A study by University of North Carolina researchers finds that routine episiotomy during childbirth does not reduce pain or prevent complications, but may cause more harm. Women who underwent the procedure were more likely to experience urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and impaired sexual function.
Researchers found that combining methylphenidate patch with behavior modification was superior to either treatment alone, achieving greater improvement in child behavior. The study also showed significant reductions in medication dosages needed, making it ideal for administering lower doses over time.
A new intervention program for toddlers with autism focuses on social engagement to improve language and cognitive development. The program aims to alter the trajectory of early brain development toward a more normal one by promoting emotional relationships between children and other people.
A Pitt professor has been awarded a prestigious Sloan Research Fellowship to study brain communication and its impact on mental disorders like schizophrenia. The two-year, $45,000 fellowship will fund his research into how brain areas interact during normal behaviors and how this interaction breaks down in schizophrenia.
Researchers found that small glaciers in Northern California are remaining stable due to higher precipitation rates. This anomaly highlights the need for further study on glacier behavior and provides insight into climate variability over thousands of years.
The U.S. National Science Foundation and NEH have launched an effort to document dying languages worldwide using modern cyberinfrastructure tools. Over $40 million in funding supports various research projects, including language documentation, archival digitization, and fellowship awards.
Researchers found that cranberry juice powder relaxes and opens blood vessels in genetically susceptible pigs, improving vascular function. The next step is to identify the specific components of cranberries responsible for this effect and develop a palatable way to consume them.
Scientists at Stanford University have developed a new method, Mosaic Analysis with Double Markers (MADM), to create genetically engineered mice with specific mutated genes. This technique enables researchers to study gene function at high resolution, allowing for insights into human development and disease.
A study of gene expression in a microbial community found over 2,000 proteins produced by five key species, including unique enzymes that maintain protein structure in acidic conditions. The community thrives in hot, highly acidic environments, with large numbers of proteins not resembling any other known proteins.
Researchers found that patients motivated for assisted suicide due to chronic illness, loss of sense of self, or fear of future decline. These motivations highlight the need for healthcare providers to address the quality of dying experience with their patients.
A team of scientists used a 3D acoustic imaging system to track the swimming behavior of zooplankton in the Red Sea, revealing that they 'treadmill' against upwelling and downwelling currents. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind zooplankton patchiness and its ecological implications for predators.
Researchers successfully amplify a phenomenon predicted by computer simulations, challenging the idea that equilibrium states are impossible in nonlinear systems. The discovery also sheds new light on the Young's modulus of materials.
Researchers have identified differences in immune system cells and proteins in children with autism, raising hopes for an early diagnostic blood test. The study's findings could lead to a routine blood test that detects autism in newborns and allows for early treatment or prevention.
The course 'Fire Dynamics and Fire Modeling' provides a comprehensive review of tools for developing technical analyses of fire incidents. It features virtual reality reconstructions using NIST Fire Dynamics Simulator and Smokeview software, as well as case studies on actual fire incidents to demonstrate capabilities and limitations.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that two to three percent of people with colon cancer may have Lynch syndrome mutations. Prescreening for the syndrome can help determine genetic counseling and testing needs, as well as estimate patient prognosis.
Materials with shape memory can absorb large amounts of energy, reducing earthquake and wind-induced vibrations. The research aims to understand how these materials 'remember' their shape and improve their applications in various fields.
A survey of 1,105 emergency physicians found that many are hesitant to use tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) due to bleeding risks, despite its potential to restore blood flow in the brain. Team-based approaches and risk-reducing measures may help increase tPA adoption.
Duke University researchers have created a method to make granular materials change phases through vibration and stirring, contradicting conventional expectations. This technique could be used to predict stability in dirt embankments or 'unjam' coal or gravel hoppers.
Researchers found that morphine increased mortality rates by 6.8% compared to nitroglycerin, even after adjusting for clinical risk. The study calls for a randomized clinical trial to confirm the findings and advises cardiologists to prioritize nitroglycerin treatment.
According to a new study published in Science, the Earth's surface has been getting brighter for more than a decade, with an increase of about 4% over the past decade. This trend may accelerate warming at the surface and unmask the full effect of greenhouse warming.
Researchers identify TRPC6 gene as novel mechanism for FSGS, a leading cause of kidney damage. The discovery raises hope for new treatments targeting ion channels, which are amenable to drug therapy.
A recent study by Judith Feeney found that emotional reactions to hurt in relationships are characterized by a sense of personal injury and negative emotions. The research suggests that hurt is elicited by relationship transgressions that damage an individual's core beliefs about themselves or others.
Researchers analyzed how neutrophils respond to Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a tick-borne bacterium that causes granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans. The study found that A. phagocytophilum can delay apoptosis in human neutrophils, allowing bacteria to replicate and cause infection.
The researchers found that activating the Oct4 gene in adult tissue causes tumors by preventing stem cells from differentiating. This discovery may allow scientists to multiply adult stem cells in the lab without forming mature tissue.
Researchers have identified ferroportin 1 as essential for normal iron cycling in zebrafish. This discovery sheds light on the importance of ferroportin 1 in maintaining iron homeostasis in humans. Understanding its function is crucial for developing effective treatments for iron-related disorders.
Researchers discovered minimum melting conditions on early Earth, 200 million years after solar system formation, using a new zircon thermometer technique. This finding provides important information about the first eon of Earth's history and opens up possibilities for life's early foothold.
NYU researchers have elucidated a mechanism by which organic molecules attach to semiconductor surfaces, leading to the formation of four principal products. This finding has significant implications for the semiconductor industry, particularly in lithography and surface patterning.
Researchers modelled and simulated motor traffic to determine optimal conditions for nanocargo transport in biomimetic systems. The study found that increasing the number of motors while avoiding traffic jams is crucial for efficient cargo transport.
Researchers found that red-eyed tree frog embryos distinguish between snake-attack and rain-induced vibrations, hatching early in response to the former. The study suggests that temporal patterns of vibrations play a crucial role in triggering early hatching, allowing the embryos to avoid snake attacks.
Researchers have solved the co-crystal structure of the Dam enzyme in complex with DNA, revealing its role in regulating bacterial virulence. The study offers a potential target for designing rationally designed drugs to inhibit this enzyme's chemical reaction or DNA binding process.
Researchers used a novel transgenic strategy to create ProC mice with low protein C levels, which spontaneously developed thrombosis and inflammation. The study found that maternal ProC is required for sustaining pregnancy, highlighting the role of protein C in development and disease.
A bacterial community flourishing in iron sulfide-rich runoff near Redding has been uncovered, providing clues to the structure and activities within these communities. The study reveals 2,036 proteins from five most abundant species, shedding light on microbial systems in real-world conditions.
A Canadian study involving 163 families with confirmed child physical abuse or neglect found that regular home visits by public-health nurses did not prevent recurrence of abuse. The study's findings suggest that prevention efforts must be invested in to reduce the risk of recurrence when a child remains in the home.
Researchers measured air toxin levels in a tollbooth and found that the ventilation system provided relatively low and constant concentrations of pollutants, protecting workers during rush-hour traffic. However, chlorinated VOCs used in cleaning products were present at higher concentrations indoors than outdoors.
A study examining nearly 100,000 patients found that nearly half did not receive recommended laboratory tests to monitor potential drug side effects. The researchers conclude that lapses in drug safety monitoring are common and further research is needed to determine the extent of its impact on actual medical problems.
Assistant Professor Brusilovsky aims to create more interactive and expressive systems for retrieving and filtering information. His research focuses on helping students find relevant resources in online tutorials, electronic textbooks, and digital libraries.
A recent study by Penn researchers found that a metabolic enzyme works with the tumor-suppressor protein p53 to control cellular replication. The enzyme, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), acts as a sensor to detect energy levels in cells and prevents them from replicating under certain conditions.
A new general medical services contract in the UK may not adequately address the needs of patients with chronic heart failure. Despite efforts to improve management and diagnosis, concerns remain about the level of support provided by secondary care, particularly access to specialist advice and diagnostic resources.
The NOAA-N satellite will collect data on Earth's surface and atmosphere for weather forecasts, climate predictions, and search and rescue operations. With advanced imaging and sounding capabilities, the satellite aims to improve understanding of environmental changes worldwide.
A newly discovered lungless salamander in Korea has significant implications for the understanding of amphibian evolution and biogeography. The species, named Karsenia koreana, is distinct from other lungless salamanders and sheds light on their historical distribution across Asia and Europe.
A study by the University of Alberta found that successful exercisers use plans and action, not pep talks, to maintain regular exercise. Boomer-age women tend to have higher activity levels, while older men are less active due to fear of injury or illness.
Researchers at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute developed a mouse model showing that mutant HD proteins exert influence on nearby brain cells, which interact with target cells to spark disease. The study provides direct genetic evidence for the role of cellular interactions in Huntington's disease progression.
A new surgical technique called 'sharpless' surgery uses laparoscopy, electrocautery, and skin clips to reduce the risk of infection. The study found that blood-borne pathogens are associated with certain operations and that inexperienced surgeons-in-training are at greatest risk.
A study by McMaster University found that children's brains are less adept at judging speed in slow motion due to immaturity. As a result, adding speed to a pitch helps them perceive it more accurately. The research, set to be published in July, was triggered by a correlation between eye problems and perception.
Exposure and response prevention therapy is shown to be effective in reducing OCD symptoms in children, with benefits lasting after treatment ends. Medication therapy also reduces symptoms but does not provide a cure for the disorder.
A study at Duke University Medical Center found that genetic variations in platelet surface receptors and coagulation proteins are associated with increased post-operative bleeding. This discovery may lead to genetic screening as a tool for pre-operative evaluation of heart surgery patients.
An international team has determined the complete genetic blueprint of Dictyostelium discoideum, a simple social amoeba long used by researchers to gain insight into human diseases. The genome contains nearly twice as many protein coding genes as previously thought and provides a new tool for studying human disease.
Researchers found that monarch butterflies rely on ultraviolet light for navigation and that this process is linked to their circadian clock. The study revealed the importance of polarized light in guiding butterfly migration.
Aeras and UCLA announce a license deal for rBCG30, a live recombinant vaccine technology developed at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. The vaccine has shown promising results in initial clinical studies and holds potential to reduce TB disease burden globally.
Researchers have created a new method to identify specific proteins in bacterial cells, simplifying the process and increasing signal-to-background ratio. The technique uses peptide mass fingerprinting with mass spectrometry, allowing for rapid identification of target proteins amidst hundreds of other cell components.
Researchers have found molecular changes in breast cancer that are similar to those occurring in brain tumors, providing new insights into disease progression and potential treatment targets. The study identified specific laminin isoform changes that coincide with blood vessel growth and metastasis in breast cancer.
Researchers have successfully developed human eggs from ovarian surface cells (OSE cells) in a laboratory setting. This breakthrough has potential applications in human reproduction, including increased chances of conception for women with reduced fertility and premature menopause.
Scientists discovered that mice lacking LPA receptors experience fertility problems, with embryos failing to implant in the womb. This finding may lead to new insights into female infertility and potential therapeutic interventions for human fertility issues.
A study of 163 Canadian families found that regular home visits by nurses did not reduce the risk of child abuse recurrence. The high rates of recurrence suggest a need for substantial efforts in prevention before a pattern is established.
The article discusses the rise of online organ donation platforms like MatchingDonors.com, which have successfully paired donors with recipients. However, the medical community is divided over the ethics of soliciting organs online, with concerns about subverting the UNOS system and policing financial remuneration for living donors.
Researchers will generate 10,000 lines of maize with disrupted genes to study their effects on plant systems and develop plants with enhanced properties for agriculture and industry.
Studies in mice with genetically engineered mutant huntingtin protein found that widespread production led to locomotor problems, neurodegeneration, and abnormal brain connections. Conversely, restricted production showed little difference from normal mice, suggesting cellular interactions play a significant role in HD pathogenesis.
Researchers discovered a genetic link between a mutation and vitamin B6 responsiveness, enabling a genetic test for guiding treatment. The disease causes kidney stones or failure if left untreated, but early diagnosis with this test can maximize successful treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a robotic arm called RUPERT to help stroke survivors regain basic tasks like reaching and feeding themselves. The device uses pneumatic muscles and can be programmed for repetitive exercises to improve arm and hand flexibility and strength.
Researchers at UCLA have pinpointed a specific region on chromosome 17 associated with autism in males. The discovery may help explain why girls are less likely to develop the condition, as the gene contributing to autism only affects boys.