A new study using satellite data reveals that the troposphere has been warming at a rate similar to the surface, contradicting previous claims of missing atmospheric warming. The researchers developed a method to separate troposphere temperature trends from those of the stratosphere, revealing a faster warming trend.
Researchers at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center developed a new SPECT imaging test that can accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease in its early stages. The test identifies reduced blood flow in the posterior cingulate cortex, allowing doctors to identify AD patients significantly sooner than current methods.
A study found that MDCT was more accurate than plain film in detecting bone loss near the prosthesis (100% vs 67%) and fractures (100% vs 94%). MDCT also showed improved detection of loose components (61% vs 54%). The study suggests MDCT should be performed for patients with questionable x-rays or those needing surgery.
New studies suggest that embryonic stem cells or mature beta cells are the primary source of new beta cells for diabetes treatment. The findings highlight a significant proliferative capacity of beta cells, offering a potential clinical direction for boosting insulin production in patients with residual beta cells.
A new MRI-guided breast biopsy system has been developed, showing that it is safe and efficient for retrieving tissue under MRI guidance. The procedure was found to be technically successful with no complications in all 38 biopsies performed on 28 patients.
Research found that couples who don't follow traditional labor division are less likely to have another child. Modern families with women performing less than 54% of housework have an 81% chance of having a second child within five years.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine identified Langerhans cells as the principal culprit behind graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in transplanted mice. Eliminating these cells using ultraviolet light reduced GVHD symptoms, offering a potential prevention method for transplant patients.
Researchers at University College London developed more effective crime hotspot maps by treating the spread of crime like a disease, capturing 62-80% of burglaries and being 30% more accurate than traditional methods
A Stanford study examined 42 college-age bipolar patients, finding significant improvement in symptoms and function with treatment. The research suggests that early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for preventing disease progression and that these young adults can function well if properly diagnosed and treated.
Cognitive impairments are a significant contributor to the disability associated with schizophrenia. Recent research indicates that medications currently available do little to remedy this aspect of the illness. New trials, part of the TURNS initiative, aim to develop new treatments for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
Phytoplankton in the Sargasso Sea produce organic sulfur compounds as a defense mechanism against UV radiation, leading to increased cloudiness and mitigating global warming effects. The discovery provides new insights into the DMS-climate feedback hypothesis.
A study of 1,248 people with depression found that those who didn't recover from symptoms after routine treatment were more likely to experience persistent depression and report side effects from medication. These individuals often felt they received inadequate care from their doctors, leading to continued use of healthcare services.
A study by the American College of Radiology found that thoracic PET scans are suitable for diagnosing some lung cancer patients with localized disease. This approach reduces radiation exposure and saves time compared to whole-body PET examinations, which cover a broader area of the body.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that cord blood stem cells can halt disease progression and aid repair in organs and tissues, improving survival rates and reducing complications. Children treated with cord blood transplants showed significant cognitive gains and improvements in organ function.
The team developed a genome-scale computational model of gene regulation in E. coli, uncovering surprising new details about how the cell responds to oxygen deprivation. The model includes 1,010 genes, including 104 regulatory genes, which regulate the expression of 479 genes involved in metabolism.
A randomized trial of 542 patients with bipolar depression found Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate) to be effective in reducing symptoms, with a response rate of 50% compared to placebo. The study suggests that Seroquel may be a viable treatment option for bipolar disorder, particularly for patients who exhibit anxiety and agitation.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a characteristic sign of Alzheimer's disease that can distinguish it from frontotemporal diseases, which are the second-leading cause of dementia in the elderly. SPECT testing measures brain blood flow and shows significant reductions in the posterior cingulate cortex, indic...
Tidewater Community College has developed a virtual laboratory using the Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite (ELVIS), which includes digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, and touch-sensitive white boards. The technology allows students to conduct experiments and measure results like real-life equipment, at no additional ...
A new biopsy system has been shown to be effective in completely removing benign breast masses as large as 3 cm, with minimal pain and discomfort. The procedure takes around 20-40 minutes and compares favorably to traditional surgical procedures.
A study suggests that people unconsciously recall images associated with African-Americans when reading news about violent crime, reflecting the influence of stereotypes on memory. This can have implications for law-enforcement scenarios, such as identifications in line-ups and racial profiling.
Two studies show that women with PCOS are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease due to elevated CRP levels and metabolic abnormalities. Obese women with PCOS symptoms are particularly at risk, highlighting the need for close monitoring of CVD risk factors in this population.
A study by the American College of Radiology suggests that plain film X-rays are not clinically useful in 72% of cases for children with non-traumatic stomach pain. The imaging study confirms diagnoses of constipation and bowel obstruction, but is unnecessary when other tests like CT or ultrasound are already anticipated.
A four-year study assesses pediatricians' ability to change parents' behaviors and prevent violence. The study measures media exposure, gun storage, and communication between parents and healthcare providers.
Researchers found higher plasma selenium levels are associated with a decreased risk of advanced prostate cancer, while DNAzymes targeting c-Jun may inhibit tumor growth. Glucocorticoid prescriptions are linked to an increased risk of skin cancers and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The CDMS II experiment has narrowed the search for WIMPs, a type of dark matter particle. The results show that the interaction rate of a WIMP with ordinary matter should be less than one interaction every 25 days per kilogram of germanium.
A new study found that subsistence fishing has disastrous consequences for coral reefs, causing healthy corals to die and being rapidly replaced by algae. Even low levels of fishing can bring about profound ecosystem changes, including the growth of crown-of-thorns starfish populations.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that the US spends more on healthcare than other developed countries, but its health outcomes are not better. The US excels in breast cancer survival rates and cervical cancer screening, but struggles with asthma mortality rates and smoking.
A study of 238 blunt and penetrating trauma patients found MDCT to be highly effective in diagnosing thoracic and lumbar spine injuries. CT scans characterized fractures, making surgery easier for surgeons.
A new computer technique has been developed to differentiate between malignant and benign calcifications on digital mammograms. The system achieved performance comparable to radiologists in classifying these calcifications, with a 79% accuracy rate in a test using one malignant case and one benign case.
Conservation efforts in Canada are threatened by growing human populations and economic development. Despite these challenges, conservation initiatives continue to focus on preserving biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Studies show humans can recognize word boundaries in complex languages through statistical analysis of sound patterns. A new test reveals people can distinguish regularity in consonant relationships and use them to divide sounds into words with great accuracy.
The US National Science Foundation's S&E Indicators 2004 report shows significant variation in state-level indicators of education, workforce, and research & development. States with strong federal and industry R&D investments tend to have more college graduates in the workforce.
In an experiment, male sand gobies were found to work harder at building nests and taking care of eggs when females were present, demonstrating 'courtship parental care'. Unaccompanied males were more likely to abandon their parental duties or even eat their own eggs.
Arthur B. Weglein, a physics professor at the University of Houston, testified before the US Congress Science Committee on the proposed ultradeep energy bill (H.R. 6). The hearing focused on the benefits of ultradeep water research and development, which could create nearly one million jobs and increase domestic oil and gas production.
A Purdue University research team has found a set of genes that may orchestrate insects' ability to fight the effects of pesticides. The study identified dozens of genes different in resistant fly lines compared to non-resistant wild-type flies, indicating that multiple genes are involved in metabolic resistance.
A multi-institutional study reveals that medical residents experience significant adverse effects from sleep loss and fatigue on their cognitive abilities, relationships with patients and staff, and daily life. The study highlights the need for more education and countermeasures to address this critical issue in resident well-being.
Researchers presented promising results of a long-term gene therapy trial in monkeys with Parkinson's disease, showing improved symptoms with reduced levodopa doses. Genetic studies identified a new risk factor for early symptom onset linked to the GST gene, emphasizing the importance of both environmental and genetic factors in PD dev...
Researchers found that Reading Recovery helped African-American and poor children reach average reading levels for first-graders in 16-20 weeks. The intervention narrowed the achievement gap along racial-ethnic and economic lines, with all students catching up to average levels.
A study of 1,325 patients revealed that CT pulmonary angiograms expose female breasts to at least 2.0 rads per breast, equivalent to 10-25 mammograms or 100-400 chest radiographs. Researchers recommend reducing radiation exposure by selecting suitable patients, using alternative imaging methods, and manipulating scan parameters.
A University of Central Florida study found that men exposed to 'supersized' muscular images in ads experience depression and dissatisfaction. Researchers hope to help people develop realistic expectations about appearance and avoid unhealthy ideals.
A recent study found that average blood pressure levels among American children and teenagers have increased over the past two decades. The new clinical practice guidelines will provide updated recommendations for lifestyle and drug therapies to address this trend.
Children with iron deficiency in infancy show persistent delays in both motor skills and cognitive abilities, even after treatment. These effects are most pronounced in children from low socioeconomic backgrounds, suggesting that addressing iron deficiency is crucial to mitigating long-term impacts on brain development.
A prospective study found that CAD significantly improves cancer detection rates, particularly for calcifications, while reducing recall rates slightly. The results indicate that CAD is an effective way to double-read mammograms without the need for a second radiologist.
The US remains top in science and engineering, but faces challenges from a shrinking native talent pool and increasing competition globally. Foreign-born workers have contributed to the country's success, but high-skill visas have declined significantly since 2001.
Photographer Jane Alden Stevens chronicles the enduring legacy of World War I through haunting black-and-white images. Her work reveals the persistence of human memory and the lasting effects of war on landscapes and people.
A subset of neural stem cells has been identified as having the ability to track malignant brain tumors called gliomas. The researchers found that astrocytic progenitors express a chemokine receptor called CXCR4, which is attracted by stromal-cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) secreted by glioma cells.
Middle-aged inner-city African-Americans experience higher levels of depressive symptoms than the general US population, according to a new study. The research found that risk factors for increased depressive symptoms include decreasing social support and being severely underweight or obese.
Researchers found that patients taking prednisolone had significantly higher CD4+ T-cell counts after two years compared to those not taking the drug. After five years, over 10% of patients on prednisolone maintained high CD4+ T-cell counts.
A new CAD system has shown promise as an adjunct to breast MRI in identifying benign lesions. The study found that the CAD system could help reduce biopsy rates by 18% if proven effective in larger studies.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have found that fat-derived cells can effectively heal skull defects in mice, outperforming bone marrow cells. The discovery holds promise for developing new treatments for bone fractures, joint replacements, and other skeletal conditions.
A team of industrial partners, including TechSolve Inc., is working with Purdue University to create an intelligent system that improves precision-grinding processes for parts production. The 'intelligent optimization and control grinding processes' use artificial-intelligence software to learn and adapt to changing conditions.
The study found that dedicated CT technology detected lower spine fractures in 36 patients, while plain radiographs only detected them in 28. Transverse process fractures were also identified more accurately on MDCT. The benefits of using MDCT include improved patient care and cost savings.
Commercial fishing methods are causing significant damage to Fijian coral reefs. The study highlights the importance of sustainable fishing practices to protect these critical ecosystems.
The MIDAS (Mathematical Information Domain for Assessment of Substantial Threats) project will create mathematical models to study infectious disease epidemics and community responses. The project, funded by the NIH, will provide user-friendly computer modeling tools for predicting and responding to bioterror threats.
A study found significant increases in blood pressure levels among children and adolescents between 1988-1994 and 1999-2000, with systolic levels increasing by 1.4mmHg and diastolic levels by 3.3mmHg. The researchers suggest that effective primary and secondary hypertension prevention programs are needed to address this trend.
A study published by the NIH found that US adult marijuana abuse and dependence increased significantly over a decade, with notable rises among young African-American and Hispanic men. The study used the DSM-IV classification system to assess trends in marijuana use, abuse, and dependence.
A recent study reveals a drastic decline in species diversity and productivity of an ecosystem, with significant consequences for the environment. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts to mitigate these effects and preserve biodiversity.
A new study shows that mixed amphetamine salts significantly improve behavior scores compared to atomoxetine, particularly in a 12-hour analog classroom setting. Additionally, mixed amphetamine salts also improve attention and academic productivity, allowing children to complete more math problems correctly.
MDCT angiography successfully diagnosed suspected arterial injuries in 48 of 49 patients, with only one patient requiring a follow-up angiogram. The study suggests that MDCT angiography can replace traditional angiography as an initial diagnostic tool.
The study found significant improvements in mood and sexual performance, with sustained increases in lean body mass and bone mineral density over 3.5 years. Researchers observed minimal skin irritation and no major adverse effects, paving the way for testosterone gel as a safe treatment option.