The greater sage-grouse and Gunnison sage-grouse are affected by changes in their ecosystems, including the suppression of fire and invasive species. Livestock grazing also impacts these birds, while oil and gas development threatens the sagebrush biome. Researchers discuss restoration options to mitigate these effects.
State gun safe storage laws, which require gun owners to lock up their guns, were associated with a 8.3% decrease in suicide rates among 14- to 17-year-olds. The study found that these laws may have prevented 333 suicides among this age group between 1989 and 2001.
Eight environmental stewards have won $900,000 in biodiversity awards for their conservation efforts. The winners include Maria Marta Chavarria, Graham Harris, and Mengistu Wondafrash, who were recognized for their work protecting endangered species and habitats in Costa Rica, Argentina, and Ethiopia.
A nationally representative survey of 799 Afghan adult household members found high prevalence of mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Women and disabled respondents had significantly poorer mental health status than men and nondisabled counterparts.
The huge market demand for forest moss is causing ecological concerns, with millions of pounds being harvested annually. The removal of large amounts of moss can lead to unintended consequences, such as removing endangered species or shipping insect pests overseas.
The UC Davis Cancer Center has a vigorous clinical trials program, with about 16% of new cancer patients participating in trials. This rate is significantly higher than the national average of less than 3%.
Researchers found that socially isolated hamsters healed wounds at a slower rate than those paired with a sibling, which also reduced stress hormone cortisol levels. Oxytocin treatment improved wound healing in stressed and non-stressed animals.
University of Houston College of Pharmacy students took first through fourth place in the Texas Pharmacy Association competition with projects on asthma management, community wellness, and medication labeling. The UH College of Pharmacy won for having the highest percentage of student body members in the TPA-ASP.
A study of street youth in Canada and the US found a mortality rate of 921 per 100,000 person-years, exceeding 11 times the general population rate. Independent predictors of mortality included HIV infection, daily alcohol use, homelessness, drug injection, and being male.
A new study evaluates patients with rheumatoid arthritis to understand their perception of treatment improvements and develop patient-based criteria for evaluating new treatments. The study will recruit 300 participants who have been diagnosed with RA and are currently treated with various medications.
A national survey of 2,500 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery members found that 45% of physicians reported a recent medical error in their practice. The most common errors were technical mistakes during procedures, medication errors, and testing errors.
State CAP laws associated with an 8.3% reduction in youth suicide rates for 14- to 17-year-olds, particularly those using firearms. The study estimates that over 300 youth suicides were prevented, saving 35 lives in 2001.
A phase III study uses IL13-PE38QQR, a hybrid protein that attaches to specific receptors on tumor cells, to target residual GBM brain tumors. The treatment, convection-enhanced delivery, facilitates infusion of the drug into the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier.
A new study found that social bonding has a positive effect on wound healing in monogamous mice but not in those with multiple partners. Corticosterone levels, a stress hormone, were lower in socialized monogamous mice and showed no difference in non-monogamous mice.
Babies with complete DiGeorge syndrome, a fatal genetic disorder, are saved by a new combination of immune suppression and thymus transplantation. The technique reduces the risk of infection and allows infants to develop a functioning immune system.
Researchers found that removing a diseased thyroid from under the arm provides a cosmetic incision and inconspicuous scars. This approach may become a new standard for thyroid surgery in the US as minimally invasive techniques gain popularity.
The Texas flagship universities will participate in the Giant Magellan Telescope Consortium to explore the universe's frontiers. The GMT will collect five times more light than the Hobby-Eberly telescope and produce images 10 times sharper, enabling groundbreaking discoveries about the origins of the universe.
The current method of discounting in economic evaluation may not accurately reflect individuals' true preferences, as time preference varies widely. Healthcare programs with longer-term benefits are often undervalued, highlighting the need for a revised methodology.
A randomized clinical trial showed that adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy for colon cancer patients offer no disease-free or overall survival benefits after 10 years. The improvements in 5-year survival rates observed in the past have disappeared over time, suggesting that newer chemotherapy regimens may be more effective.
Climate models project a significant impact on Alaska's tundra ecosystem, with up to 90% loss of tundra area by 2100. Increased precipitation and temperature changes will lead to shifts in vegetation, insect and pathogen attacks, and potential forest fires.
The LSU Vet School has received a $9.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish a Center for Experimental Infectious Disease Research. The COBRE program aims to enhance the school's research capacity and competitiveness for NIH grants, focusing on human health and comparative medicine.
A new study found that Akt pathway activation is associated with better response rates and reduced disease progression in lung cancer patients treated with gefitinib. The researchers identified P-Akt positivity as a key marker for predicting patient response, but not P-MAPK positivity.
A study found that low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer in overweight and obese women. The association was strongest in women who gained weight over the years of follow-up.
A new stable phase in the Gulf of Maine marine ecosystem has emerged, marked by expansive kelp beds and the dominance of crabs and lobsters. This change is attributed to a drastic reduction in top predators like cod, leading to trophic-level dysfunction.