Long-term Tai Chi practice promotes balance control, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness, while reducing the risk of falls in elders. Benefits have also been reported for cardiovascular and respiratory function, as well as pain, stress, and anxiety.
The Maize Genomics Consortium developed a cost-effective approach to sequence the maize genome, reducing its effective size by six-fold. The method uses methyl-filtration and high-Cot selection, targeting overlapping fractions of the genome enriched for genes.
Messenger RNA (mRNA) stability plays a crucial role in determining disease severity in nervous system mutations, according to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine. Aberrant mRNA forms are usually eliminated through nonsense-mediated decay, but some escape and lead to defective protein production.
A nine-year study estimates that alcohol-related emergency department visits have exceeded 68.6 million between 1992 and 2000, accounting for 7.9% of total ED visits. The study also reveals a rising trend in ED visits for males and blacks with certain diagnoses.
Researchers identified a critical protein, NADPH oxidase 3 (Nox3), essential for otoconia development and balance. The discovery may aid in regenerating otoconia and treating balance-related disorders.
A breakthrough in fertility preservation allows women to store their ovarian tissue before cancer treatment, which can be transplanted years later to restore reproductive function. The technique shows promise but also raises concerns about safety and effectiveness, prompting calls for further research.
Researchers at Duke University found that the brain can switch to automatic mode when learning new skills, reducing cognitive effort. By analyzing fMRI data, they discovered that the cortex rapidly recovers prior responses, allowing for efficient decision-making and reduced neural activity.
A study analyzing SPORTIF III and V trials found that ximelagatran is at least as effective as warfarin in preventing strokes and systemic embolic events in men and women with atrial fibrillation. The analysis also showed lower bleeding rates for ximelagatran, particularly among women.
Researchers developed a topical vaccine that induces high levels of anti-ricin immune responses in mice, with 70% survival rate upon lethal challenge. The vaccine candidate offers a viable alternative delivery route for ricin poisoning treatment.
Researchers develop a novel treatment to stimulate natural cartilage tissue growth in knee joint defects, providing a potential solution for osteoarthritis treatment. The hyaluronan-based polymer creates a protective cap and enables new cartilage tissue to grow, filling the defect and promoting healing.
A study by Yale University found that diets rich in fat and animal protein may increase the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The research, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, also discovered a reduced risk associated with high consumption of fruits and vegetables.
A global assessment of sea turtle bycatch in longline fisheries revealed four primary hotspots in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic, and Mediterranean Sea. The study estimates that 1.4 billion hooks were set globally in 2000, catching at least 200,000 loggerheads and 50,000 leatherbacks.
Researchers studied 35 men with CHF who did not use nitrates. Sildenafil improved erectile dysfunction and reduced depression in the group that took it for six weeks, without causing dangerous drops in blood pressure.
A Northwestern University study found that death rate after hospital discharge increased up to 72 percent for patients with DNR orders. Despite this, the researchers suggest that shorter lengths of stay can be achieved without compromising patient health through improvements in therapies and end-of-life care.
A study of 32,372 patients found that coronary artery aneurysms are associated with a high 5-year mortality rate of 29.1%. Experts emphasize the need for aggressive monitoring and modification of coronary risk factors for all patients with angiographic evidence of aneurysms, regardless of size.
A new test can detect cirrhosis of the liver in its early stages, using changes in sugar production to identify the condition. The test has been shown to be accurate and could lead to earlier detection of liver cancer, improving treatment outcomes.
A study of 5,924 participants aged 43 to 84 found that dry eye developed in 13.3% over a five-year period, with significant associations with age, allergy or diabetes, and poorer health. Certain medications and lifestyle factors also showed protective effects.
Duke University Medical Center researchers found a significant correlation between hospitals' adherence to national guidelines for treating potential heart attacks and improved patient outcomes. Hospitals in the top 25 percentile of adherence had a mortality rate of 4.17 percent, compared to 6.33 percent at lagging hospitals.
Dr. Marrack recognized for significant contributions to T cell research, including understanding of autoimmune diseases and vaccine development. The L'ORÉAL-UNESCO For Women In Science Award aims to support women in science and inspire the younger generation.
A study by University of Alberta researchers found that 22 patients had vertebral fractures, with 45% going undiagnosed. Vertebral fractures often indicate osteoporosis, a common disease in the elderly that can be easily treated with drugs.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that state-mandated continuing medical education (CME) programs for physicians have little association with improved heart attack care outcomes. However, CME-required states showed a significant increase in the use of branded thrombolytic therapies, which may be influenced by ...
The average desktop system requires 10 times its weight in fossil fuels and chemicals to manufacture, with a total of 1.8 tonnes of materials used per computer. The study highlights the need to extend the useful life of existing equipment to reduce waste and mitigate environmental impacts.
A study of 11,645 patients in community hospitals found that only 18.7% were transferred to tertiary facilities with invasive care capabilities within 48 hours, highlighting a crucial weakness in cardiac care delivery. Non-transferred patients were more likely to have comorbidities and receive suboptimal medications.
Scientists have confirmed that baker's yeast underwent complete genome duplication, resulting in the creation of thousands of new genes. This phenomenon allowed for rapid adaptation to new environments and evolution of new functions.
A new study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that C-reactive protein levels are not a reliable indicator of osteoarthritis due to their strong correlation with body mass index (BMI) and ethnicity. Instead, these proteins can serve as an indicator of a patient's response to therapy for osteoarthritis.
Bioethicists Elizabeth Blackburn and Janet Rowley critique two PLoS Biology reports for presenting a biased agenda. They argue that the reports overlook diverse scientific opinions on stem cell research and aging studies.
Fuel cells offer improved efficiency, low emissions, and design flexibility for naval vessels, slashing shipbuilding costs. The Navy's ONR is testing a diesel fuel reformer to develop a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, which will be capable of between 37-52 percent efficiency.
Researchers found that adiponectin may be a key player in determining true risk of heart disease in obese children. The study showed lower adiponectin levels in obese children, who also had higher inflammation markers and cholesterol levels, indicating a potential 'footprint' for heart disease.
Research highlights the link between clinical depression and primary cardiac arrest, as well as low awareness of stroke risk among women in ethnic minorities. Meanwhile, studies reveal the role of adiponectin in regulating cholesterol levels and the importance of targeted educational programs to improve public health.
A recent study found that folic acid fortification was associated with a significant decline in stroke-related mortality rates. The researchers estimated that 31,000 stroke-associated deaths and 17,000 deaths related to ischemic heart disease may have been prevented each year since fortification was implemented.
Researchers found a strong correlation between obesity and high blood pressure in children aged 8-17. The prevalence of high blood pressure increased by 4.2% among overweight children, 3.5% among obese children, and 2.6% among normal-weight children over 10 years.
A new animal model has been created to evaluate the effectiveness of an Alzheimer's vaccine, with promising results in clearing brain amyloid and reversing cognitive decline. The study involved vaccinating rhesus monkeys with beta-amyloid, a protein fragment suspected of disrupting nerve cells in the Alzheimer brain.
Researchers found that teenagers with lower BMIs had higher average anger control scores, while those with increasing BMI's had decreasing anger expression scores. This suggests that unhealthy ways of expressing anger are associated with overweight in teens.
The Coalition Chat Line, a trans-lingual instant messaging technology, was successfully implemented at several US and allied sites in Iraq. The system enabled commanders and operators to communicate rapidly and reliably, even when speaking different languages, reducing costs and delays associated with conventional translation practices.
Researchers have reconstructed the event month by month, finding that fungi and saprophytes took over within a few months to couple of years. The layer of fossil fungi is followed by a recovery flora, which re-established relatively quickly.
Research suggests that subconscious bias can distort facial perceptions, leading to the perpetuation of stereotypes and racism. Studies show that even well-meaning individuals may view identical faces as more hostile in African American faces, highlighting the importance of addressing implicit bias.
A Saint Louis University study finds that most Americans don't make the most nutritious choices due to unclear nutrition messages. The research suggests eating a variety of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A and C, betacarotene, and fiber reduces chronic disease risk.
Researchers used an interactive internet program and short videos to reduce fat intake and increase exercise levels among low-income seventh graders. The study showed that students who attended at least half of the sessions increased their physical activity and reduced dietary fat.
Scientists develop materials that respond magnetically to THz, infra-red, and visible radiation, enabling applications in biological and security imaging. The discovery marks a significant step towards creating perfect lenses that can focus features smaller than the wavelength of light.
The discovery of 1.2 million new genes in Sargasso Sea microbes has significant implications for carbon sequestration and alternative energy production. The genes are part of the larger Genomics: GTL program, which aims to develop innovative solutions to address national energy needs.
A new study found that only 4% of women with coronary heart disease met all four lifestyle goals, including non-smoking status and exercise. Researchers say the findings underscore the need for more effective interventions to improve compliance among high-risk women.
A Rice bioengineer has won the 'Create the Future' design contest with a device that uses acoustic waves to measure bone structural integrity. The OsteoSonic TM system offers advantages over existing radiological diagnostics and is currently undergoing testing.
Heavy smoke from the Amazon River basin causes significant reduction in cloud cover, leading to increased surface warming and altered climate. This study reveals a new mechanism of aerosol-driven global climate change, challenging current models.
Stanford researchers found that patients who received clot-busting drug tPA within an hour of stroke arrival had better recovery outcomes. The study suggests that administering tPA even after the three-hour time period may be beneficial for some patients, albeit with reduced effectiveness.
A study found that obesity rates among US teens have increased significantly since the 1970s, with total cholesterol and blood pressure strongly correlated to weight gain. The rate of weight gain during the teen years has roughly doubled, posing a significant risk for diabetes, strokes, and heart disease later in life.
UVa researchers have identified a mechanism that can correct improper microtubule attachments during cell division. A protein called Aurora B loads MCAK onto the chromosome in an inactive state, which is activated to remove improperly attached microtubules.
A recent five-year study found that simvastatin therapy significantly reduces the incidence of ischemic strokes by 30%, while having no adverse effect on hemorrhagic strokes. The study also shows a substantial reduction in combined major vascular events among patients with cerebrovascular disease.
Research reveals a strong relationship between drugs of abuse, stress, and the amygdala, suggesting CRF receptor blockers may be a new therapeutic for alcoholics. The study highlights the complex neurobiology of addiction, with compounds blocking CRF receptors potentially providing relief from relapse.
Researchers found that gene regulation is bipolar, with a small set of genes relying on the TATA box for proper function, while most genes rely on the TFIID complex. This discovery provides clues about how to understand gene function and regulation in yeast and potentially applicable to human genetics.
Scientists have developed a method to simultaneously track gene transcription, RNA splicing, and protein translation in living cells. The technique reveals fundamental information about how genes are switched on and off in the context of living cells.
The Canavan Disease Clinical Research Training Fellowship supports research into the cause, treatment, and potential cure of this fatal genetic disorder. McPhee plans to examine oligodendrocytes, cells responsible for white matter in the brain, to improve understanding of Canavan disease mechanisms.
Researchers analyze over 59,000 grains from Acfer 094 meteorite and identify nine specks of silicate stardust. The discovery provides information about stellar sources, nuclear processes, and the physical and chemical compositions of stellar atmospheres.
Scientists have discovered that early oceans were devoid of oxygen for billions of years, with a team developing a method to detect signs of ancient oxygen in rocks. The study sheds light on the history of our planet's oceans and could have significant implications for understanding evolution and the origins of life.
A study found that early treatment with thrombolytics can significantly improve stroke recovery rates, with patients treated within 90 minutes of symptom onset showing the most improvement. The study also suggests that t-PA given up to 4 hours after symptoms may be beneficial, but the effect diminishes later.
Researchers found obese children had shorter treadmill times and lower endurance compared to non-obese peers. Obesity also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, joint problems, and atherosclerosis in adolescents.
Research found that young children who consumed moderate amounts of dairy products and fat experienced less weight gain than those on low-fat or high-fat diets. Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables was also associated with lower gains in body fat.
The new centre will combine functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) to study brain processes involved in everyday mental tasks. Research at the centre may lead to improved treatments for conditions like strokes, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia.
The World Health Organization's (WHO) global tuberculosis control strategy, DOTS, is facing challenges in meeting its 2005 targets. A significant case-detection gap exists between estimated annual incident cases and reported cases under the DOTS strategy. The WHO recommends four key actions to address this issue, including equipping na...
Neutrophils can produce NETs, a net-like structure that binds, disarms, and kills bacteria. This novel defense mechanism was discovered by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology.
The study found that protective factors such as high academic achievement and strong community ties can foster pro-social behaviors and prevent antisocial behavior. Additionally, good family management practices were shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of violence among aggressive youth.