role of free radicals and repair in prostate cancer development.
A new three-step process developed by NIST's Office of Applied Economics evaluates the vulnerability of facilities to terrorist threats, considering engineering, management, and financial strategies. The tool assesses the most cost-effective combination of risk reduction strategies to protect facilities from damages.
The study reveals that oysters' immune blood cells contain rhombohedral-shaped crystals used to form shell. The research aims to understand biomineralization for potential breakthroughs in medical and material sciences.
Children in poorer families face greater family turmoil, violence, instability and smaller social networks, living in more polluted and crowded environments with inadequate services. They attend underfunded schools and spend less time reading, watching fewer books at home.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered self-assembling nanotubes that attach better to titanium-coated implants than uncoated ones, promoting new cell growth and potentially leading to longer-lasting artificial joints. The nanotubes offer promise in biomedical applications and could be tailored for specific parts of the body.
NIST's new reference material, calibrated microspheres coated with fluorescent dye, provides an authoritative national fluorescence measurement scale. This improvement enables more accurate measurements of signal intensity, reflecting numbers of target molecules in samples.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers found that even brief contact with wood or leaf litter increases the risk of tick exposure. Precautions such as avoiding prolonged contact and inspecting skin carefully are recommended for people frequenting endemic areas.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a novel technique to quantify stratospheric ozone in the upper troposphere. This allows for better understanding of how much ozone is transported from the stratosphere to the upper troposphere, affecting climate and atmospheric chemistry.
The aquarium trade poses a significant threat to marine and freshwater ecosystems due to the introduction of invasive species. Experts recommend regulating the industry by listing safer alternatives and using bonds to cover potential damage costs.
Researchers have found that Earth's magnetic field reversal events occur within certain time-frames, regardless of the polarity of the reversal. The overall average duration is 7,000 years, but variation depends on latitude, with changes taking half as long at low-latitude sites.
A new experimental drug has shown to completely prevent arrhythmia-related deaths in mice with the same molecular defect as people with heart failure. The drug works by patching a leak in the heart's calcium channel, which can trigger fatal arrhythmias, and has great potential for slowing the progression of heart failure.
Researchers use X-ray detectors and rocket-triggered lightning to study lightning's complexities. They found that lightning flickers in X-rays at 10,000 times the speed of visible light, with X-ray energies extending up to twice those of a chest X-ray.
The web-based program calculates thermal radiation, seismic shaking, ejecta deposition, and air-blast effects based on user input distance from impact site. It provides detailed descriptions of damage severity, including ignition times for grass and wood, shaking intensity levels, and debris particle sizes.
A new study reveals that torcetrapib significantly increases levels of HDL cholesterol in patients with low levels, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. The drug works by inhibiting the transfer of cholesterol from HDL to LDL, and its effectiveness is maintained when given in combination with a statin.
Indiana University professors Christopher Beckwith, Mary Ellen Brown, Ellen Ketterson, and Loren Rieseberg have been awarded the prestigious 2004 Guggenheim Fellowships. The grants will support their research on topics including bird sexual behavior, plant species evolution, and Central Eurasian history.
Researchers found that children taking additional zinc sulphate on a daily basis showed faster improvement in their ADHD symptoms compared to those taking a placebo. The study's results suggest a potential role of zinc deficiency in the pathogenesis of ADHD and highlight the need for further research.
A 10-year study found that laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer has the same prognosis as conventional surgery, with a 76% 5-year survival rate. The procedure resulted in shorter postoperative recovery times but longer surgery durations compared to conventional surgery.
A study found that large and rapid workplace expansions increase the risk of long-term sickness absence and hospital admissions. Moderate expansion, however, showed a decreased risk of hospital admission. The authors suggest centralisation of workplace functions as a possible cause.
Researchers have discovered the remains of a 9,500-year-old human-cat burial on Cyprus, providing the oldest known evidence of cat taming. The find, published in Science journal, suggests that humans may have begun taming wild cats earlier than previously thought, around 11,000 years ago.