Researchers Hubbard and Love propose a new system for funding drug development, separating R&D and product markets. This could lead to greater openness in drug research, reduced prices, and expanded access to new medicines.
A study of influenza vaccination in children with asthma found no significant reduction in asthma exacerbations caused by the flu. In contrast, a separate study showed that maternal and personal smoking synergize to increase airflow limitation in offspring, increasing the risk of Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
A new imaging technique reveals the presence of a previously unknown organelle called a retinosome, which houses retinyl esters essential to the regeneration process. The discovery could lead to better understanding and treatment of congenital blindness caused by defects in the retinoid cycle.
Two studies in the February 18 issue of JNCI investigated aspirin use and its association with two types of cancer. Regular aspirin use was found to lower Hodgkin's lymphoma risk, while patients with Barrett's esophagus may benefit from cost-effective aspirin therapy for esophageal cancer chemoprevention.
Researchers developed a two-pronged approach to stimulate nerve cell growth and overcome inhibitory proteins, achieving triple the axon regeneration achieved with growth factors alone. The technique aims to restore vision and treat spinal cord injuries, strokes, and neurodegenerative diseases.
A study found that cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as diabetes and hypertension, predict the development of new-onset kidney disease in unselected participants. Patients with mildly reduced GFR should be monitored for progression to kidney disease.
New guidelines have been revised to improve the detection of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) by prioritizing MSI testing in patients under 50 and those with family history, reducing risk for cancers associated with specific mutations.
Researchers developed a novel tumor cell-specific therapy that restores p53 protein function in cancer cells. This approach eliminates tumors and increases animal survival by up to six times, offering promising implications for targeted therapies.
A recent editorial by Ralph Snyderman emphasizes the importance of clinical research in advancing healthcare. The key element needed to define and monitor effective health strategies is clinical research, including translating basic scientific findings into medical treatments and evaluating patient outcomes.
The Gerontological Society of America offers the $10,000 Maxwell A. Pollack Award to recognize significant contributions to geriatrics and gerontology. Nominations include a resume, narrative, and policy/practice change examples.
Researchers have discovered insulin-producing cells in various tissues in diabetic mice, which can be triggered by high blood sugar. The findings suggest that these cells could be harnessed to generate insulin-producing cells from other tissues, offering a potential breakthrough for diabetes treatment.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that DHEA significantly increases the division of human neural stem cells, leading to increased neurogenesis. The study's findings provide direct evidence of DHEA's effects on critical human cells, shedding light on the hormone's potential benefits and risks.
Researchers found that younger children and smaller children have a lower risk of infection due to higher T lymphocyte counts, while low dendritic cell numbers correlate with increased risk. A closer cord blood match also reduces the risk of infection.
The Mayo Clinic's new biofusion technology targets cancer tumor cells by exploiting the natural tendency of fused cells to kill each other. This approach also promotes immune responses and repairs damaged tissues, offering a promising platform for anticancer treatment and vaccine delivery.
Researchers found that referential gesturing improves identification of targets and reduces verbal cues when participants can see each other. The study published in Psychological Science shows that pointing facilitates the use of verbal descriptions by focusing the audience's gaze on a specific subregion of shared visual space.
Scientists found a possible link between increasing greenhouse gases and European heat waves, while also studying the transfer of energy from earthquakes through Earth's formations. Additionally, research revealed the Amazon River's strong impact on tropical Atlantic carbon levels and new insights into Martian drainage basins that may ...
The M. Powell Lawton Award recognizes significant contributions to gerontological treatment, practice, or service, as well as innovative public policy changes that improve the lives of older persons. Nominees must be endorsed by a GSA member and can be from any discipline.
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has received a federal grant to advance research on infant heart disease. The grant will support five projects aimed at developing new treatments for congenital heart defects, including gene-based diagnoses and improved biologically-based materials for heart surgery.
A study of 81 T-rated video games found that many contained violence, sexual themes, and profanity not mentioned on the game box. Researchers recommend more uniform and complete information about game content to help parents make informed decisions.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified a compound called cardiogenol C that can selectively differentiate embryonic stem cells into heart muscle cells. This breakthrough could potentially lead to the development of new treatments for repairing damaged heart tissue.
A Baylor College of Medicine study reveals that the hormone amylin inhibits bone loss and resorption. Mice without amylin have less bone mass due to increased bone destruction, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue for preventing osteoporosis in Type 1 diabetes patients.
The EMBC has agreed to a six-year budget for EMBO, providing stability for European molecular biology research. This agreement was reached after earlier proposals requested higher funding levels, but ultimately, a compromise was made to support the organization's activities and promote scientific advancements in Europe.
A new study predicts that global warming will diminish Western US mountain snow cover by up to 70% by 2050, leading to increased flooding and drought. The loss of snowpack will disrupt the region's agriculture, fisheries, and hydropower industries.
The use of high-powered synchrotron X-ray sources and advanced detectors has significantly progressed protein structure calculation. Novel technologies like Energy Recovery Linacs (ERLs) will enable unprecedented brilliance in X-ray beams, opening new avenues for scientific exploration.
Researchers found that patients with multiple sclerosis who experience high levels of fatigue have widespread axonal damage in their brains. The study suggests that the nerve damage may be the underlying cause of fatigue, rather than other factors like conduction block or inflammatory mediators.
Negative clinical trial results from SSRIs go unpublished, while flimsy data support their use. Flawed trial design, secrecy in approvals process, and inadequate adverse drug reporting systems contribute to ineffective and unsafe drugs entering the market.
A study of 332 randomized trials found industry-funded trials more likely to yield statistically significant pro-industry findings. Pharmaceutical companies prioritize trials with higher potential for positive results. This bias affects not only medical treatments but also new surgical interventions.
A study suggests that genetic enhancement can increase muscle mass and strength in rats, which could benefit elite athletes, patients with muscle wasting, and elderly individuals. The research also highlights the need for regulatory bodies to distinguish between allowed and banned endurance enhancement practices.
Dr. Korsmeyer's work on BCL-2 identified its role in blocking cell death and established a mammalian apoptotic pathway. His research has significantly impacted cancer treatment and our understanding of biology and medicine.
Researchers tracked individual UVR dose patterns and sun exposure in a large cohort of Danish volunteers. They found that indoor workers were exposed to the least UVR, while gardeners received the most, and children's UVR exposure increased with age.
A team of biologists has discovered that the parasite relies on salvage enzymes to steal nutrients from its host to survive. This discovery provides new targets for drugs designed to treat victims of this parasitic disease, which causes chronic severe diarrhea and life-threatening complications in AIDS patients.
NSF plans to develop new programs to attract underrepresented groups to science and engineering careers, including African Americans, Alaska Natives, and people with disabilities. The agency aims to ensure that the US has a skilled, technically literate workforce capable of meeting the demand for a knowledge-based economy.
Researchers found that insulin-resistant young offspring of type 2 diabetics have increased muscle cell lipid content and reduced mitochondrial energy production. This study suggests a potential genetic cause of insulin resistance in young people with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at Stanford University found that microenvironmental VEGF concentration determines the threshold between normal and aberrant blood vessel growth. Long-term continuous delivery of VEGF maintains below this threshold promotes normal angiogenesis, guiding therapeutic strategies.
Stanford University researchers use video cameras to capture daily activities of healthy children in various environments. By analyzing these recordings, they create detailed models of how children ingest or become exposed to substances like lead and pesticides. This approach allows for the collection of tens of thousands of data point...
Researchers found that simulated games in virtual reality boosted children's belief in their abilities, regardless of their physical limitations. The therapy also gave them a chance to succeed in types of play they might have difficulty accessing otherwise.
A Yale University study found an increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among women who began using hair-coloring products before 1980, particularly those using darker permanent products for over 25 years. The study suggests that recent changes in hair dye formula contents may have reduced the risk for newer users.
Phenoxodiol, a chemo-sensitizer, has shown encouraging results in treating late-stage ovarian cancer. The study found 25% response rates and synergy with chemotherapy, suggesting potential benefits for patients.
Researchers discovered that the radish gene encodes a phospholipase-A2 enzyme, which plays a crucial role in anesthesia-resistant memory. The study found this enzyme is also involved in memory formation in chickens and rodents, suggesting a conserved mechanism across animal phyla.
The calcium-sensing receptor plays a crucial role in regulating mammary gland function, influencing milk production and composition. This study demonstrates that the receptor helps match milk production with available calcium levels in the mother's body.
Researchers discovered a protective protein, Wlds, that safeguards dopamine-axon connections in Parkinson's disease. The study revealed that while the protein protects axons, it does not prevent cell body damage, highlighting differences in degeneration processes.
Researchers investigate how harmless bacteria trigger immune response, offering new insights into oral health and potential treatments for infections. Beta-defensins, natural antibiotics produced by the body, may hold key to preventing infection, according to expert Dr. Beverly Dale.
Research at Joslin Diabetes Center reveals that insulin resistance in the brain may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease. Studies using genetically altered mice found a marked reduction in insulin signaling proteins, leading to excessive phosphorylation of tau protein, a hallmark of brain lesions in Alzheimer's.
A study found that skin cancer patients experience improved mental and emotional health after surgery, but general quality of life remains unchanged. Patients also showed increased use of sunscreen and protective behaviors like wearing hats.
Patients undergoing complex gastrointestinal surgery at teaching hospitals are less likely to die or experience complications, with death rates under 10% compared to non-teaching hospitals. Higher hospital volumes also lead to fewer prolonged hospital stays, suggesting fewer complications from surgery.
Evo-devo biologists led by Raff will use mechanistic tools to address major historical questions about multicellular animals, the Cambrian radiation, and animal larvae. The approach may reveal complex features in animal development evolved more quickly than expected.
A six-month aerobic exercise program improved cognitive performance on a decision-making task in older adults by reducing behavioral conflict. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure changes in brain activity in middle-frontal and superior parietal regions, which were associated with improved performance.
The new assay uses fluorochrome binding to detect malaria parasites in cell culture, providing a safer and more cost-effective alternative to current methods. This breakthrough has the potential to drastically reduce the price tag for drug discovery and promote research into tropical parasitic diseases.
Researchers discovered a link between serum amyloid alpha (SAA) and future cardiovascular events, with increased levels predicting a 3% higher risk of heart attack or stroke over three years. SAA appears to respond specifically to active heart disease, making it a potential more accurate predictor than C-reactive protein.
Researchers found that gradual exposure to frequency-shifted sounds improved subject's ability to comprehend speech in cochlear implants. Brain scans revealed systematic changes in cortical responses after several hours of exposure.
A study of women in Ontario who had double mastectomies between 1991 and 2000 found that two-thirds reported no change or improvement in their sexual functioning. The majority also showed no decline in self-image, with nearly half reporting an improved self-image after surgery.
Researchers at UW-Madison find that mutations allowing AIDS viruses to escape immune detection also hinder their ability to grow after transmission. The discovery may help design vaccines targeting the virus's most vulnerable spots.
A UH-led group of experts has developed new stent designs to minimize complications in the treatment of aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA) and coronary artery disease (CAD). These innovative stents feature genetically engineered cartilage cell-coated designs and novel mechanical properties that mimic human arteries.
A new book by John Hagan provides a detailed look at the inner workings of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The book sheds light on investigations not covered by the media and highlights the key role played by Louise Arbour in setting up the tribunal's effective operations.
Type I diabetics experience bone loss due to insufficient amylin production, which reduces osteoclast cell activity. Amylin injection or pathway activation may help correct this issue and alleviate osteoporosis.
A study found that women who used more antibiotics had an increased risk of breast cancer. The researchers also found that all classes of antibiotics were associated with an increased risk, and that long-term use of antibiotics was linked to death due to breast cancer.
A study found that mice with silenced small-conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels in the DCN had increased firing rates and ataxia. Despite this, Purkinje cell input into the DCN remained intact, indicating a direct relationship between SK channel regulation and proper muscle coordination.
A modified surgical procedure, EUPF surgery, has shown an 82% success rate in treating obstructive sleep apnea by reducing snoring and improving oxygen levels. Patients who underwent the procedure reported significant improvements in quality of life.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have found that statins interfere with a biochemical pathway crucial for germ cell migration in embryonic zebrafish. This understanding may lead to insights into disease processes, including cancer, as abnormal germ cell migration can contribute to deadly cancer spread.
The US Preventive Services Task Force has issued new recommendations for screening asymptomatic people for heart disease. However, evidence is insufficient to recommend EKG, treadmill tests, and CT scans for these groups. Additionally, hospice care may increase overall Medicare costs, but provide savings in certain cases with aggressiv...