Researchers found that certain species of airborne fungus trigger abnormal immune responses, leading to congestion and inflammation in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. The study suggests that reducing fungal exposure through treatments like nasal irrigations or antifungal medicines could provide relief.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered that lithium can protect brain cells involved in learning and memory from radiation damage. Clinical trials are expected to test whether the drug can prevent cognitive deficits in humans treated with cranial radiation therapy.
A supersized virtual library is being developed by a team led by New Jersey Institute of Technology professor Michael Bieber, PhD. The library will consolidate reference listings from public, university and online digital libraries, providing users with customized search results and automatic link additions.
Fred Hilterman, a UH geophysics professor, is being honored with the Cecil Green Enterprise Award for his innovations and dedication in advancing geosciences. He co-founded the Geophysical Development Corporation (GDC), which integrated petrophysical and seismic data, and developed AVO technology to determine the earth's composition.
The hospital will test a scheme to improve flu control using secure electronic health records and public-health information systems. Dr. Kenneth Mandl and Dr. Aneel Advani will lead projects to develop an automated call center for large-scale epidemiologic investigations during outbreaks.
Researchers at the University of Michigan are collaborating on a three-year project to address racial disparities in pregnancy outcomes. The study aims to develop more comprehensive and coordinated prenatal care strategies, as well as evaluate the role of leadership, providers, and patients in improving health equity.
The CHEST Foundation recognizes medical professionals for their outstanding community service and patient care projects, supporting lung health in 11 countries. Grant money is used to bring primary medical services to vulnerable populations.
Scientists at UNC have discovered a basic mechanism in cell growth control involving damaged DNA, pointing to a potential target for drug development. The study found that the cellular enzyme family Cullin4 plays a crucial role in preventing replication of damaged genomic material.
A study found that hormone therapy can limit heart muscle damage to 5% or cause permanent damage to 35%. Researchers are exploring how estrogen alone and other anti-inflammatory treatments may impact muscle damage. The study suggests different hormone therapies may have varying effects on postmenopausal women.
Two studies found that soy-based diets improved cholesterol levels and increased bone mass in monkeys, suggesting a potential benefit for premenopausal women. The research suggests that soy may provide a potent protection against cardiovascular disease and could help maintain bone health after menopause.
Researchers couple bacterial life with theophylline production, which breaks down caffeine slowly in plants. The goal is to create coffee plants low in caffeine using these engineered bacteria.
A three-year analysis of over 10,500 genes reveals a host of interesting leads on which genes may play a role in controlling sinusitis and nasal polyps. The study found that 192 genes were up-regulated and 156 were down-regulated in diseased tissue samples.
A new study suggests that low-dose estrogen therapy may be as effective as traditional doses in reducing atherosclerosis and improving cardiovascular health. Monkeys treated with low-dose estrogen had 55% less atherosclerosis than those not receiving the therapy.
Chronic sinusitis sufferers exhibit abnormal immune responses to harmless fungal spores, releasing cytokines that can cause persistent inflammation. This study provides a possible immunologic basis for the condition and supports antifungal therapy as a potential treatment option.
The MRC CRASH* trial found that giving patients corticosteroids after a head injury increased the risk of death within two weeks, with 21% of those treated dying compared to 18% on placebo. The trial involved over 10,000 patients from nearly 50 countries and challenges previous studies' findings.
A new technique targeting pesticide-resistant insects has shown effectiveness in trials against the cotton bollworm, silverleaf whitefly, and diamondback moth. The method uses micro-encapsulated formulations to deliver an enzyme inhibitor and a pesticide, providing a double-blow effect.
The eight Hartford Fellows will conduct research on various issues in geriatric social work, including depression, end-of-life care, and aging. The program aims to cultivate the next generation of geriatric social work faculty who will improve care for older adults and their families.
A recent study found that individuals with mental illness are at a higher risk of developing brain and lung cancers. The research, supported by the American Cancer Society and National Institute of Mental Health, suggests that people with mental health problems smoke more than the general population.
Researchers found neural patterns in adult ferrets' visual cortex correlated with images viewed, but not in young ferrets. Adult ferret brains showed 80% processing activity even in darkness, suggesting the basis of comprehending vision may differ in young and old brains.
A Swedish study reveals that smoking substantially raises the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, particularly in individuals with the shared epitope gene. The research, published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, found a significant interaction between smoking and the SE gene, increasing the disease risk to 7.5 times.
Researchers aim to create a 'web of meaning' by developing languages and tools that make it easier for computers to understand web pages. By distributing ontologies, search engines can achieve more accurate and relevant results, especially in areas with no standard rules of searching.