A study found that frequent users of aspirin and other NSAIDs had a 20-28% lower risk of breast cancer compared to nonusers. The inverse association was most pronounced among frequent users and those with hormone receptor-positive tumors.
A study of over 500 smokers found a significant association between sequence variations in the macrophage scavenger receptor gene and airways obstruction. The researchers hope this discovery will help understand why some smokers develop COPD and improve treatment options.
Children whose mothers ate oily fish were 71% less likely to develop asthma; the more fish eaten, the lower the risk. A family history of asthma remains a strong risk factor for childhood asthma.
A study found that pregnant women with asthma experience worsening symptoms and increased nighttime problems when carrying a female fetus. Treatment with inhaled steroids can help control symptoms and reduce risks to the mother and baby.
Nonstandard work shifts negatively impact family stability, childcare arrangements, and parent-child relationships, leading to marital unhappiness and divorce rates. Policy solutions such as higher wages for late shifts and childcare subsidies are proposed to mitigate the social and health costs of these schedules.
Researchers used naturally occurring bacteriophage to treat chickens infected with campylobacter, resulting in a significant reduction of bacteria. The effectiveness of the treatment depended on the specific bacteriophage and dose administered.
Engineers at Ohio State University determined which computer models perform well for monitoring Great Lakes water quality, aiding studies of global climate change. The study used satellite images to gauge algae levels in Lake Erie and other lakes, enabling scientists to remove atmospheric interference and compare model performance.
Researchers found that comorbidities are strongly correlated with cancer survival rates, with severe comorbidities reducing overall survival by 33% after five years. Comorbidity data is most useful in treatable types of tumors, like prostate and breast cancer.
The e-MERLIN network will use optical fibers to increase data capacity and sensitivity, enabling UK astronomers to make important contributions to advancing our understanding of the Universe. The new system will allow for detailed radio images of stars and galaxies with unprecedented resolution.
Researchers found that insulin and glucose in type-2 diabetics' urine increases E. coli's adherence, leading to a greater risk of UTIs. Insulin also affects the bacteria's surface characteristics, potentially providing some protection against antibiotics.
A decade-long study found improved five-year, event-free survival rates of 63% in Recife, Brazil, compared to the US and Europe. The increase was attributed to adapted St. Jude treatments and supportive care, including housing and travel subsidies for families.
A team led by Evan DeLucia will use genomic technologies to understand how soybeans respond to climate change, including greenhouse gases and drought conditions. The research aims to identify key genes driving these responses and improve crop productivity.
Researchers found that glaciers grind down mountains at a rate comparable to tectonic plate movement, validating the 'glacial buzz saw' hypothesis. This suggests that glacial erosion plays a significant role in shaping mountain landscapes and redistributing rock masses.
Wetland restoration projects must consider the inevitable creation of mosquito habitats, which can increase exposure to diseases like West Nile virus. Elizabeth Willott suggests explicitly addressing mosquito control in proposals to strengthen project outcomes.
The study identifies areas with high mortality rates among grizzly bears, primarily caused by human activities such as forestry, oil and gas, and mining. The researchers recommend limiting human access to critical habitat sites and increasing education programs to mitigate the impact on the species.
A recent study found that the gene TLR4 plays a crucial role in determining the lung's response to environmental toxins, particularly ozone. Mice with a functional copy of the gene were more susceptible to asthma-like symptoms when exposed to high levels of ozone.
Fox Chase Cancer Center and Wilex partner to accelerate development of anti-cancer drug for breast cancer treatment. The open-label Phase I study will evaluate safety and biological activity of WX-UK1 in combination with chemotherapy agent capecitabine.
A study using triple-contrast CT found that it can accurately detect peritoneal damage and injury extent in patients with penetrating torso trauma. The imaging modality achieved an overall accuracy rate of 98 percent, surpassing previous limitations of CT scans for retroperitoneum assessment.
Researchers at OHSU are developing a new class of viral vaccine vectors, based on cytomegalovirus (CMV), to serve as the basis of an HIV vaccine. The approach aims to generate a superior and more durable anti-HIV immune response that can persist over subsequent years.
A Penn State researcher suggests that the black-white test score gap can be reduced by increasing verbal interaction between parents and children. Research shows that professional parents who spoke more words to their children had better vocabulary knowledge and higher reading performance. Interventions like Early Head Start have shown...
Researchers found that collecting comorbidity information from cancer registrars improves prognostic accuracy for various cancer types. Comorbidity data complements tumor stage in predicting patient outcomes.
A UCSF physician argues that blanket screenings can compromise quality patient care, particularly for elderly patients with severe illnesses. She advocates for a more targeted approach to screening, considering a patient's prognosis and preferences.
The new guidelines update the 1995 ATS COPD guidelines and provide the latest information on clinical treatment and diagnosis. The site also features practical patient information, including background on the disease, its symptoms, and medications.
Researchers used the Gemini telescope to produce sharp infrared images of quasar host galaxies, finding only one convincing detection that was unremarkable in size and brightness. This challenges previous assumptions about the relationship between quasars and their host galaxies.
The study found no correlation between prenatal cocaine exposure and lower IQ scores, but showed specific effects on subscales such as information, arithmetic, and object assembly. Children in foster or adoptive care had better IQs than those in biological maternal or relative care, despite increased severity of exposure.
CZEN-002 demonstrated anti-infective and anti-inflammatory properties, with 88.2% of subjects showing efficacy in potassium hydroxide tests and mycological cultures. The treatment was well-tolerated with no significant changes from baseline vital signs.
A new computer model predicts that soybean rust, a highly aggressive form of the disease, has already spread to Brazil and Venezuela, putting the US at high risk. The model suggests that the disease will reach the US within the current growing season or no later than two years.
Researchers identified six Lactobacillus strains capable of binding to the HIV envelope, inhibiting infection and potentially blocking transmission. The bacteria also bound to immune cells, causing them to clump and immobilize any infected cells.
A study published in EMBO Journal found that resveratrol, a compound in grape skins, can starve cancer cells by inhibiting the action of NF-kB. This inhibition leads to apoptosis, or cell death, in cancer cells. Resveratrol's effectiveness against cancer is linked to its ability to block NF-kB's inflammatory response.
Researchers discovered that bacteria have acquired a gene from animal immune systems, allowing them to evade host defenses. This finding has significant implications for vaccine development and our understanding of bacterial evolution.
Research reveals that autistic children can access and analyze musical details more readily than typically developing children. A subgroup of participants achieved impressive scores, even without prior musical training.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a new approach to boost the immune response against gliomas, a type of brain tumor. By targeting the interleukin 10 gene in dendritic cells, they can increase the production of IL-12, leading to a stronger Th1 response and enhanced immune response against cancer cells.
Researchers found that women who were highly frustrated by earlier math problem-solving sessions ate more snacks overall, especially high-fat items. Men did not show the same level of increased snacking regardless of noise exposure or perceived control.
A recent study by Rochon and colleagues found that many conditions or diseases common internationally are underrepresented in randomized controlled trials published in leading medical journals. In a related commentary, Jha and Lavery highlight the importance of delivering treatments already available to improve population health in dev...
Researchers analyzed data from 149,524 postmenopausal women to identify predictors of bone fractures. Women with low T scores or previous fractures were found to be at increased risk, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
The study, led by Shin'ya Nishida, utilized the multi-slit viewing illusion and found that pattern perception is more impaired by a mask or adaptation stimulus moving in the same direction as the pattern. Observers can see fine spatial components that are theoretically impossible to recover without motion information.
Researchers at NIST created a new technique to measure friction accurately in the nano- and micro-scale. The method helps designers produce more durable devices with moving parts by accounting for unintended scratching of surfaces.
The Hartford Faculty Scholar's Program aims to create faculty leaders in geriatric social work. Twelve scholars will address psychosocial needs of terminally ill elders and explore the use of video-phones as a telemedicine intervention.
A team of Johns Hopkins seniors designed a vest filled with foam padding to absorb energy from car crashes, reducing chest compression by up to 17%. Their four-point harness system also minimized sternum deflection and dropped crash impact forces by 33%.
Researchers found children who developed wheezing symptoms after age 3 had significant behavior problems before, compared to those who never wheezed. The study suggests a possible common factor, such as genetics or parental smoking, that accounts for both wheezing and behavior problems in children.
The Caucasus region, home to 51 globally threatened species, will receive a significant boost for conservation efforts thanks to $8.5 million in grants from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF). The funding will support conservation efforts across six countries, including Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
A new system, PEWS, measures vital signs to predict life-threatening events in children, identifying deteriorating conditions up to 4 hours prior. Experienced nurses can detect subtle changes, but less experienced ones rely on an objective tool for early intervention.
Nearly half of clinicians' neckties contained disease-causing bacteria, posing a significant risk to patient health. The study raises questions about the benefits of wearing neckties in healthcare settings.
A landmark study estimates that 7.5% of hospital patients experience adverse events in Canada, resulting in 185,000 preventable incidents in 2000. The study found that surgical care accounted for the largest number of adverse events and that 37% were potentially preventable.
Yerkes researchers found a combination of dopamine transporter inhibition and serotonin transporter inhibition effective in limiting cocaine use in rhesus macaques. The therapy shows promise as a potential treatment for cocaine addiction.
Researchers found that African-American and Hispanic outpatients with back pain were less likely to receive painkillers than white patients. The study attributes this disparity to racial stereotypes among physicians, suggesting a potential issue with racism in the US healthcare system.
Researchers have found that male breast cancer incidence has increased by 26% over the past 25 years, with men being diagnosed at a later stage than women. The study also revealed differences in tumor biology, including higher rates of estrogen receptor-positive tumors in men.
Dr. Hou's project aims to develop a theoretical foundation for wireless sensor network design and deployment, focusing on optimal routing, performance limits, and energy-related problems. The goal is to fill gaps in current understanding and enable the growing field of wireless sensor networks to realize its potential.
The University of Minnesota has established the nation's first endowed chair in sexual health, aiming to promote science-based research and education. The new chair will provide important contributions to the field of public health, guided by principles of equity and social justice.
Researchers studying epilepsy patients who underwent brain surgery on either side found that those with left-brain surgery experienced decreased immune function, while right-brain surgery boosted immune response. The findings raise concerns about protecting patients from infection following strokes or left-brain surgery.
Exercise has been shown to improve physical fitness, lower back pain, and cholesterol levels in early postmenopausal women. After 26 months, the exercise group experienced significant increases in physical fitness and reductions in bone loss compared to the control group.
Researchers have developed a technique to improve electromagnetic signal transmission in complex environments using time reversal, which may enhance cell phone communications. Additionally, studying competition dynamics in noisy systems reveals that flexible competitors can increase their prosperity by adjusting their adaptation rate. ...
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued a new clinical standard to help manufacturers develop and calibrate assays that measure specific protein concentrations in patient blood samples. This standard, SRM 2921, is expected to reduce variations in clinical test results by as much as 50-fold.
A study found that African-Americans are 1.67 times more likely to die within five years and 1.52 times more likely to die within ten years after surgical treatment for CRC compared to Caucasians. Racial differences were most pronounced in patients with stage II disease.
A healthy baby boy was born to a couple after the father's sperm was successfully frozen for 21 years. ICSI technique used for fertilization, resulting in high motile sperm percentage after thawing. Long-term storage preserved fertility quality, offering hope for young cancer patients seeking family planning.
A study found that delayed transfers to intensive care units (ICUs) increase the risk of death for hospitalized patients. Patients who received timely ICU transfers had better outcomes, with 55% less likelihood of receiving major medical interventions in the first six hours.
A recent study found that diabetes-related mortality may increase in relative importance among the elderly population, with a 10% per year mortality rate among those with diabetes. The study suggests that prevention of diabetes among the elderly should be a priority, as demonstrated by the Diabetes Prevention Program.
A recent study found that obese postmenopausal women are more likely to be recalled for additional tests after screening mammographies, with women in the obese category II and III groups being 31% more likely to be recalled. Obese women also experience a 20% increased risk of false-positive mammogram results compared to underweight and...
A landmark study by Penn Medicine reveals significant improvements in quality of life and survival rates for heart failure patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and optimized pharmacologic therapy. The study shows a 36% reduction in all-cause mortality for patients implanted with CRT defibrillators.
The study found that 7.5% of hospital patients experienced adverse events, with 37% being preventable. Implementing gains in patient safety can be achieved through encouraging reporting, new technologies, and improved communication among caregivers.