Professor Ekström received the IADR Salivary Research Award for his pioneering work on non-conventional transmitters in salivary glandular function. His research has significantly advanced our understanding of autonomic neurotransmission mechanisms and their effects on salivary secretion.
Dr. Steven Levy has received the 2004 Dean Award for his distinguished contributions to epidemiology and public health research. The award recognizes his meritorious work in these fields, as judged by the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research.
A study by Andrea Ferro found that common household activities like dusting, vacuuming, and even walking around can resuspend house dust, increasing exposure to particulate pollution. This can aggravate health problems like asthma and decrease lung functioning.
The study found that the UNOS rule change reduced transplant gaming behavior, but the competitive nature of organ allocation still poses a risk. By dividing patients into three status levels and requiring recertification, the new rules have made it more difficult for hospitals to exaggerate their patients' conditions.
Two UCSD professors, Stefan Savage and Henrik Wann Jensen, join a prestigious group of Sloan Fellows with expertise in computer networking and graphics. The fellowships recognize outstanding research in various fields, including the neural control of movement, differential geometry, and level set methods.
A 12-week lifestyle intervention program helped 64% of patients achieve their blood pressure goal and 67% reach their diastolic blood pressure goal. The program also showed significant reductions in LDL cholesterol and fasting glucose levels.
A multi-center trial comparing three medications in patients with heart failure showed no significant differences between warfarin and antiplatelet therapies in terms of death, non-fatal heart attacks and strokes. However, hospitalizations for worsening heart failure were significantly less frequent in patients treated with warfarin.
A $3.3 million NIH grant-funded study will compare six-times-per-week overnight home hemodialysis to standard three-times-a-week hemodialysis at dialysis centers. The research aims to determine if the higher dose of dialysis improves patient outcomes, including hospitalization rates and quality of life.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that heart attack and angina patients experience difficulties sticking to their medication regimens six months after hospitalization. Forgetfulness, carelessness, and side effects are among the top reasons for non-adherence, affecting up to half of the patients studied.
According to Dr. McDougall, high-fat low-carbohydrate diets can increase the risk of heart disease, kidney failure, colon cancer, and more. In contrast, populations that consume high-carbohydrate foods tend to have a lower risk of these conditions.
Duke University Medical Center researchers discovered a link between the level of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and coronary artery disease severity. Patients with multi-vessel disease had significantly lower EPC counts, indicating that these cells play an important role in protecting blood vessels from damage.
Rimonabant demonstrated significant weight loss and improvement in metabolic profile in patients with obesity and untreated dyslipidemia. The drug also improved cardiovascular risk factors, including HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, by reducing inflammation and increasing adiponectin levels.
A DNA vaccine has been shown to protect against anthrax, with the protective antigen (PA)-based vaccine proving more effective than the lethal factor (LF)-based vaccine. The study found that immunization with PA induces antibodies capable of neutralizing toxin and conferring protection.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will become a regional hub for research on health workforce and healthcare access. The new center aims to provide timely information to policymakers about critical health workforce issues, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Researchers have identified a critical gene called Lgl1, which plays a vital role in shaping cell behavior during embryonic brain development. The study found that mice lacking this gene exhibit dramatic abnormalities and resemble human patients with medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumor.
Rimonabant successfully treated tobacco dependence and reduced post-cessation weight gain in a double-blind trial. Patients who received the 20mg dose had higher abstinence rates and less weight gain compared to those on placebo.
Cornell University and Caltech researchers will develop the world's most sensitive sub-millimeter telescope in the Atacama Desert, capable of probing star formation during galaxy formation. The telescope's high sensitivity will enable studies of large-scale universe structure and hidden planets in circumstellar disks.
A study published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics reveals how cannabinoids produce hypothermia, a decrease in body temperature. The research suggests that nitric oxide plays a role in regulating cannabinoid-induced hypothermia.
Researchers at OHSU will explore the use of evolutionary computing to analyze images and classify abnormalities in the prostate. The goal is to create a more accurate and less invasive method for detecting prostate cancer.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic developed a pretreatment test to identify patients at high risk for urinary tract difficulties after brachytherapy. The study found that 37% of high-risk patients developed some urinary difficulties, while 85% of low-risk patients did not experience problems.
Sir John Skehel's 30-year research on the influenza virus has led to a deeper understanding of how it infects cells and evolves to evade the immune system. His discovery has helped develop antiviral drugs targeting viral surface proteins, saving millions from global flu outbreaks.
Emory researchers discovered significant racial and gender disparities in heart attack treatment, with African-American women receiving the least aggressive care. The study analyzed records of over 672,000 white and black patients younger than 75 and found no trend towards improvement in recent years.
Crestor effectively tackles elevated non-HDL cholesterol levels, a key risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, in patients with metabolic syndrome. The medication demonstrates significant results in reducing the incidence of these cardiovascular diseases.
A new study reveals that rural South Africa is facing a significant stroke crisis, with rates of disability comparable to those in developed countries. The prevalence of disabled stroke survivors has important implications for healthcare systems, highlighting the need for adapted care strategies and early treatment.
A new US policy has reduced gaming in heart transplant waiting lists, but the competition for scarce organs still exists. The researchers found that before the rule change, heart transplant centers in competitive areas were more likely to list patients in the sickest category.
A recent study found that over half of patients with heart failure could benefit from implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), but Medicare's current guidelines exclude them. ICDs can prevent sudden cardiac death by monitoring heart rhythm and shocking the heart back into a normal pace.
A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that poor diet and physical inactivity are projected to overtake tobacco as the leading cause of death in the US. The study analyzed data from 2000 mortality reports and identified that approximately 400,000 deaths were attributed to poor diet and physical inactivity.
The STARR program improves patient knowledge of exercise and diet goals by 56.7%, while also increasing exercise and diet compliance to 67%. The program shows positive trends in weight loss, stress, blood pressure, diabetes control, and lipid goals.
A study by NASA and NOAA researchers reveals new climate patterns in the North Pacific Ocean, which differ from the traditional Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) pattern. The findings suggest that a single index like PDO is incomplete for characterizing the state of the North Pacific climate system.
A study by USGS researchers associates drought patterns in the US with multi-decade variations in North Pacific and North Atlantic sea surface temperatures. The research found that positive AMO (warm North Atlantic) and negative PDO (cool North Pacific) are linked to large-scale droughts, affecting regional weather patterns.
A new clip device has shown promising results in repairing faulty heart valves through a less invasive cath lab procedure. The device, developed by Evalve Inc., uses the edge-to-edge technique to repair or replace the mitral valve without open-heart surgery.
Researchers at McGill University have identified 209 proteins involved in the cellular uptake process, shedding light on protein interactions and disease mechanisms. The study provides a comprehensive molecular inventory of clathrin-coated vesicles, with broad implications for various fields in biology and medicine.
A new analysis found that Atacand(R) improved NYHA functional class in a broad spectrum of CHF patients, with 35.4% showing improvement and 9% worsening. The medication also reduced the development of atrial fibrillation and Type II diabetes mellitus in these patients.
Researchers found that 36% of infants were hospitalized, while 64% received treatment outside the hospital. Despite guideline non-adherence, infant mortality rates remained low.
A study of over 15,000 insured patients found that less than half were taking beta blockers regularly after a heart attack. The researchers highlight the importance of long-term adherence to the drug for its benefits.
A large Finnish study found that moderate to high coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Drinking 3-4 cups of coffee per day was linked to a 29% reduced risk for women and a 27% lower risk for men.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has awarded scholarships to 91 minority and underrepresented scientists participating in its Annual Meeting. The AACR offers several award programs, including the Minority Scholar Awards, which support early-career scientists from traditionally underrepresented groups.
A recent UCSF study found that pediatricians' clinical judgment may be more effective than strict adherence to guidelines in managing febrile illnesses in infants. The study analyzed data from 3,066 infants and found that experienced clinicians using clinical judgment may reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and improve treatment outcomes.
Lehigh engineering professor Shalinee Kishore aims to bring modern telecommunications to rural Pennsylvania through a five-year grant. She plans to develop and implement a plan to improve the county's wireless communications infrastructure, enabling residents to access high-speed Internet and lower-speed voice services.
Researchers found a speed limit to neural network synchronization, set by network connectivity. The analysis revealed that even strong interactions cannot achieve faster synchronization than an upper limit. This could severely limit the speed of information processing in the brain.
A team at Washington University in St. Louis has created a three-minute video capturing the unique interaction between water and three different oils when mixed using a magnetic stir bar. The resulting vortices, or funnels, display distinct characteristics due to their varying viscosities, showcasing the fluid dynamics phenomenon.
A recent study found that sumatriptan nasal spray provides good to excellent headache relief in over three-quarters of children with chronic migraines. The off-label use of the medication has been shown to be effective and safe for treating this condition, especially when other treatments have failed.
The study found that astronauts lost bone at a rate of 0.8-0.9 percent per month, with trabecular bone loss being more significant than cortical bone loss. The researchers used three-dimensional x-ray computed tomography to quantify bone loss in the hip and estimate changes in hip bone strength.
A study from the University of Washington found that nationally certified teachers outperform non-certified teachers in math and reading tests, with a 7% advantage. This benefit is especially pronounced for younger and lower-income students, who see gains of up to 12% in reading scores.
A recent study published by the NIH found that implantable defibrillators significantly reduce deaths in patients with moderate to severe heart failure. The study, which included over 2,500 participants, showed that implanted defibrillator therapy reduced deaths by 22%, while amiodarone therapy did not have a significant impact.
Researchers found an irregularly shaped cluster of nerve cells in the hypothalamus of the sheep brain associated with female mate preference. The study provides clues to the processes involved in development and regulation of heterosexual and homosexual behavior.
Researchers infused decorin into spinal cord injury sites in rats, reducing inflammation and scar formation by 80-95%. This allowed nerve fibers to regrow across the injury site within four days.
The PAVE study found that biventricular pacing improved cardiac function and functional capacity in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation undergoing ablate and pace therapy. In contrast, the DINAMIT study showed no overall mortality benefit of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy in patients following a recent acute...
Researchers found evidence of human herpesvirus 6 in tissues of 25 out of 35 children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare condition affecting bones and multiple organ systems. The study suggests the virus interacts with an underlying predisposition to the disease, potentially leading to new treatments and diagnostic tests.
Researchers have developed a novel technique that allows them to visualize three genes at once in embryos, body tissues, or even single cells. This improved FISH method combines existing technologies to illuminate gene activity, enabling scientists to study embryonic development and birth defects in greater detail.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have successfully reprogrammed human fat cells to become adult stem cells capable of forming bone, cartilage, and other cell types, providing a promising new approach for treating diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Researchers investigated using lytic bacteriophage to reduce spore contamination in soil, finding a significant reduction with minimal toxicity. The approach is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional decontamination methods.
A study by Queen's University researchers found that taste and odour-causing algae have increased in 90% of lakes in the Muskoka-Haliburton region since the early 1800s. The increase is attributed to climate change and acidic deposition, with significant rises over the past two decades.
The device captures aerosol particles with an electrical field, charging and trapping them to destroy bioagents. Smart nanoparticles catalyze oxidation to completely deactivate organisms.
A twin study found a possible connection between depression and heart disease, with decreased heart rate variability (HRV) being a key factor. The study suggests that treating clinical depression, including minor forms, may help reduce the risk of heart disease by normalizing HRV.
Researchers found that patients who lost consciousness for at least 12 hours were less likely to develop posttraumatic stress disorder compared to those who remained conscious. The study, which examined 46 inpatients with traumatic brain injuries, suggests that losing consciousness may be a protective factor against developing PTSD.
Researchers analyzed over 13,000 live term births to assess the effect of medical abortion on subsequent pregnancy's birth weight. The study found that women who had undergone a medically induced abortion had lower rates of Low Birth Weight compared to those with no abortion history.
The SCD-HeFT trial showed that implantable cardiac defibrillators can reduce total mortality in patients with moderate to severe congestive heart failure. Patients who received an ICD had a three-year mortality rate of 17.1%, compared to 22.3% for those receiving placebo and 24% for those receiving amiodarone.
During the winter holiday period, heart attack patients admitted to U.S. hospitals have higher mortality rates and are less likely to receive effective treatments such as aspirin and beta blockers. The researchers believe that the U.S. healthcare system is not adequately staffed during the holidays, leading to reduced treatment options.
A large study found that parents who lost a child are 50% more likely to develop multiple sclerosis than those who did not lose a child. The study suggests that psychological stress may play a role in the development of MS.