Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have made significant progress in developing a new vaccine against malignant melanoma, a potentially deadly skin cancer. The vaccine showed promise in a phase I-II study, with 8 of 10 patients developing positive responses to their own tumor cells that were chemically modified.
BAY 43-9006 demonstrates durable disease stabilization or tumor shrinkage in 89 participants with renal cell carcinoma. The study also shows an estimated median time to tumor progression of 48 weeks, with 88% of patients remaining progression-free at six months.
The UT Southwestern Medical Center team developed a blood test that can detect amplification of the HER-2 gene in circulating cells associated with breast cancer. This detection could enable personalized treatment decisions for patients with HER-2 amplified tumors.
Research by P.J. Devereaux et al found higher mortality rates and higher costs associated with private for-profit hospitals compared to not-for-profit hospitals. This supports a policy shift towards not-for-profit healthcare delivery, as suggested by S. Woolhandler and D.U. Himmelstein.
The Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards aim to address the shortcomings of existing land-based climate strategies by incorporating environmental and social issues. The standards evaluate projects that mitigate or adapt to climate change while conserving biodiversity and alleviating poverty.
A study comparing violent behaviors among adolescents in five countries found that fighting, bullying, and weapon carrying were prevalent across nations. The researchers observed significant correlations between violence-related behaviors and irritability, bad temperament, and bullying.
The INITIATE study found that NovoLog Mix 70/30 achieved better A1C levels and improved post-mealtime glucose control than insulin glargine. This suggests a physiological approach to controlling insulin needs, which may encourage clinicians to adopt this treatment option.
A study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that 36 out of 181 patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia had at least one first-degree relative with the disease. The study also found no discernible differences in age of onset, blood counts, or genetic analysis between family and non-family forms of the disease.
Research by Brigid Hogan and Tadashi Okubo found that Wnt signaling can induce a dramatic shift in lung progenitor cells' lineage commitment, generating intestinal cell types. This discovery sheds light on conditions such as Barrett's esophagus and holds potential for programming adult stem cells.
The UCLA-Maryland Center for Multiscale Plasma Dynamics will investigate three plasma mysteries: sawteeth, tearing instabilities, and transport barriers. The research aims to improve the performance of the international thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER) and develop a safe, nearly limitless energy source.
A new study shows that estrogen skin patches can counteract high cholesterol associated with hormone therapy for prostate cancer. The patches decreased overall cholesterol levels by 10 percent and increased good cholesterol (HDL), while also improving lipid profiles.
Scientists discovered that deleting three circadian genes in mice results in severe epilepsy and accelerated aging. The mice lacking all three genes are prone to epileptic seizures and display early mortality, with a significant increase in deaths on Mondays and Thursdays due to sound-induced attacks.
Researchers discovered that tactile input affects how we perceive rotating objects, suggesting a link between touch and object motion perception. Brain activity studies revealed increased activity in regions processing visual motion when subjects experienced both touch and sight simultaneously.
A prospective study of 89 caregivers found that as breast cancer patients progressed to the last stages of their illness, caregivers experienced increased depression and burden. The authors emphasize the need to address family caregiver needs during patient care, given hospital bed shortages for palliative and hospice care.
The study shows that quality of childhood healthcare is good, but parents express a need for key child development issues. Parent satisfaction ratings are strongly related to the care received, increasing with more time, in-depth discussions, and family-centered care.
Recent studies on marijuana use among multiple sclerosis and epilepsy patients have yielded mixed results, highlighting the need for further research to determine its efficacy. Patients reported using marijuana therapeutically to manage pain, spasms, mood, sleep, and stress, but also experienced side effects and variable doses.
Researchers have identified proteins that determine which mice succumb to mousepox and which do not. Strains resistant to infection produce type-1 cytokines, while susceptible ones produce type-2 cytokine IL-4. The discovery could enable better protection for humans against smallpox.
A recent study by the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that breast cancer patients who made their own treatment decisions were more likely to choose mastectomies over breast-conserving surgeries. The study also revealed that fewer than a third of women with mastectomies received reconstructive surgery, and those...
Researchers observe breeding patterns of two closely related fruitfly populations and find genetic changes that suggest they are on the verge of diverging into separate species. The study identifies polymorphism causing male sterility, which is present in every population but at higher frequencies in one geographic region.
A study of 190 children aged 8-14 found that female preteens were more likely to engage in retaliation for violence, leading to increased injuries from blunt objects. The researchers suggest that parents and caregivers can benefit from learning non-violent response techniques to prevent future incidents.
A new study published at ASCO finds that MRI is more effective than mammography in detecting the number and size of breast cancer tumors. The research involved over 1000 women across 17 sites, revealing that MRI detected additional cancerous lesions in 56 women, while mammograms only identified 17.
A global study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that docetaxel therapy significantly improves survival time for hormone-resistant prostate cancer patients. Patients treated with tri-weekly docetaxel survived 2.4 months longer than those receiving the standard chemotherapy drug, mitoxantrone.
Researchers from Duke University Medical Center used a common worm as a model to identify specific genes within Salmonella that enable the bacteria to infect host cells. The study found four genes required for maximum potency in infecting the worm, which are also present in human mammals.
A study of 307 healthy adolescents found that 24.1% were vitamin D deficient, with African Americans and winter seasons having the highest prevalence. Season, ethnicity, diet, BMI, and physical activity were also significant predictors of vitamin D insufficiency.
A study of 6,044 women aged 65 and older found that those taking epilepsy drugs lost bone mass at nearly twice the rate of non-users. This increases the risk of hip fractures by 29% over five years. Researchers recommend screening for osteoporosis and counseling on calcium and vitamin D supplements.
A Phase III clinical trial of Tarceva and chemotherapy showed no overall benefit in survival or response, but a subgroup analysis found young non-smokers treated with Tarceva survived longer than those using chemotherapy. The study suggests that this class of drug may not function well when combined with chemotherapy.
Two studies reveal new insights into climate change: a microplate in the Mediterranean Sea is found to be independent of larger tectonic plates, while seasonal changes in photosynthesis can affect global atmospheric simulations. Another study warns that oxygen isotope analyses may not accurately portray ancient climates due to changing...
Researchers identified sex-specific differences in gene expression in various tissues, including liver, kidney, and reproductive organs. These differences were involved in drug and steroid metabolism, as well as regulation of fluid balance, with implications for understanding how males and females respond differently to drug treatments.
An Australian study investigated the connection between autism and pregnancy-related complications, finding increased risk for older parents, firstborn children, and certain medical interventions. The research suggests that early nongenetic influences may play a role in some cases of autism development.
Professor Altman's group will investigate how directly inhibiting protein subunits in human nuclear RNase P affects gene expression. The research aims to understand the basis of this observation, which has important implications for basic biological functions and disease treatments.
Research found that live births and breastfeeding lower breast cancer risk in both white and African American women, with greater reductions among whites. The study also revealed younger African American women have fewer pregnancies and breastfed less often, which could lead to a rapid increase in breast cancer rates.
Researchers found that clinicians missed about half of symptoms reported by patients, and patients also missed about half of the symptoms recorded by physicians. The study suggests that new patient reporting tools should be developed for use in chemotherapy clinical trials to improve accuracy.
A retrospective study of 110 elderly leukemia patients found similar complete remission and two-year survival rates as younger patients when treated with anthracyclin-based induction chemotherapy. The study's findings suggest that age is not a predictor of survival, but rather the treatment protocol received.
Researchers found that emergency department caregivers who received comprehensive home safety education and devices showed significant improvements in preventing poisoning and burns. The study suggests the ED as an ideal setting for teaching home injury prevention.
Researchers discovered a crucial protein, S14, that regulates ribosome assembly in yeast. The findings offer a potential target for designing drugs to interfere with the process.
Fetal imaging technologies like DTI and fMRI enable early diagnosis and treatment of brain abnormalities, improving outcomes for patients with epilepsy, autism, and Alzheimer's. Researchers presented advancements in detecting seizure origins and understanding autistic brain function through innovative imaging techniques.
A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that school-based interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-A) is an effective treatment for depressed adolescents. The therapy helped reduce depressive symptoms and improve overall functioning, particularly among females and Hispanic participants.
A study of 2,125 adults found that those with the highest blood concentrations of lead or cadmium were almost three times more likely to develop PAD. The highest levels of the two metals were well within what is currently considered safe levels.
Prof. Ben Feringa, Prof. Rien van Ijzendoorn, Prof. Michiel van der Klis and Prof. Jaap Sinninghe Damsté were awarded the prestigious NWO Spinoza prize for their innovative research in chemistry, education and astronomy. The winners made significant contributions to their respective fields, including the discovery of an X-ray star and ...
A new clinical trial data shows Saforis reduces incidence of moderate to severe oral mucositis by 22% and demonstrates excellent safety profile. Saforis has been evaluated in pediatric and adult patients with various cancer types, showing promise for treatment of this debilitating side effect.
Researchers have made significant progress in developing a therapeutic vaccine for pancreatic cancer, which appears safe and stimulates immune activity. In a recent study, 12 patients with pancreatic cancer received the vaccine, resulting in no reported toxicity and positive changes in antibodies against the tumor.
The combination of BAY 43-9006 and standard chemotherapy showed durable partial responses in 40% of patients with advanced metastatic melanoma. The study demonstrated anti-tumor activity that was not solely dependent on a BRAF gene mutation, offering new hope for treatment options.
Recent research from MIT found that brain activity does not increase when switching between tasks quickly, indicating that there are no complicated mechanisms for multitasking. Instead, individuals must complete one task before moving on to the next, a finding with implications for our understanding of cognitive processes.
A new low-carb potato variety developed by HZPC will be available to consumers in January 2025. The potato has 30 percent fewer carbohydrates compared to a standard Russet baking potato, and is also non-genetically engineered.
Researchers found that estrogen combined with MPA caused increased aggression and anxiety, reduced sexual activity, and altered brain chemistry. The study provides insight into the behavioral effects of HRT and its potential links to depression, anxiety disorders, and premenstrual mood changes.
Researchers found Veglin to be safe and effective in lowering blood levels of key enzymes, showing promise in blocking tumor growth and metastasis. The phase I trial has shown encouraging results in patients with diverse disease types, paving the way for future phase II clinical trials.
Researchers at UIC are testing pioglitazone, a diabetes drug, to treat multiple sclerosis. The study found that the drug reduces inflammation of nervous tissue and prevents aberrant immune responses, potentially offering new hope for treating MS.
The study confirmed that islet transplantation works for patients with serious and unstable type 1 diabetes, allowing them to be free from daily insulin injections for up to one year. Few treatment-related complications were noted, with minor side effects such as mouth ulcers and diarrhea.
Lapatinib, a new breast cancer drug, has shown promising results in shrinking tumors or slowing growth in 46% of patients. The medication targets both Her-2 and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGFR) receptors, which blocks cell signaling and inhibits tumor growth
A study of 3,140 patients found pioglitazone to lower blood pressure in both Stage I and Stage II hypertension cases. This effect could reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.
A study of 192 patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) found that Glivec(R) interruption was associated with a high risk of re-progression. In contrast, continuous treatment showed no signs of re-progression within a year. Continuous Glivec(R) treatment is recommended for patients with advanced GIST.
The CARDS trial found that a daily 10mg dose of atorvastatin reduced the risk of serious heart problems by 36% and strokes by 48%. The benefits were observed even in patients with already low LDL-cholesterol levels. This study has significant implications for the cardiovascular health of people with Type 2 diabetes.
A new study finds that estrogen therapy significantly improves verbal memory performance in men with advanced prostate cancer, while hormone deprivation impairs it. Estrogen also reduces depression and confusion in these patients.
ACTOS therapy has favorable effects on dyslipidemia, including reductions in triglycerides and increases in HDL cholesterol. Additionally, ACTOS was found to have beneficial effects on non-HDL cholesterol and A1C levels.
A new study suggests that men who take statins, common cholesterol-lowering drugs, have a significantly reduced risk of prostate cancer. Statin use was associated with a 58% lower risk of prostate cancer and a 55% lower risk of elevated PSA levels.
In a Phase III trial, over 65% of early-stage HER-2 positive breast cancer patients achieved a complete response rate when treated with Herceptin and chemotherapy. The results were so striking that the trial was halted early after accruing 42 patients.
Studies presented at the American Diabetes Association annual meeting showed ACTOS to be effective in reducing fasting insulin levels and improving A1C levels, with significant benefits seen when used alone or in combination with other oral antidiabetic medications.
A new biologic drug, Lipo-ATRA, offers long-term disease-free survival to patients with rare acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) without traditional chemotherapy. In a small trial, approximately one-third of patients remained in remission for over five years after treatment.
The CAMPTOSAR plus cisplatin regimen demonstrated improved one-year survival rates (59.2%) and response rates (31%) compared to current standard treatments. Patient toxicities were also significantly reduced, with fewer grade 3-4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia cases.
A landmark UK study sponsored by Diabetes UK, Department of Health, and Pfizer UK showed that 10mg atorvastatin reduced cardiovascular events by 37% in patients with diabetes without existing CVD. Stroke was substantially reduced by 48% in these patients.