Researchers found a surprising decrease in surgical infection risk after age 65, peaking at 65-74 years. The study analyzed 144,485 patients and found the highest rates of infections for gastrointestinal, cardiothoracic, and vascular procedures.
Researchers discover risk-increasing mutation in non-coding region of RET gene associated with Hirschsprung disease, challenging traditional focus on protein-coding sequences. The study highlights the importance of non-coding regions in disease development.
Researchers believe gut microbes influence how medicines affect the body, leading to individualized treatments and drug discovery. Changes in gut microbiome composition may impact medication effectiveness between individuals.
A new study shows that the GeoForm mitral valve repair ring can reverse damage caused by congestive heart failure and improve symptoms in patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation. The ring has been approved for tightening leaky mitral valves, but also changes the shape of the left ventricle to help it contract better.
Research suggests pathological gamblers exhibit altered decision-making functions and executive control, leading to long-term negative consequences. The study sheds light on the role of the prefrontal cortex in this neuropsychiatric disorder.
Research by Vikesland and his associates suggests that consumer products containing triclosan can produce chloroform when mixed with chlorinated water, which can be absorbed through skin or inhaled. The production of chloroform has implications for human health and the environment due to its potential to accumulate in body tissues.
The American Academy of Neurology presented Leeza Gibbons with the Public Leadership in Neurology Award for her advocacy work on Alzheimer's disease. Her foundation, Leeza's Place, provides community-based locations offering comfort, education, and care to those affected by memory disorders.
A Mayo Clinic study showed that donepezil treatment may slow the progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease. Patients with a specific genotype had a longer response to the treatment, which could lead to new horizons in early treatment and prevention.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have determined the structure of a protein complex on retroviruses that enables them to infect cells. The complex undergoes a radical change in shape as it attaches to cells, and its arrangement is unlike other known viral envelope protein structures.
Recent studies of the cosmic microwave background radiation suggest that small black holes were widespread in the early universe and merged to form larger black holes. This finding could indicate an era in which small black holes were commonplace, with potential telltale evidence in galaxies without a central supermassive black hole.
A major clinical trial suggests that the use of donepezil may delay the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in people with mild cognitive impairment, with a 58% reduced risk at one year. The study also highlights the importance of considering genetic factors, such as apolipoprotein E-4, in making treatment decisions.
Researchers found that many runners dilute their sodium levels during long races due to excessive water intake. The study recommends individualized fluid-replacement consumption for all competing athletes to prevent hyponatremia, a potentially life-threatening condition.
A new study published in Epidemiology found no correlation between prenatal ultrasound exposure and reduced intellectual capacity. Researchers analyzed data from approximately 180,000 boys born in the 1970s, revealing small differences that could be attributed to other factors.
Scientists found that a small form of APOBEC3G repels HIV, while a large form is ineffective; blocking the small form makes resting cells susceptible to infection. The discovery shifts the paradigm on how HIV infects T cells.
New LASIK research suggests that the choice of laser or blade for corneal flap creation significantly impacts visual outcomes. Using the IntraLase laser results in higher rates of achieving 20/20 vision and better-than-20/20 vision, even up to 20/12.5. Custom treatments also show improved results with the IntraLase laser.
A study at Mayo Clinic found an association between anxious and pessimistic personality types and the future development of Parkinson's disease. Individuals with these personality traits have a higher risk of developing the disease, but the exact reason for this link remains unclear.
A study of 68 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease found that higher levels of spirituality and religiosity may slow cognitive decline. Spirituality and private religious practices accounted for 20% of the total variance in cognitive decline.
A study using Danish population data found that women whose partners had a psychiatric admission were almost seven times more likely to commit suicide than those with good mental health. Men who lost their partner to suicide were 46 times more likely to take their own life, compared to three times the risk for women bereaved by suicide.
A study found that adult patients with mild persistent asthma fare similarly whether they take inhaled steroids daily or only during symptoms. This suggests a possible cost-saving benefit, as estimated annual medication costs would be $2 billion lower if patients took steroids only when needed.
According to Professor Andrew Hamilton, the core of a black hole is not a singular point of infinite density but rather a hot, dense plasma that siphons matter into itself. This plasma could be the cause of a space traveller's demise in larger black holes.
A Bonn study calculates that greenhouse gases are responsible for just under half of global warming since 1880, with natural factors accounting for the remaining half. The researchers used 30 different climate models to reach this conclusion, which they believe will continue to worsen even after the Kyoto Protocol is implemented.
Researchers Drs. Melanie Vile and David Velinsky are studying the effects of sea level rise and saltwater intrusion on tidal marsh ecosystem services in the Delaware Estuary. Tidal marshes provide crucial functions such as storm buffering, shoreline stabilization, and fish nursery habitats.
Researchers developed nanoshells that can detect breast cancer biomarkers and destroy cancer cells using near-infrared light absorption. This combined imaging and therapy method offers a faster and less expensive alternative to existing medical imaging techniques.
Research on almost 116,000 English and Welsh breast cancer patients found that South Asian women were diagnosed at a significantly younger age, averaging 52 compared to 63 for other women. Additionally, their five-year survival rate was over 70%, with affluence boosting health and survival rates even among the poor.
Researchers found that tamoxifen significantly reduced the frequency of breast enlargement and breast pain compared to radiotherapy. The study showed that tamoxifen is a more effective treatment for preventing these side effects in prostate cancer patients.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that smoking doubles the risk of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the UK. The study suggests that up to 30,000 cases of visual impairment may be attributable to smoking, highlighting the importance of quitting smoking and promoting p...
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago has revealed that African Americans who have a strong relationship with God are significantly less likely to report depressive symptoms. This is particularly significant given that discrimination and related experiences result in higher levels of alienation, which may...
The 2005 Wistar Institute Science Journalism Award was awarded to Hall for his novel exploration of human life conceived with artificial reproductive assistance. The award recognizes intelligent and perceptive journalism that communicates progress in biomedicine to the public.
Researchers discovered that overexpressing insulin transcription factors MafA, PDX-1, and NeuroD in the liver of diabetic mice increased insulin gene expression and improved glucose tolerance. This breakthrough suggests a crucial role for MafA as a novel therapeutic target for diabetes.
Entomologists Quentin Wheeler and Kelly Miller named three slime-mold beetle species after former US leaders Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld. The decision was made to pay homage to the U.S. leaders' commitment to freedom and democracy.
Researchers explain violent origins of extrasolar planetary behavior, citing planet-planet scattering as key factor. The study's findings suggest that strong instabilities led to the formation of highly eccentric orbits in multiple systems.
A study by University of Warwick researchers has shown that the solar wind density behaves like a turbulent stream, not a passive scalar as previously thought. This discovery will impact our understanding of turbulence in complex systems such as climate change and weather patterns.
A new study combines quantitative and qualitative analysis to track transnational conflicts more efficiently than ever before. The FAST project utilizes modern communication tools to facilitate near-real-time information exchange between policymakers, researchers, and practitioners.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new family of materials that can change shape in response to light, offering potential for minimally invasive surgery and other applications. The polymers use molecular switches that bind together when exposed to UV light, allowing them to maintain their shape until the light is switched off.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute found that an initiating genetic error can lead to relentless cell division, causing DNA replication stress and breaks. This stress creates conditions for tumor progression and the accumulation of mutant genes, ultimately leading to cancer.
Termite guts have been found to convert cellulose into ethanol, a potential solution for the world's energy supply and storage problems. Chu believes that biology can be used as a solution to pressing environmental issues.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that symptom-driven therapy may be an effective treatment option for adults with mild persistent asthma. The research found that participants who took medication only when symptoms appeared had similar lung function changes and quality-of-life scores compared to thos...
Researchers have identified a previously unknown protein called Fra-1 that controls cancer cells' malignant characteristics and spread to healthy tissue. The discovery, made in glioblastoma brain tumors, suggests new treatment possibilities for multiple cancers.
A study published by Mayo Clinic researchers found that removing the ovaries elevates the risk of Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism in women. The study, which analyzed data from over 2,500 women, suggested that a reduction in estrogen levels after ovary removal may contribute to this increased risk.
A recent study reveals that individuals with essential tremor are at a significantly higher risk of developing dementia. The research followed 202 people with essential tremor and found that 7.4% developed dementia over an average period of three years, compared to 3.5% in the control group.
Researchers develop new method to grow self-assembled and self-welded carbon nanotube devices, potentially leading to smaller but more powerful computers and electronic communication devices. The discovery could improve companies' competitive edge and help the $850 billion electronics industry advance.
A study of 387 patients with epilepsy found that the timing of post-surgery seizures is a key predictor of long-term success. Patients who experienced seizures within four months of surgery had a worse prognosis, while those who waited longer tended to become seizure-free.
Scientists at NIST and Johns Hopkins University have developed a new optical method that can image subsurface structures under skin using polarized light. The method minimizes unwanted light scattering and may eventually be used to produce more detailed images of deeper layers of skin for diagnosing various types of skin cancers.
The probable collapse sequences for the World Trade Center (WTC) towers reveal a complex interplay of factors leading to their collapse, including fires fueled by building contents and jet fuel. The sequences update and finalize hypotheses released by NIST, supported by extensive computer modeling and evidence.
Using informatics and computer modelling, researchers can speed up vaccine development by identifying common patterns in 'foreign' protein sequences. This approach has the potential to significantly reduce the number of proteins that need to be experimentally tested.
A study by Oregon State University suggests that ocean currents could disrupt the marine food chain, leading to a decline in phytoplankton productivity. The Atlantic Conveyer current, which warms Europe, is a critical component of this process, and its disruption could have far-reaching consequences for global food security.
A study analyzing ASSENT-2 clinical trial data found no significant association between small dosing errors and increased mortality rates among heart attack patients. However, patients with certain factors such as advanced age, female gender, and lower blood pressure were more likely to experience adverse events.
A dynamic landscape model developed by Lieven Claessens predicts landslide-prone areas and calculates rainfall effects. The research aims to conserve kauri forests, which have prevented landslides for over 1,000 years in New Zealand's Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.
The Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence will explore different types of ethics to serve as a common spiritual backbone for humankind. The center will promote deep, continuous ethical discourse among students and faculty at Case Western Reserve University.
A new study found that traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes are strongly associated with cardiovascular death in kidney patients. Emerging risk factors like elevated C-reactive protein levels were not as strongly linked to increased risk of cardiovascular death.
A Virginia Tech researcher is awarded a prestigious NSF CAREER grant to develop unique micro-analytical systems and detection strategies for proteomic investigations. The project aims to address basic technological limitations, enabling faster proteomics and new analytical capabilities.
Scientists have found that Pseudomonas bacteria can switch between two phases, improving their competitive advantage. The switches are caused by spontaneous gene mutations, enabling the bacteria to respond more quickly to changes.
Research found low doses of BPA in female rats inhibit estrogen-induced synaptic connections, affecting hippocampal development and memory. High concentrations of BPA have been reported in pregnant women's blood, potentially impacting human hippocampal development and long-term effects on children's learning ability.
Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert and her team have screened a large number of molecules to find peptide sequences with varying affinity for heparin, a sugar that binds nerve repair drugs. They aim to develop affinity-based drug delivery systems to stimulate tissue regeneration for conditions like nerve damage.
Researchers at the University of Glasgow are developing a solution to the problem of safe mobile computing by utilizing 3D sound and gestures. This innovative approach allows users to interact with their devices as naturally as talking to a friend while walking, minimizing the risk of accidents.
A new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism found that Pfizer's Lyrica significantly reduced pain and improved sleep, fatigue, and other symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia. The study also showed a clinically meaningful reduction of pain in 48% of patients taking Lyrica compared to 27% on placebo.
Researchers discovered that low levels of protein Z and S early in pregnancy can increase the risk of pregnancy complications. The study included 103 women with normal pregnancies, 106 with pregnancy complications, and 20 with inherited clotting conditions. Women with prior complications may be at higher risk for future issues.
The Smart Sensor Enabled Neural Threat Recognition and Identification (SENTRI) system uses software developed by Dr. Ted Berger to recognize suspicious noises. It can distinguish between gun fire and other noises, as well as small-arms fire from heavy weapons.
Researchers found a unique organization of inputs on hypocretin neurons in mice, where excitatory nerve junctions outnumber inhibitory contacts by almost 10 fold. Stressors like fasting excite these neurons, leading to insomnia and associated metabolic disturbances, including obesity.
A study found that an ancient enzyme, GCN2 kinase, plays a crucial role in guiding healthy eating behavior in mammals. The enzyme detects changes in blood amino acid levels and triggers a behavioral response to limit consumption of imbalanced food.