Tap water is a significant source of hospital-acquired infections, with biofilm harbouring pathogenic microorganisms. Point-of-use 0.2 micron filters can significantly reduce the release of pathogens and aerosols, providing an absolute barrier between patients and contaminated water.
Researchers at National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a method to create nanoporous, conducting polymer films that can detect toxic gases. The process uses electrostatic repulsion to pattern the polyaniline particles on complex device structures.
UF researchers discovered that high levels of phenylalanine in the brains of mice with PKU interfere with brain cell communication, leading to potential developmental delays and disorders. The findings may lead to new treatments for PKU and other neurological disorders.
Linguist Valteir Martins reconstructs the sound structure and lexicon of Proto-East-Maku, an ancient language of the Brazilian Maku people. The language is genetically related to the Arawak languages, challenging earlier claims that the Maku Indians were the first inhabitants of the Amazon region.
Researchers found that more than half of patients with heart failure have normal ejection fractions but still experience symptoms. The study suggests that conditions like anemia, obesity, and hypertension may play a role in causing heart failure.
A new study published in Experimental Neurology found that rats fed diets rich in blueberries, spinach, or spirulina experienced less brain cell loss and improved recovery after a stroke. The antioxidant-rich diets may counteract the burst of free radicals involved in brain cell death triggered by an ischemic stroke.
Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer are more likely to receive genetic counseling if they're white. African American women are less aware of genetic testing technology and underestimate their cancer risk. The study found a significant racial disparity in the use of BRCA1/2 testing, which is not explained by socioeco...
A combination vaccine for pneumococcus and meningococcal conjugate showed reduced group C meningococcal immunogenicity compared to separate vaccines. The study, conducted from 2000-2002, found the combination vaccine was safe but not suitable as a replacement for individual vaccines.
Rufinamide shows promise in reducing seizures for patients with treatment-resistant Lennox-Gastaut epilepsy. A new gene mutation in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and a common mutation in Parkinson's disease were also identified, offering potential new avenues for research.
The Marine Corps has created a dedicated virtual-reality training system for its assault amphibian vehicles, allowing for increased training capabilities due to range and ammunition supply constraints. The Virtual Environment Assault Amphibian Vehicle (VEAAV) training system was developed by a Navy-Marine Corps team in just six months.
Research finds hypocretin neurons, involved in arousal and appetite, have an unorthodox organization that may contribute to insomnia and obesity. The discovery offers clues to the underlying mechanism of their association.
A study published in Epidemiology found that women with a history of preeclampsia are at a two-fold risk of death compared to those without the disorder. Women diagnosed with preeclampsia who had a subsequent normal birth were also found to have a significantly increased risk of dying after 20 years of follow-up.
A wearable captioning system developed at the Georgia Tech Research Institute allows users to customize captions in any venue that provides captioning. The system relies on mobile wireless technology and can transmit multiple text streams, making it potentially useful for language translation as well.
Researchers are investigating virtual reality therapy as a potential treatment for acute post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in active-duty military members. The therapy aims to provide innovative tools and techniques for early intervention and treatment of PTSD symptoms, including those related to combat.
Researchers found that unattractive children were less likely to be buckled into grocery carts and given more freedom to wander. The study suggests a parent's instinctive Darwinian response drives this behavior, with attractive children receiving more attention and affection.
Researchers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center developed a method to process contaminated plastic waste, leading to the creation of the Plastics Waste Processor. The device has been installed on over 650 Navy ships and has improved the sustainability of naval operations.
A year-long study at Case Western Reserve University found that 'responsive teaching' strategies improved parents' interactions with autistic children and enhanced their developmental growth. The study showed a 60% increase in cognitive development and a 150% increase in language development among participants.
Researchers found that pretreating with DHE can prevent migraines from progressing to debilitating sensitization. This breakthrough suggests that more patients can benefit from standard treatment using intravenous DHE.
A recent study has found that patients who received incorrect doses of fibrinolytic agents were more likely to have underlying health conditions, such as lower systolic blood pressure and body weight. These findings suggest that adverse outcomes from blood clot therapy may be due to patient characteristics rather than dosing errors.
Steve Finkbeiner, a Gladstone investigator, has won the prestigious Lieberman Award for his groundbreaking research on Huntington's disease. The award includes $150,000 in funding to build on his findings using a custom-designed robotic microscope that tracks changes in cells over long periods.
A Umeå research team has made a breakthrough in understanding how obesity causes diabetes, fatty liver, and blood-fat disturbances. The study found that mice lacking a specific receptor, GPR40, are protected from these complications when fed a calorie-rich diet.
A new mouse model has shown reduced blood glucose levels and lower serum insulin, indicating improved glucose tolerance in the liver. The study found that Gab1 acts as a negative regulator on insulin signal strength in the liver, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for type 2 diabetes.
Patients on statins before a stroke had a 1.6 times higher chance of favorable outcomes compared to those not taking statins. Statin use after a stroke was associated with a 2.6 times increased probability of recovery.
A new study found that people with learning difficulties face discrimination, harassment, and bullying due to their sexuality. Despite these challenges, most participants desired social connections and romantic relationships.
Researchers found that whooping cranes exhibit high-amplitude head movements to control their visual world while searching for food. By holding the head still more than 50% of the time, they permit close and stable examination of objects in view, allowing accurate detection, localization, and recognition of food items.
Despite extensive education, few high-risk women consider taking tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer due to concerns over side effects and low perceived risk. Only a small percentage of eligible women would take the drug after learning about its benefits.
A population-based study found that Aboriginal Canadians are nearly four times as likely to sustain severe trauma as the reference population. Motor vehicle crashes were identified as a primary cause of traumatic injuries and death among this group.
The American Cancer Society no longer recommends testing for early lung cancer detection, citing reduced risks after quitting smoking. However, a new position statement strongly advocates for asymptomatic screening in clinical trials or informed discussion of options.
Research investigates how an Atkins-type high meat, low carbohydrate diet in late pregnancy affects offspring's response to mental stress tests. The study, focusing on the 'Motherwell babies,' explores the long-term effects of maternal nutrition during pregnancy on adulthood health outcomes.
Researchers are exploring new technologies to regenerate bone, enhance ligament healing, produce tissue-engineered cartilage and improve bone healing with stem cells derived from muscle. These advances hold promise for treating devastating congenital or traumatic problems and preventing degenerative processes in the aging population.
A recent study found that nearly a third of college students are overweight, while six percent are pre-diabetic. The findings suggest that early screening is crucial for preventing long-term health problems. Researchers also discovered that polyunsaturated fat intake may be linked to slower growth of prostate cancer.
Researchers analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study to assess the number of patients whose health is at risk from being uninsured. At least 23.3% of participants aged 51-57 were uninsured at some point, with a higher proportion in late middle age., Urgent policy measures are needed to expand coverage for this group
The current dyslipidemia guidelines have raised controversy due to concerns that they may lead to more people being screened and prescribed statin therapy. The debate centers around the data used in the guidelines and its implications for patient care.
Researchers from McGill University and the University of Illinois found that toddlers can understand when others have mistaken beliefs. The study presented infants with an actor who played with a toy and hid it in a box to verify their understanding of false beliefs.
A study of 594 dental patients found that 71% were willing to receive information and assistance from their dentist to quit using tobacco products. The majority (71%) of patients who use tobacco are considering quitting or currently trying to quit, with overwhelming support for asking about tobacco usage and access to cessation programs.
Scientists at UCSD successfully shape carbon nanotubes into sharp bends, enabling new applications in atomic force microscopy and fuel cells. The breakthrough could lead to more efficient and compact electronic devices.
Research by Heather Bortfeld shows that babies can discern the beginnings and endings of words that follow their names, providing a foundation for learning language. By using familiar words like their names, babies can anchor their early learning of other word forms and tap into the process at an earliest stage possible.
Research suggests that excessive visceral and muscle adipose tissue accumulation is associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in older adults, regardless of their body weight. Visceral fat was linked to an increased risk, while subcutaneous thigh fat showed an inverse association in obese individuals.
A new study ranks top nanotech applications to aid poor, with energy storage and agriculture leading the list. The study's authors believe these technologies can contribute to UN Millennium Development Goals and improve living standards in developing countries.
A new blood test using NT-proBNP assay can accurately diagnose heart failure in emergency patients with shortness of breath. Combining the test results with clinical judgement provides the most accurate diagnosis.
Older adults with mild hypertension did not experience significant reductions in blood pressure through exercise alone, according to a new study. However, those who lost fat and gained muscle showed more substantial benefits.
The new device achieves a speed of 604 gigahertz, faster than previously thought possible with traditional transistor structures. The researchers' design improves current density and signal charging time by lowering the bandgap in selected areas.
A recent study found that desert vegetation can maintain dry conditions in the soil, minimizing leaching of wastes into underlying aquifers. This has important implications for radioactive and hazardous waste disposal, as well as water resources management.
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Geological Survey of Israel developed a new method to date ancient earthquakes using cave evidence. They found evidence of earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.5 or greater occurring in the region over the last 200,000 years, but not in recent times.
A McGill doctoral student presents findings that educators have a responsibility to protect students from verbal and physical abuse. The study highlights the need for effective policies and enforcement to prevent homophobic harassment in schools.
Researchers found that smokers receiving multiple abnormal CT scans were more likely to quit smoking and remain smoke-free. The study suggests that abnormal lung cancer screening results can serve as a psychological push for smokers to quit, leading to increased success rates.
A USC study found that tobacco's harmful effects on lungs can be passed down through generations, increasing the risk of asthma in children and grandchildren. Grandmothers who smoked during pregnancy had a significant impact on their grandchild's asthma risk.
Scientists discovered the ESCO2 gene responsible for pseudothalidomide syndrome through advanced genetic analysis and comparative genomics. The study provides new insights into craniofacial and limb development, health, and disease.
A new cancer test uses the physical strength of each cell to diagnose and stage cancer, reducing the need for biopsies and potentially saving lives. The 'optical stretcher' can detect cancer in as few as 50 cells, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers found that freedom from rejection after 12 months was 10% higher with those treated with CellCept (63%) compared to azathioprine (53%). Additionally, the one-year survival rate was significantly better in CellCept patients (96%), compared to only 87% of AZA patients.
Researchers have isolated embryo-quality stem cells from adult blood for the first time using a physical characteristic of each cell's stretchiness. This breakthrough technique could revolutionize medical research and treatment by providing an alternative to embryonic stem cells.
A study of French Canadian families found a strong genetic link to restless legs syndrome on chromosome 12q, with periodic leg movements during sleep being a key distinguishing feature. The findings support the involvement of multiple genetic loci in the common sleep disorder.
A Northwestern University team has designed organic molecules that self-assemble into ultra-thin layers for use in transistors. Their tailored molecular components reduce operating voltage and power consumption, making low-power consumption OTFTs a reality.
Researchers calculate that ultra-cold atoms can be used to perform controlled coherent processing with light, preserving information content. This technology has the potential to revolutionize optical computing and create faster-than-electron computers.
Researchers developed patient scenarios to compare costs of three therapies for treating chronic arthritis pain. The study found that combining a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with an acid-reducing drug was less expensive, safer, and more effective than using a Cox-2 inhibitor alone.
A national trial has shown that treatment can improve vision in many older children with amblyopia, a condition affecting up to three percent of US children. The study found significant improvement in vision among children aged 7-17 who received glasses, patches, and near activities.
A new study identifies top 10 nanotechnology applications that can transform lives of billions worldwide, including energy production, agriculture, water treatment, disease diagnosis, and more. These innovations aim to close the gap between rich and poor nations, promoting sustainable development and improving living standards.
A recent study published in Neurology found no evidence that cell phone use increases the risk of developing brain tumors. Researchers analyzed data from over 400 people with and without brain tumors and found no correlation between cell phone use frequency or duration and brain tumor incidence.
Treatment improved vision in older children with amblyopia, with 53% of age seven-12 year olds showing significant improvement when treated with glasses and patches. Most children were left with some visual impairment despite treatment.
Researchers used advanced supercomputing technology and chemical analysis to reconstruct past sea temperatures, finding that increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere initiated warming. This breakthrough sheds light on how climate may respond to greenhouse gas emissions in the future.