Vascular spasm is an under-recognized source of damage to heart muscle, leading to reduced function and increased risk of death. The study found that correcting genetic defects in heart muscle cells can halt focal degeneration and prevent vascular spasm.
Tony Hunter and Raymond N. DuBois have been awarded prestigious Landon-AACR Prizes for their significant contributions to understanding, treatment, and prevention of cancer. Their work has led to the development of anti-cancer drugs and potential mechanisms to inhibit enzyme activity.
A study published in Toxicological Sciences found that a toxin combination common in fish impairs motor skills, particularly when combined with PCBs. The research suggests that additive toxic effects of these chemicals on human health should be seriously considered.
The Canadian Medical Association recommends a national review of pharmacy prescription records confidentiality, calling for Health Canada to establish standards. The pharmaceutical industry should not be responsible for managing the issue.
A study of 740 homeless children in NYC found that 26.9% had a prior diagnosis of asthma and 12.9% reported symptoms consistent with moderate or severe persistent asthma. The authors suggest that high levels of exposure to adverse psychological factors contribute to the severity and undertreatment of asthma in homeless children.
Researchers at MIT discovered that memories with emotional arousal are remembered by the amygdala, whereas calm memories are processed by the prefrontal cortex. This finding has important implications for understanding how the brain makes memories and may lead to treatments for memory loss and learning impairments.
A University of Iowa study suggests that blocking the action of a certain protein involved in inflammation might be beneficial for organ transplantation, heart attacks, and possibly stroke. The study found that selective inhibition of this protein can prevent tissue damage caused by ischemia/reperfusion injury.
A study found that less than half of urban fathers regularly attend doctor's appointments with their young children. The research highlights the need for family-friendly employment policies to encourage father involvement in childcare.
Cancer specialist Professor Bleyer warns that teenagers and young adults are 'orphaned in the world of cancer care delivery,' citing a 25-year stagnation in survival rates compared to children and older adults. The main reasons include delayed diagnosis due to psychological factors, lack of routine medical care, and underinsured status.
Researchers at the NIH's National Eye Institute have developed a new therapy, daclizumab, that controls uveitis inflammation in seven of 10 patients over a four-year period. The therapy is well-tolerated and may allow patients to administer it to themselves at home.
The US Preventive Services Task Force finds insufficient evidence to show that routine screenings for physical abuse and intimate partner violence lead to decreased disability or premature death. Clinicians should remain vigilant and look for signs of abuse or neglect, despite the lack of proof that interventions work.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has been awarded three Excellence in Technology Transfer Awards for its innovative technologies. The Electrodynamic Ion Funnel significantly improves the sensitivity of mass spectrometers, enabling the detection of new proteins and biomarkers for cancer early detection. Additionally, alp...
A randomized controlled trial found that disulfiram significantly reduced cocaine use in adults not dependent on alcohol, while CBT showed similar effectiveness. The combination of disulfiram and CBT was particularly effective for non-alcoholic users who abstained from alcohol during the study.
Researchers at Rensselaer aim to develop a key set of tools to synthesize and screen promising compounds rapidly, identifying those most suitable for further development as potential new drugs. The proposed techniques could speed up the drug development process, reducing costs from $1.7 billion to an unknown amount.
Physicists at Ohio State University propose a solution to the long-standing information paradox by suggesting that black holes are made up of giant tangles of strings that preserve the information of particles that enter them. This theory resolves the paradox and provides new insights into the nature of black holes.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal explores the trend of elective cesarean sections, highlighting concerns about comparing vaginal birth to planned cesarean delivery. Hannah argues that only a comparison of planned vaginal and planned cesarean births can determine which carries greater risk to mother and baby.
A recent study published in the Pediatrics journal found that the United States may have a surplus of pediatricians for the next 20 years. Despite fears of a shortage, researchers used a novel approach to projecting the work force and found that the experience in pediatrics differs greatly from other primary care specialties.
A study found that minors can purchase nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products in 81% of attempts, with most sellers not asking for proof of age. The FDA-approved labeling has little effect on actual sales practice, highlighting the need for improved access to NRT for teens.
A new study reveals uveitis is more prevalent than previously estimated, with nearly 1,000 patients in northern California affected. The disease affects over 280,000 people in the US each year, leading to 30,000 new cases of blindness annually.
Researchers develop vaccine that prevents tumor growth in mice, while also reversing cardiac dysfunction through gene therapy. These breakthroughs demonstrate the potential of combinatorial approaches to vaccination and gene therapy for treating neoplastic lesions and heart disease.
In 2003, US blood banks screened nearly 6 million donations for West Nile virus, identifying over 1,000 infected units and removing them from the supply. The screenings reduced the risk of transmission associated with blood transfusions, highlighting the effectiveness of proactive measures in preventing disease spread.
Researchers have made significant discoveries in controlling friction at the nanometer scale, developing more resilient network architectures, and precisely manipulating millions of atoms. These advancements hold promise for improving nanoengineering applications and enhancing our understanding of fundamental mechanisms.
A study by the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that blacks are 1.8 times more likely to develop cataracts than whites, with a three-fold risk of cortical cataract development in black populations. The increased risk is attributed to high rates of diabetes, hypertension, and abdominal obesity in black populations.
A study found that both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis improved general functioning and well-being, but with different outcomes. Peritoneal dialysis patients showed improvements in finances, while hemodialysis patients had better sleep.
The Bridging the Rift Center will study the unique ecology of the Dead Sea region, transforming a remote desert into a thriving science and technology village. The center will symbolically straddle the border, bringing together scientists from Jordan, Israel, and international partners.
A study by Professor Michael Waterson found that fast food chains like McDonald's and Burger King locate closely together in shopping districts due to competition. The larger the population area, the sooner a McDonald's outlet opens, but this effect diminishes as population increases.
Using targeted antiviral prophylaxis (TAP) on close contacts of suspected flu cases can effectively contain an epidemic, with only 2% of the population becoming ill and a death rate of 0.04 per 1,000 people. TAP is nearly as effective as vaccinating 80% of the entire population, especially when used for eight weeks.
The UK Teenage Cancer Trust is calling for government action to address the poor survival rates and lack of support for young cancer patients. The charity argues that current systems often lead to late diagnosis, inadequate clinical trials, and a lack of specialized care, resulting in poor outcomes.
The new website will collect and organize resources such as funding opportunities, research programs, and conferences, facilitating the growth of the biogeoscience field. It will also feature a discussion forum and image gallery, supporting scientists in defining the field and addressing its future.
Researchers have identified a dual strategy used by viruses to subvert the immune system, involving the targeting of hematopoietic progenitors and inhibition of dendritic cell maturation. This study sheds light on the mechanisms of viral immunosuppression, enabling better understanding of immune evasion tactics.
Researchers are developing an intervention to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in a rat model. They will examine the effects of ergonomic and pharmaceutical interventions to stop the condition from becoming chronic. The five-year study aims to refine treatment and save people from further pain and disability.
Researchers found a significant increase in cancer cases among teenagers and young adults, with certain cancers dominating at different ages. The study suggests that environmental risk factors and genetic susceptibility may play a role in the increasing incidence of adolescent and young adult cancer.
A Stanford study found that students who engaged in anti-tobacco advocacy significantly reduced their cigarette use compared to traditional drug abuse prevention classes. The decrease continued six months later, a rare finding in similar studies.
Researchers use ATTA, a highly sensitive method, to measure krypton-81 in groundwater, estimating ages of 200,000 to 1,000,000 years. The study reveals ancient water transported by air masses from the Atlantic Ocean, reflecting climate conditions different from today.
A new vaccine has been shown to halt HER-2/neu preneoplastic breast cancer lesions through both morphologic and gene expression data. The findings suggest a potential breakthrough in the treatment of this type of cancer, according to a recent study published in JCI Journals.
The study found that 88% of patients treated with wavefront-guided LASIK showed improved contrast sensitivity, compared to 40% for standard LASIK. This technology reduces higher-order distortions, leading to sharper vision with greater contrast sensitivity.
Researchers developed a model to calculate the optimal length of follow-up time for breast cancer patients without significantly reducing detection rates. By reducing follow-up periods from ten years to four years, six years' worth of physician time and outpatient costs could be redirected to more effective treatment processes.
A study found that 71% of Japanese outpatients would like to make treatment decisions in collaboration with their physician. Patients prefer to involve their families in decision-making, but only allow them to support the patient's decision, not provide a third opinion.
Osteosarcoma survival rates have remained unchanged for 20 years, with only 54% of patients alive after five years. The Teenage Cancer Trust is urging more research to develop effective new treatments that prioritize patient well-being. Delays in diagnosis and non-specific symptoms make it challenging to treat the disease successfully.
Providing cough and cold care kits to patients with upper respiratory illness or acute bronchitis significantly reduces unnecessary antibiotic use. The kits contain pain relievers, decongestant, and other over-the-counter medications to treat symptoms.
The project aims to deploy a MIMO-based mobile ad hoc network that increases spectral efficiency by 20 times, providing enhanced communications capabilities for the US military. Stevens' Wireless Network Security Center is involved in the research and development of the ultra-high capacity secure communications system.
Researchers have found that hindbrain neural identities in lampreys are governed by independent mechanisms, contradicting a prevailing model. The findings suggest a convergent process where originally independent mechanisms became linked during gnathostome evolution.
The Academy of Electronic Media has received a two-year, $350,000 NSF grant to produce new Web-based materials that support electrical engineering education. The grant will also enable the development of new online tools to stimulate interest in STEM fields among students from kindergarten through high school.
Scientists found large and rapid sea-level changes during the Late Cretaceous greenhouse world, contradicting previous assumptions. The research suggests that ice sheets on Antarctica grew and decayed rapidly, significantly altering global sea levels.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a new mine-detection method that uses time reversal to locate buried objects in the ocean floor without complex modeling or arrays of sonar transmitters. The method simplifies equipment and analysis, making it more feasible for naval mine detection.
Researchers found that mothers' brain activity increased when shown pictures of their own babies compared to others, indicating involvement of the orbitofrontal cortex in maternal attachment. The study's findings suggest a link between positive emotions and maternal bonding.
A study published in the Vadose Zone Journal examines how different soil types influence Cryptosporidium parvum's transport to groundwater. The research found that sandy soils allow rapid movement of pathogens, while structured soils with large macropores have limited breakthrough.
Researchers create ultrafast stopwatch capable of measuring atomic processes with an accuracy of less than 100 attoseconds. The device uses a combination of X-ray flashes and laser light pulses to detect electrons emitted by atoms, providing insights into chemical reactions and material synthesis.
Researchers have discovered that low-dose HDAC inhibitors can prevent the production of inflammatory cytokines, reducing cell damage and improving survival rates in mice with GVHD. The study suggests that these drugs may be used to reduce the risk of death, hospitalization, and serious side effects associated with bone marrow transplants.
A new study found that multiple Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains are present in patients with active TB, contradicting the long-held theory of a single strain. Additionally, researchers developed a method to isolate and quantify airborne TB aerosols from coughs, showing promise for studying the disease's transmission.
A study of 9,307 white subjects and 2,902 black subjects found that whites and blacks responded similarly about 90% of the time to common antihypertensive drugs. This challenges traditional racial treatment differences and suggests that physicians should base drug choices on individual patient factors rather than race.
A new study published in the journal Pain found that people with depression are four times more likely to develop intense or disabling neck and low back pain. Researchers hope to uncover why these conditions are commonly linked, exploring coping methods to break a vicious cycle.
Researchers found ACR scores improved for symptom relief after 6 months with combination treatment, and remission occurred in 35% of patients compared to 16% and 13% with individual therapies. Combination therapy also showed a statistically significant improvement on joint erosion.
A new norovirus variant was identified as the cause of increased gastroenteritis outbreaks in Europe in 2002. The data collected from ten European countries showed a striking increase in norovirus outbreaks that coincided with the emergence of the new virus variant, leading to an unusual seasonal pattern.
Patients from lower socio-economic backgrounds are at a higher risk of developing postoperative MRSA infections. The study found that patients from the most deprived areas had a seven-fold higher infection rate than those from the least deprived areas.
St. Philip Neri's team won the IEEE-USA national award with their communications system, which uses antennas and titanium microchips to transmit signals via bone conduction. The system was praised for its creativity and potential to become an asset for everyone in the future.
Researchers found that short-term stress combined with exposure to low-dose chemicals causes widespread cellular damage in the brain and liver of rats. The combination also promotes cell death, damages specific brain regions, and increases reactive oxygen species, which can lead to further damage.
A new study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that earlier diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia significantly improves patient outcomes. Patients treated early tended to be younger, less symptomatic, and more responsive to treatment than those not receiving early detection programs.
A new imaging technique uses quantum dots to detect faulty genes in DNA, offering improved detection of breast cancer patients who would benefit from specific drug therapy. The method provides signals that are 200-1,100% more intense than conventional tags, reducing uncertainty in the FISH test.
The Pacific leatherback turtle's population has declined by 97% since 1982, with fewer than 3,000 females remaining. A two-pronged approach is needed to save the species, including stronger protections for nesting beaches and safer fishing practices.