MGH cancer specialists propose a new 'selective approval' mechanism to identify most suitable patients for targeted therapies. This approach could improve treatment outcomes and reduce waste of resources.
Two young scientists, Matthew R. Jones and Takuya Sakaguchi, have been awarded the APS Postdoctoral Fellowship to investigate the roles of Interleukin-6 in pneumonia infections and liver organogenesis, respectively. The fellowship aims to advance understanding of physiological genomics by integrating cellular and molecular biology.
A recent study examined near-term and full-term newborns at Massachusetts General Hospital and found that the near-term group had significantly more diagnoses of clinical problems. The average hospital stay costs for near-term infants were also $2,600 higher than those of full-term infants.
A research team from Purdue University has successfully created RNA-based nanoscale structures, which could be used as building blocks for microscopic machines. The researchers have developed methods to self-assemble RNA molecules into complex shapes, such as arrays that can form the scaffolding on which other components could be mounted.
A blood stem cell has been found to give rise to bone in mice, suggesting a potential basis for treatments to repair or restore bone. The study used retroviral integration site analysis to prove that a single type of stem cell can produce two distinct bodily tissues.
Researchers found that children who received venom allergy shots had significantly fewer life-threatening reactions when restung, even years later. Dr. Rebecca Gruchalla recommends the shots for kids with severe allergic reactions to insect stings, which are responsible for at least 40 fatal stings per year.
The survey found that despite parents' awareness of hepatitis B, many are unaware of the disease's severity and the availability of a vaccine. The Society for Adolescent Medicine provides guidance to enhance parent-adolescent relationships and offers resources to promote healthy behaviors.
Researchers have successfully bridged the 'Kuzyk quantum gap' in molecular nonlinear optics, creating a new hybrid material that can harness light's power. This innovation could lead to faster internet speeds and more efficient communication systems.
Transgenic tobacco plants produce recombinant proteins economically, benefiting from plant-made vaccines with reduced viral screening costs. The process of recovering and purifying these proteins is expensive, requiring development of more economical techniques to lower production costs.
A Rutgers-Newark scientist has found that mosquitoes may carry a lethal parasite called B. algerae, which can invade human muscle tissue and cause death. The parasite is typically found in the tissues of mosquitoes and can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites.
Researchers studied fossil whales and found significant changes in their ear anatomy, which enabled them to transition from a land-based to a marine-based existence. The new sound transmission system allowed modern cetaceans to locate prey using echolocation, making it crucial for survival.
The Oregon Health & Science University has launched a new Bioanalytical Shared Resource (BSR) lab, supported by the $500 million Oregon Opportunity initiative. The BSR provides advanced analytical services for drugs and molecules, enabling researchers to quickly move from laboratory to patient testing.
A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that farmed salmon have significantly higher levels of flame retardants, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), than wild salmon. Wild Chinook salmon from British Columbia showed the highest average PBDE levels.
Scientists charted T. rex life history for the first time, revealing a giant size due to an extraordinary growth spurt from 14 to 18 years of age. This was followed by about 10 years of little or no growth as an adult. The study provides insight into T. rex evolution, biology, biomechanics and population dynamics.
Researchers used growth line counts on T. rex and other relatives to estimate accelerated growth from age 14-18, gaining insight into how these dinosaurs became gargantuan. The study compares T. rex's growth rate to modern-day elephants.
Researchers identified vulnerabilities in Wi-Fi networks that can drain battery life and disrupt communication infrastructure. A proposed solution involves reputation-based control systems to strengthen routing protocols against stealth attacks.
The Cluster mission has found a new way for charged particles from the solar wind to enter Earth's magnetosphere, using giant vortices called non-linear Kelvin-Helmholtz waves. These vortices can carry particles inside the magnetosphere, potentially explaining the presence of hot plasma stored in the tail of Earth's magnetic field.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Virginia Tech a $600,000 grant to support the development of efficient inexpensive fuel cell materials. The university will work with Battelle, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and several companies to bridge gaps in materials, processes, and test methodologies.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have created a library of small protein-like molecules that can self-assemble to form hollow corkscrew-like pores. These man-made pores can mimic biological function, filtering out unwanted molecules from solutions or carrying specific molecules across cellular membranes.
A new treatment combination of peginterferon and ribavirin has been shown to significantly improve viral control in patients with both HIV and hepatitis C. The study found that 40% of patients treated with peginterferon achieved HCV clearance, compared to 12% on the standard interferon treatment.
This book presents six different models of the cardiovascular and pulmonary system, including a two-dimensional modeling of fluid dynamics in the heart. The models are introduced by case studies and can be studied individually, serving as an excellent introduction for researchers and graduate students.
A study found that children who received venom immunotherapy for moderate to severe allergic reactions had a lower risk of future reactions, including those with no prior treatment. The therapy was shown to last for up to three and a half years, making it an effective long-term solution for managing bee sting allergies.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have identified leukemia stem cells in chronic myelogenous leukemia, a breakthrough that could lead to new targeted therapies. The discovery reveals that normal adult cells can mutate into cancer stem cells, which are resistant to chemotherapy and require a specific protein called Wnt to self-renew.
Researchers discover Rho proteins cause cells to break off and form colonies distant from the original cell colony. This phenomenon may lead to the development of more specific treatments for cancerous cells.
Four New York City clinics improved primary care services for low-income patients by redesigning their systems using a learning collaborative approach. The initiatives achieved significant reductions in wait times, improved financial performance, and increased patient access.