Prudent-layperson laws have reduced emergency department denials based on symptoms, rather than diagnoses. Insurers are now more likely to cover treatments, and fines for non-compliance have increased industry-wide changes in ED claims management.
Researchers have developed a faster and more environmentally friendly polishing slurry using green tea extract, which can save hard-drive manufacturers millions of dollars in disposal costs. The new slurry works by binding to tiny particles on the surface of read-write heads, making them easy to remove with water.
Epileptic seizures result from brain dysfunction, with early diagnosis and treatment crucial to preventing irreversible damage. The stigma surrounding epilepsy exacerbates the condition's impact on daily life and quality of life.
A study by Ohio State University found that despite new regulations, only half of recalled meat and poultry products are actually recovered from the market. The number of recalls has increased due to more sensitive tests, but their success rate remains low. Small plants have shown a better recovery rate than large ones.
A randomized trial of adult stem cell injections in heart failure patients showed significant improvement in cardiac function. The study found that patients who received stem cells had improved ejection fractions and increased Connexin 43 protein levels, indicating better communication between cells.
A team of scientists found that a single genetic mutation in the BBS4 protein can cause complex disorders like obesity, diabetes, and retinal degeneration. The researchers discovered that the mutation affects microtubule function, which is essential for cellular division and cell death.
Researchers have discovered a molecular force used by spiders to attach themselves to surfaces, which could be the key to creating super-strong adhesive Post-it notes. The van der Waals force is so strong that it allows spiders to carry their own body weight on their feet while standing on ceilings.
A recent study analyzing over 1,700 surgeries found that open surgery was more effective than laparoscopic repairs for treating groin hernias. The study also revealed that surgeons' experience with the procedure played a significant role in its success.
A study found that only 25% of internal medicine residency programs in the US have formal instruction on interacting with drug company sales representatives. A six-hour curriculum was developed to teach residents about the ethics of these interactions and how they can be influenced by marketing tactics.
A recent study found that undersized hearts can adapt by increasing in mass without affecting function or survival rates. This discovery could expand the heart donor pool to meet growing demand, with 3,490 people currently waiting for a transplant.
Researchers discovered that abnormal signals scattered across brain images, like a fireworks display, occur in patients who lose consciousness during seizures. In contrast, patients who don't lose consciousness have localized increases confined to the temporal lobe.
The US Pentagon is using cutting-edge sensors and software tests to protect against airborne hazards, including chemical and biological attacks. The system includes a multiscale weather forecast model, lidars, and other sensors to monitor air flow and turbulence around the building.
The NIST virtual surface calibration Web site provides free two-dimensional surface texture analysis software and a database of 10 different types of surface profiles. Manufacturers can validate software measurements and upload their own surface profiles to gain confidence in the accuracy of their software.
A 24-month study found that everolimus reduced intimal thickening and cardiovascular events, while sirolimus showed plaque regression. The results suggest that intravascular ultrasound measurements can be used as a valid surrogate for therapeutic intervention.
A study found that 73% of Canadian doctors can't estimate treatment costs within 25% of actual costs. They tend to underestimate expensive treatments and overestimate cheap ones, which can lead to unnecessary prescribing. The pharmaceutical industry's reluctance to provide cost information further hampers this process.
NIST's new portable 'rainbow' source enables precise color calibration across the entire visible light spectrum, addressing uncertainty in instruments measuring ocean and atmospheric properties. The highly portable source has been ordered by NOAA to reduce uncertainties in satellite calibrations.
Researchers developed a multi-gene molecular expression assay test to identify the quiescent state after heart transplantation and predict future occurrence of rejection. The test can help manage transplant patients' immunosuppression regimens and reduce discomfort during constant monitoring.
Scientists recommend overhaul of college introductory science courses to implement inquiry-based and active-learning strategies. This approach has proven to spark student interest in science, improve learning outcomes, especially among women and underrepresented minorities.
Researchers found that using an escrow settlement model settles cases more quickly and reduces litigation costs by 37%. The study, published in the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, showed that 69% of cases were settled out of court using this method.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered that curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, can correct the defective chloride channel responsible for cystic fibrosis. In tissue culture and mouse model systems, curcumin restored normal function to the nasal and rectal epithelia of CFTR mice.
A Temple University study found that patients with diseased aortic valves before receiving an LVAD have significantly lower survival to transplant rates. Conversely, those with normal aortic valves have higher survival rates, suggesting the importance of valve repair or upgrade in heart transplant optimization.
The study found that CellCept significantly reduced the risk of malignancy in patients following heart transplantation, with a 27% lower relative risk compared to azathioprine (AZA). The use of CellCept was also associated with a reduced risk of certain rare cancers, particularly skin cancer.
The NIST-developed standards provide guidelines for capturing, storing, and interpreting images of the eye to aid in diagnosing diabetic retinopathy. This approach allows healthcare professionals flexibility in choosing equipment, while ensuring quality image capture.
Luna Innovations plans to manufacture Trimetaspheres, soccerball-shaped molecules with enhanced MRI imaging capabilities. The company's ATP project enabled cost-effective production of nanomaterials with potential uses in consumer and military products.
A Mayo Clinic study found that most children with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) carry a particular gene from their mother, triggering an immune response. The research suggests that maternal cells may play a role in the development of JDM, a rare condition that causes inflammation and muscle damage.
Researchers investigate protein regulators of inflammation and hypertension, aiming to find direct cause-and-effect relationship between the two. The study could lead to new targets for treating high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease.
Researchers found that RSV can remain dormant in lung tissue for over 100 days after initial symptoms disappear, suggesting a possible link to recurring wheezing and childhood asthma in infected children.
Researchers at Yale University developed an imaging test that identifies patients with schizophrenia with 97 percent accuracy. The test targets abnormalities in the auditory cortex and has potential as a powerful clinical tool for assessing schizophrenia.
Researchers found that the ultimate speed of magnetic switching is at least 1,000 times slower than previously expected. The experiment's results have significant implications for future hard disk computer drive technologies.
Researchers found fossils of green sulfur bacteria and oxygen-breathing sea reptiles coexisting in Oxford Clay sediment, challenging the standard interpretation of the fossil record. The team's discovery suggests that environmental conditions were dynamic during deposition, possibly due to climatic changes.
A randomized, prospective study found that tacrolimus + mycophenolate mofetil and steroids significantly reduce incidence of treated rejection and improve graft function compared to other regimens. The combination therapy also showed better lipid profiles and reduced risk of certain infections.
Researchers found that everolimus, when combined with cyclosporine and steroids, prevents transplant rejection and lowers risk of infection and complications more effectively than traditional anti-rejection therapy. A two-year study demonstrated the drug's improved safety and efficacy in preventing heart transplant rejection.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have overcome a major obstacle to creating large libraries of drug-like peptides. By modifying naturally occurring amino acids with a methyl group, they can produce up to 10 billion stabilized peptides in a single reaction. This breakthrough enables the rapid testing of potential medicines and has s...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a fat cell hormone, adiponectin, that can cause weight loss in mice by increasing their metabolic rate. This finding has far-reaching potential to help treat obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
The four new research centers will study the effects of harmful algal blooms, marine pathogens, and ocean potential for drug discovery. The combined expertise of experts in biomedical and oceanographic sciences will accelerate scientific discovery.
Researchers Drs Sun and Arceci find that loss of PASG gene results in reduced genomic methylation and premature aging in mice. The study reveals a potential model for studying aging and epigenetic regulation, with implications for cancer predisposition and therapeutic targeting.
Researchers at HHMI argue that supplementing lectures with active learning strategies leads to better understanding and success in science courses. The study recommends revamping introductory courses, training scientists to teach, and changing the reward system to emphasize good teaching.
A study analyzing published and unpublished trials found that most SSRI antidepressants pose a higher risk than benefits in treating childhood depression. The analysis highlights the need for greater access to unpublished data from the pharmaceutical industry to ensure accurate treatment guidelines.
Researchers used satellites to create an 18-year record of global land surface temperatures, confirming that snow-free land surfaces have warmed. The satellite data provides a more detailed and comprehensive understanding of climate changes and will improve computer modeling.
A study found that tobacco smoke exposure is responsible for more than half the non-lung cancer death rate in African-American males, and up to two-thirds of their overall cancer death rate. The excess cancer burden can be clearly linked to smoking, with significant declines in mortality rates observed when smoking declined.
A multinational team of scientists has found microscopic life colonized in ancient volcanic lava dating back nearly 3.5 billion years. The discovery was made in the Barberton Greenstone Belt, a location that was previously thought to be inhospitable for life.
A research team found mineralized tubes and DNA associated with microbial activity in ancient basaltic glass samples, suggesting that microbes colonized the early oceanic crust. The discovery provides clues to the origin of life on Earth.
The EU's new eastern border raises concerns about the growth of communicable diseases in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Public health systems have struggled to respond to these challenges, and a global response is needed to strengthen health systems and prevent disease spread.
A 1999 outbreak of furunculosis in rural Alaska identified individuals with MRSA who received more antibiotics, highlighting a link between antibiotic use and increased risk of skin infections. The study found that Panton-Valentine leukocidin virulence factor was present in nearly all methicillin-resistant isolates.
A Stanford study reveals a connection between archaea abundance and gum disease severity, affecting about one-third of Americans. The research found that more than one-third of patients with chronic periodontitis harbored archaea in their diseased subgingival spaces but not elsewhere.
The book Challenges for Rural America in the 21st Century examines rural social change, economic transformation, and policy implications. Key findings include unevenly spread gaming benefits, elder care challenges, and the need for rural communities to adapt to a decentralized system.
A new diagnostic test using proteomic signature analysis has been developed to accurately diagnose sleeping sickness. The test showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98.6%, offering a promising solution for early detection and treatment.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that nitric oxide attaches to parkin protein, reducing its ability to mark proteins for destruction. This process may contribute to Parkinson's disease progression, providing a potential new target for treatment.
A new investigational anthrax vaccine is being tested in a phase II human study at Saint Louis University. The vaccine aims to provide better protection, an improved safety profile and a simpler dosing schedule.
Cornell University Library will collaborate with Göttingen State and University Library in Germany to develop an online archive of digital mathematics serial publications. The project aims to provide long-term access to e-research literature and serves as a model for similar efforts in other disciplines.
A University of Florida study found that sibling violence is a predictor of dating violence, particularly among those who experienced physical abuse as children. The survey of over 500 participants revealed that siblings who were abused or perpetrated violence towards each other were more likely to engage in abusive behavior in their r...
The US President's FY 2005 budget proposes significant cuts to non-defense Research and Development (R&D) programs, with some agencies facing declines of up to 28%. The largest decreases will occur in the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, and National Institutes of Health.
A new study further reinforces CellCept's cardioprotective profile, demonstrating lower rates of coronary artery disease in patients treated with CellCept compared to azathioprine. This finding could explain the superior survival benefits observed with CellCept.
A major study at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that a bioartificial liver significantly reduced mortality among patients with acute liver failure. The treatment showed a 44% reduction in mortality rates compared to standard supportive care, offering new possibilities for treating this life-threatening condition.
Four new research centers will bring together experts in biomedical and oceanographic sciences to study the effects of harmful algal blooms, marine pathogens, and the oceans' potential for drug discovery. The centers will accelerate scientific discovery and develop new sensors for early warning systems.
The Woods Hole COHH will research how oceanic processes affect human pathogens, focusing on temperate coastal ocean distribution and persistence. The center aims to address public health threats from harmful algal blooms and contaminated coastal waters.
A genome-wide screen reveals new functions for old genes associated with chromosome cohesion, a process keeping chromosomes together until cell division. The study identified 17 genes involved in this critical aspect of genetic material manipulation.
Scientists found that Condensin compacts DNA against a weak stretching force, but increasing the force reverses compaction. The researchers observed jumps in distance between DNA ends during compaction and decompaction.
A team of researchers has successfully corrected a genetic defect responsible for cystic fibrosis in mice using turmeric extract. Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, was able to release the mutant CFTR protein from an inappropriate compartment inside the cell and allow it to function normally.
According to Dr. George Lister, using high-dose epinephrine in children may impair organ function and survival after cardiac arrest. Limiting doses to recommended levels can reduce errors and improve outcomes.