A new study has provided proof of principle for a combined stem cell-gene therapy approach as a potential treatment for cystic fibrosis. The researchers were able to correct the CFTR gene defect using adult stem cells and ex vivo gene therapy, which may offer advantages in screening and long-term function.
A study by University of South Florida researchers found that Medicare HMO beneficiaries who underwent colon resection incurred the same overall hospital charges as traditional Medicare patients, despite shorter hospital stays. The study suggests that Medicare HMOs failed to achieve their cost-saving goal in this instance.
Researchers found that MECP2 target gene DLX5 is overexpressed in RTT patients due to loss of silent chromatin looping and impaired imprinting. This misregulation leads to increased expression of GABA, a neurotransmitter essential for brain function.
Emergency department patients with unmet substance abuse treatment needs are 81% more likely to be admitted during their visit and 46% more likely to have visited the ER in the previous year. These patients account for $777.2 million in extra hospital charges annually.
Rutgers-Newark researchers found that early movement provides critical information to the developing brain for proper sensory representation. This discovery may explain how the brain determines spatial awareness and distance perception.
Scientists used NASA Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) to analyze vegetation and soil changes in response to rain variation over large areas. They found that long-term decrease in litter cover is the most evident sign of desertification, with significant changes in green vegetation and bare soil areas.
A study found that households with parents visiting children's homes are more likely to store firearms unlocked and have poor medication storage practices. Homes with older adults and child visitors tend to have more firearms and less safe storage, but the difference is not statistically significant.
A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that aspirin use is underutilized among diabetic women and young adults. The researchers discovered a significant disparity in aspirin use between men and women with diabetes, with only 34% of women using aspirin regularly compared to 42% of men.
Researchers found that blocking CCL2 eliminates foreign body giant cells, protecting implants from damage. This discovery paves the way for a new class of therapeutic drugs to sustain implants and improve their functionality.
A multi-site study found that acupuncture significantly decreases pain and improves function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Participants receiving acupuncture showed a 40% decrease in pain and nearly 40% improvement in function compared to baseline assessments.
A Northwestern University study reveals potentially fatal blood clots in up to 20% of cancer patients treated with thalidomide. The drug's exclusive off-label use hinders information sharing about side effects.
Anthocyanins in cherries show promise for preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes, with a 50% increase in insulin levels observed in mouse cells. More human studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Acupuncture was found to be effective in treating osteoarthritis of the knee, while its effectiveness for chronic neck pain was no better than placebo. A third study identified a clinical prediction rule that can predict which patients with low-back pain are most likely to benefit from spinal manipulation.
A recent study found that ending racial disparities in healthcare could save up to 886,202 lives, compared to the 176,633 lives saved by technological advances. The authors argue that investing more in healthcare disparities correction could lead to significant cost savings and improved health outcomes.
Researchers discovered distinct patterns of mRNA in saliva that can indicate developing oral cancer. The study found that a salivary test could identify cancer patients with high accuracy, potentially replacing current diagnostic tests.
Long waits for inpatient beds in emergency departments can lead to significant revenue loss, as delayed care blocks beds that could treat incoming patients. The study found hospitals may lose up to $168,000 in potential revenue per admitted chest pain patient wait, with the annual loss potentially exceeding $1.74 million.
A study found that patients with moderate or severe hand dermatitis responded significantly to oral alitretinoin treatment, with up to 53% of patients achieving clear skin. The highest dose of alitretinoin showed the most substantial response rates, making it a potential treatment option for these patients.
Researchers found that blocking CDK2 activity may control deadly skin cancer without harming normal cells. The study's findings suggest a therapeutic window for a drug that suppresses melanoma growth by shutting down CDK2 activity, potentially leading to a new treatment option.
A new study published in Cancer Cell reveals that combining radiation with antiangiogenic therapy can significantly slow tumor growth when administered at the right time. The research found that a unique time period exists during which this combination is most effective, making it a potential breakthrough in cancer treatment.
Researchers found that timing is crucial in combining antiangiogenesis and radiation therapy, with a synergistic effect observed when radiation was administered 4-6 days after initiation of DC101 therapy. This approach improved oxygen delivery to the tumor, reducing hypoxia and increasing sensitivity to radiation.
VA patients outperformed non-VA patients in delivering recommended care for acute, chronic, and preventive conditions, with significant differences found in areas with established performance measures and electronic medical records.
The study reveals that step-families struggle with deciding where children should spend Christmas, particularly when a non-resident father is involved. Mothers often prioritize fairness between biological and step-parents, leading to difficult negotiations.
Researchers found that mutated MeCP2 protein represses genes, specifically targeting imprinted genes like DLX5, leading to misregulation of neurotransmitter GABA production. The study links specific defects in chromatin folding to Rett Syndrome for the first time.
Research suggests shared residence isn't always better for children, with rivalries and over-controlling parents causing harm. Flexible approaches respecting young people's changing needs are recommended instead.
Researchers found that young owls can quickly pick up new skills and retain them into adulthood, with new connections forming between neurons. This suggests that childhood experiences play a crucial role in shaping the brain's ability to adapt and learn throughout life.
New research reveals that children from post-divorce families are not necessarily better off with equal parenting time. Step-families are growing rapidly, with nearly 20% of dads aged 34 being step-fathers. Caribbean families in Britain increasingly celebrate Kwaanza as a holiday tradition.
Researchers found that hospitals should prioritize fairness over quick decisions when facing a crisis like SARS, citing the need for transparency and accountability in decision-making. The study suggests areas for improvement, including better access to rationales behind decisions and formal revision/appeals mechanisms.
Kwaanza, a spiritual and family-based celebration, is gaining popularity among Caribbean communities as an alternative to Christmas. Young people from the region express cynicism towards Christmas's emphasis on consumer culture, instead embracing Kwaanza's focus on family unity and community.
Research by Dr David Voas reveals that the people of Hereford are the strongest Christmas churchgoers in Britain, with more than 10% taking to the pews during the festival. In contrast, Manchester and Guildford have much lower attendance figures, with fewer than 2% of people attending Anglican services at Christmas.
Scientists at the University of Nevada discovered that plants absorb mercury from the atmosphere through their leaves, releasing it back into the environment. This finding has significant global implications for mercury controls and highlights the need for a collaborative effort to mitigate mercury pollution.
The NIH has suspended the use of celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, in its large-scale cancer prevention trial after finding a two-fold increased risk of cardiovascular toxicities. The decision was made following a September 2004 report that highlighted concerns over the safety of rofecoxib, another COX-2 inhibitor.
A newly discovered compound, SP-4-84, has shown potential to enhance cancer treatments by increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs while reducing side effects. The compound works by inhibiting cancer cells' ability to survive chemotherapeutic treatment, allowing for lower drug dosages and fewer side effects.
EMSELEX, a new drug for treating overactive bladder, has shown efficacy in reducing incontinence episodes by up to 77% compared to placebo. The medication, selective for the M3 receptor, also improves symptoms such as urinary frequency and urgency.
Chronic kidney disease affects over 7.4 million Americans with less than half the kidney function of a healthy adult, while an additional 11.3 million have at least half normal function but persistent protein in their urine. Raising awareness and controlling diabetes and hypertension are critical to reducing progression and complications.
Two University of Houston chemical engineering students built a fuel-cell-powered shoebox car that carried 400ml water 75ft in under an hour. The team's achievement marked the first time UH students participated at the national level.
Dr. Alfred Sommer receives the prestigious Pollin Prize for his groundbreaking research on vitamin A supplementation, saving millions of children's lives worldwide. Dr. Parul Christian is awarded a $100,000 fellowship stipend to continue her work on maternal nutrition and infant mortality in developing countries.
A Yale University study found that children with increased preoperative anxiety are more likely to experience delirium and new maladaptive behavioral changes after surgery. Children who are younger, more emotional, and less social are at high risk of developing these issues.
Researchers at Emory University reveal a new pathway for formaldehyde decomposition that bypasses the traditional transition state, providing evidence for alternative mechanisms in chemical reactions. The study's findings have implications for our understanding of transition-state theory and its applications in chemistry and biochemistry.
The UCSB team has developed RNA grids with finite size and various patterns using atomic force microscopy, visualizing beautiful nano-grids and jigsaw puzzle-like structures. The researchers aim to attain total control of matter arrangement at a molecular level for applications in nanotechnology and medical testing.
A large retrospective study found that tuberculosis incidence doubled within the first year of HIV infection and increased four-fold after two years. The study's unique setting, including a high incidence of tuberculosis among miners and access to free healthcare, facilitated the research.
Saneron CCEL, a biotechnology R&D startup, has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the NIH to develop Sertoli cells combined with stem cells for treating spinal cord injuries. The company aims to provide readily available, non-controversial stem cells for cellular therapies.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed a chemical process to extract ethanol and xylitol from cotton gin residue. This technology has the potential to create a new industry in the state's cotton-growing region, providing a solution to the problem of residue disposal.
The American Association for Cancer Research and The V Foundation are awarding $600,000 in grants to four cancer research teams, led by top scientists, to accelerate progress against cancer. The grants will support translational research projects that aim to improve survival and quality of life for patients.
The Prentiss Foundation has awarded $5 million to University Hospitals of Cleveland to create an inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric unit. This funding will address urgent needs for access to mental health care, training programs, and research for children and adolescents in Northeast Ohio.
Researchers used fMRI to capture the brain's unconscious emotional processing of fearful faces, revealing activity in the amygdala and cortex. The study found that anxious individuals showed more brain activity, indicating a biological basis for unconscious emotional vigilance.
Researchers warn of growing ethical challenges in neuroscience as brain imaging technologies become more accessible. Breakthroughs in functional neuroimaging enable the study of cognitive processes, but also raise concerns about corporate profits and personal data privacy.
Researchers have developed DNA scaffolding that allows for the creation of high-performance nanoelectronic circuits with unprecedented precision. The technology uses synthetic DNA tiles to assemble devices closely, enabling short interconnects and high performance.
A study by Dr. David V. Day and colleagues found that NHL players who held the captaincy position outperformed their peers without such responsibilities. The researchers attribute this improvement to the culture of leadership promoted in the league.
Researchers found that combined dietary olestra and caloric restriction increased the rate of excretion of a test toxin by 30-fold and reduced its distribution into the brain by 50%. The study also showed that weight loss and regain resulted in changes to the concentration of toxins in adipose tissue and liver.
A researcher created a model to simulate the dynamics of heart rhythm disorders, including ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. The model revealed that only six spiral waves are present in the heart during fibrillation, contradicting previous assumptions about its chaotic nature.
Researchers have created a surface that can align liquid-crystal molecules, enabling the construction of LCDs and opening up the possibility of biosensors. The aligned liquid crystals can detect the presence of certain types of DNA without additional equipment.
A study of 2,609 participants found that drinking outside of meals significantly increases the risk of hypertension. The research also showed that the volume of alcohol consumed played a more important role in the relationship between drinking and high blood pressure than how often a person drank.
A recent NASA study reveals that tiny particles in the air can have a significant effect on how much carbon is transferred from the atmosphere to below-ground carbon sinks. The research found that aerosols, not clouds, tend to scatter sunlight, allowing more radiation to penetrate to leaves and increasing photosynthesis rates.
Dr. Keith Wilkinson's Nobel Prize-winning research on ubiquitin has provided detailed information about cell survival and death, shedding light on the ubiquitin system's role in regulating protein turnover rates. The discoveries present opportunities to develop highly selective drugs targeting various aspects of the ubiquitin pathway.
Experts say doctors need extensive training to prepare for bioterrorism threats, which can involve an incubation period of days or weeks. Doctors will be expected to recognize rare conditions and take appropriate action, balancing suspicion with hysteria.
A study comparing the relative sensitivity of colonoscopy, ACBE, and CTC found that colonoscopy detected 98% of large and 99% of small lesions, outperforming ACBE and CTC. The results have important implications for clinicians considering colon imaging tests and potentially for colon cancer screening programs.
Researchers identified HIP14 as a key enzyme in palmitoylation, a process essential for normal nervous system function. The discovery sheds light on mechanisms underlying diseases like Alzheimer's and Huntington Disease.
Astronomers have discovered a quadra-polar nebula with two disks formed at different times, challenging the companion-star-only model. The study, led by C. Robert O'Dell, used sharp new images from the Hubble Space Telescope to reconstruct the 3D structure of the Helix Nebula.
A new study by the University of Chicago reveals that Greenland's ancient rocks are sedimentary and not igneous, providing evidence for biological activity 3.85 billion years ago. The findings support the search for early life on Earth and open up new possibilities for research.
Research finds American pikas' local extinction at 36% of US sites studied due to climate change. Pikas' inability to thermoregulate in extreme temperatures makes them susceptible to habitat loss and extinction.