This year's flu season is severe due to a mutated virus that has changed slightly since last year's vaccine was designed. Young children are at higher risk of getting seriously ill as they haven't encountered the virus before and lack immunity. Experts recommend vaccinating all children aged 6 months to 23 months to prevent complications.
Two LSU professors are working to develop survivable sensor networks that can collect valuable data during disasters, which could be used in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and national security projects. The researchers also aim to ensure secure data transmission through methods like anonymous email tracking.
A research team led by OHSU scientists is studying metal homeostasis and its disruption in human cells, focusing on copper and iron concentrations. The project aims to understand the regulation of metals in cells and their impact on disease progression.
A mathematical model helps determine necessary mosquito control levels to prevent West Nile virus outbreaks, reducing economic and environmental damage. The model takes into account regional factors such as mosquito life span and crow biology.
Researchers developed a new ultrasound probe at Mayo Clinic that allows for better visualization of PFO defects, enabling more effective closure with catheter techniques. The results show a 93% success rate in closing the defect without complications.
A new interdisciplinary brain research project has been launched at the University of Illinois, using a $1.5 million Keck Foundation grant to develop tools for understanding and correcting problems in brain circuitry. The goal is to identify natural chemical signatures to restore proper wiring and functioning in malfunctioning brains.
A Stanford team has developed a simplified method for generating siRNA molecules to disable genes, overcoming the technique's limitations in expense and labor. The new protocol allows researchers to create libraries of siRNA molecules for all known genes, enabling the identification of genes that play critical roles in stem cell function.
The chemical industry is expected to experience increased production and demand, leading to historic levels of growth in the US, Canada, and Asia-Pacific. In contrast, European chemical industries are forecasted to exhibit modest growth due to economic constraints.
A randomized, double-blind study found that dietary supplements containing ephedra and caffeine increased the QTc interval duration and systolic blood pressure in healthy volunteers. The authors recommend patients avoid these supplements until more information is known about their safety.
A study published in PLOS Biology discovered a common genetic signature linked to the progression of various cancers, including prostate and liver cell carcinomas. Patients with tumors carrying this signature had an increased risk of metastasis and death compared to those without it.
A study led by Bruce Lahn found that the Abnormal Spindle-Like Microcephaly Associated (ASPM) gene shows strong evidence of accelerated evolutionary changes in the primate lineage leading to humans. These changes are most prominent after humans parted ways from chimpanzees, suggesting a possible key role for ASPM in human brain evolution.
A University of Illinois study highlights the growing tension between farmers and newcomers to rural areas like Elburn, Kane County. Farmers see farmland as a means of livelihood and family heritage, while newcomers view it as public amenity. This clash is leading to erosion of community trust and decline in farming practices.
A study of Medicare-eligible patients with lung, breast, colorectal, and gastrointestinal tumors found a rise in chemotherapy use and emergency room admissions near death. However, an increase in hospice care usage suggests that improved palliative services may reduce aggressive end-of-life treatment.
Research suggests that direct-quality indicators based on patient mortality are more effective in selecting high-performing hospitals for VLBW infants. The study found that hospitals with lower past mortality rates had significantly better outcomes, implying that volume-based standards may not accurately predict quality.
A joint research effort discovered Mars-like soils in Chile's Atacama Desert, which are depleted in organic materials and would have been missed by NASA's Viking missions. The team found that the conditions in this environment represent a limit for microbial life on Earth.
Native C4 plants faced disastrous consequences during prolonged severe droughts in the middle Holocene, contrary to expectations. Weedy C3 plants adapted well due to their ability to exploit limited water resources, highlighting a key difference between C3 and C4 plant responses.
Researchers successfully remyelinated nearly entire mouse brains with human stem cells, producing thousands of times more myelin than previous experiments. This breakthrough offers potential treatment for diseases like Canavan disease and Tay-Sachs disease.
Researchers have identified wound-healing genes that are active in prostate and liver cancers, which are more aggressive and likely to spread. This discovery could lead to personalized treatment options by matching patients with specific drugs targeting these abnormal proteins.
A recent study found that hospital procedural volume is only modestly associated with risk-adjusted CABG mortality rates, suggesting that other measures are needed to assess quality. Low-volume hospitals often achieve excellent outcomes despite operating on higher-risk patients.
The Environmental Polymorphism Registry aims to investigate the interaction between genes and environment. Researchers will analyze DNA samples from 20,000 participants to identify genetic variants associated with environmental exposure.
The Stanford University Program on Energy and Sustainable Development has received a grant from BP to accelerate research on market-based policies addressing global warming. The partnership aims to complement technical research with similar work on the legal, political, and institutional dimensions of energy value derivation.
The system uses computer models to predict impacts of cities on regional and global land and atmospheric processes. By incorporating local energy and water cycles, predictions can be applied to climate and weather forecasting, agricultural management, and hazard mitigation.
A study published in Archives of Surgery examined 564,267 outpatient surgical procedures and found that risk factors include advanced age, prior hospitalization, and invasive surgeries. The results highlight the importance of proper assessment and resource availability for high-risk patients undergoing outpatient surgery.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have made a groundbreaking discovery that prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) protects brain cells from damage caused by stroke. The finding provides a new strategy for tackling and understanding the condition, which affects 4 million Americans annually.
A study found that medical students lack sufficient training in critical skills like communication and interviewing, while another study showed course directors vary in teaching chronic care preparedness. To address these gaps, a new course at Johns Hopkins aims to improve patient-physician communication.
A study found that women taking high doses of vitamin D supplements were 40% less likely to develop multiple sclerosis. Vitamin D levels in the blood prior to onset of MS should be measured in future studies.
Scientists have discovered that rapidly evolving genes can reveal more historical signals than slowly evolving genes, providing a new perspective on plant classification. This approach has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of plant evolution, ecology, genetics, and biodiversity.
Purdue University scientists have discovered that mussels use iron to create their natural adhesive, which could have applications in medicine and industry. The discovery, led by Jonathan Wilker, has the potential to develop new surgical adhesives, rustproof coatings and antifouling paints.
A recent study found that even moderate amounts of exercise can help prevent weight gain in overweight individuals. The research, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, suggests that more intense physical activity is necessary for weight maintenance and that a modest amount of exercise can reverse positive caloric imbalances.
A study of 18,980 adults found that morning headaches were associated with depression, anxiety disorders, and other conditions, including sleep-related breathing disorders and musculoskeletal diseases.
A study published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine found that PET scans are more effective than CT scans in early assessment of patients' responses to imatinib mesylate therapy. The researchers concluded that 18F-FDG PET is an excellent prognostic tool for predicting treatment response in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
A study by Cornell University found that farm-raised salmon in Europe contained higher levels of organic contaminants than those from North America and South America. The analysis revealed 13 out of 14 organochlorine contaminants were present in farmed salmon, highlighting the need for safer farming practices.
Researchers have identified a complex mechanism of translational repression in Drosophila oogenesis, involving proteins Cup, Bruno, and eIF4E. This study reveals how these proteins work together to repress the translation of critical mRNAs, ensuring precise localization and function in germline cells.
A significant demographic shift has occurred in the US, delaying the transition to adulthood, as youth are combining roles, exploring options, and gaining education to prepare for a demanding labor force. Marriage and family have not been abandoned, but rather postponed until later ages.
A randomized controlled trial suggests that modest exercise, such as 30 minutes of daily walking, can not only prevent weight gain but also lead to additional loss of weight and fat. The study found a dose-response effect between the amount of exercise and decreases in measurements of central obesity and total body fat mass.
A study by NASA researchers found that tropical cyclones with 'hot towers' in their eyewall are twice as likely to intensify within six hours. The researchers used TRMM satellite data to compile global statistics on hot tower occurrence and define a nine-mile high threshold for classification.
Recent studies show that overweight Hispanic youth are at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance directly contributes to the development of metabolic syndrome, particularly in those with a family history of diabetes.
A Phase II trial of Herceptin combined with chemotherapy found no significant difference in survival times between the treatment and control arms. However, a small subgroup of patients with extremely high levels of HER2 over-expression showed improved response rates and longer disease progression-free periods.
Researchers at Purdue University have identified the secret to nature's super glue, a strong adhesive mesh produced by bivalves using metal ions. The discovery has the potential to develop safer alternatives for surgical and household glues, as well as combat invasive species like the zebra mussel.
A study of Latino children found that nearly three in ten have impaired glucose tolerance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes, while obesity rates are twice those of non-Latino peers. Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome increase the risk of chronic diseases.
Researchers found that mitochondrial DNA mutations enabled early humans to adapt to colder climates, reducing the risk of diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study suggests a link between genetic history and current disease predispositions.
A study of 70 patients found that informed consent before cataract surgery had no significant impact on their decisions. Cognitive dissonance also played a role in shaping their choices. The results suggest that ophthalmologists should consider the limited influence of informed consent in surgical decision-making.
Researchers identified 31 novel polypeptide families that inhibit Staphylococcus aureus growth when expressed in bacteria. They used phage genomics to screen for small molecule inhibitors and found several compounds that inhibited bacterial growth and DNA synthesis.
A meta-analysis of 127 studies found that a single cognitive ability test, the Miller Analogies Test, can predict performance in both academic and work environments. The researchers found strong validity for the test across various measures of graduate student performance, job performance, potential, and creativity.
Researchers have sequenced a native centromere in rice, revealing active genes that defy the notion of non-coding DNA. The discovery provides insights into chromosome evolution and has significant implications for plant engineering.
A study of children in Peru found that inadequate water and sanitation led to significant growth stunting, with children having poor conditions being 1 cm shorter. The research highlights the importance of adequate sewage disposal and access to safe water for reducing childhood malnutrition and diarrhea.
Tumors use Stat3 signaling to secrete factors that inhibit the immune system, keeping dendritic cells from maturing. This activation blocks expression of inflammatory mediators required to trigger the immune response. New treatments aimed at flushing cancer cells into the open may help the body's armies against disease destroy them.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a four-channel microphysiometer to monitor cell metabolism in near real time. The device can chart variations in oxygen, glucose, and lactic acid levels, providing crucial clues about the impact of unknown biological agents on cells.
Researchers found a periodic increase in slip rate every three years along the northern half of the central San Andreas Fault, indicating a higher probability of moderate to large quakes. This cycle is characterized by an upswing of microquakes, followed by moderate to large earthquakes six to seven times more likely to occur.
A substantial majority of people who purchased Prilosec OTC complied very well with the label instructions. The study found that frequent heartburn sufferers increased consultation with their physicians after using the medication.
A study published in Science has identified the Alox15 gene as a potential human therapeutic target for osteoporosis risk. The gene's over-activity leads to reduced bone density and increased risk of osteoporosis, but inhibitors of the gene's enzyme can improve bone mass and strength.
Researchers at Indiana University found that farmed Atlantic salmon contain significantly higher levels of toxins, including PCBs and dioxins, than wild Pacific salmon. These toxins are linked to human health concerns and may pose a risk to people who eat salmon regularly.
A study found that women who experienced miscarriage had lower concentrations of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 compared to those who delivered normally. Low MIC1 levels often preceded miscarriage, suggesting its potential as a predictor and therapeutic target for pregnancy loss prevention.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a critical regulatory role of protein CTCF in controlling gene imprinting in eggs. The study found that lower levels of CTCF resulted in higher DNA methylation and reduced fertility in female mice.
The new g-2 measurement has deviated significantly from the standard model prediction, with a difference of 2.8 standard deviations. This discrepancy has sparked renewed interest in the possibility of new physics beyond the Standard Model, particularly supersymmetry.
A study by Emory University researchers found that subordinate cichlid fish had larger gall bladders with dark bile, leading to slower growth and potentially linking social stress to digestive problems. The discovery could hold clues for understanding human gallstones.
Researchers found that a sugar called ribose can be formed from interstellar dust clouds using borate minerals like colemanite. This discovery sheds light on the 3-billion-year-old mystery of how life on Earth began and could have implications for disease diagnostics and therapy.
Researchers found that diesel exhaust particles trigger more severe allergic responses in individuals with certain genetic variations, particularly the GSTM1 and GSTP1 genes. This study suggests a new route of intervention for pollution-related lung health problems.
Scientists have identified a biological basis for suppressing unwanted memories, contradicting human intuition that people ruminate on unpleasant thoughts. The study found that controlling memory is associated with increased activation of the frontal cortex and reduced activation of the hippocampus.
A WHO expert consultation suggests that traditional BMI cut-off points may not be suitable for Asian populations, who experience a higher risk of adverse health outcomes at lower BMI values. The consultation proposes intermediate public-health action points to address this disparity.