Dartmouth Medical School researchers have identified the enzymatic activity of Aprataxin, a gene associated with an early onset hereditary neurological disorder. This discovery may lead to improved treatment strategies for ataxia-oculomotor apraxia 1 by targeting specific protein substrates.
A team of Johns Hopkins engineering undergraduates designed a system that uses sound emitters in the ball and on the backboard to enable blind people to play basketball. The system, tested by Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, allows players to locate their shooting target through low pulse tones and higher continuous tones.
Benicar-based treatment algorithms significantly reduced mean systolic blood pressure in Stage 2 hypertensive populations. In Stage 1 patients, 89% reached the aggressive blood pressure goal of less than 130/85 mmHg.
Researchers identify two distinct cell types, macrophages and dendritic cells, that form the body's emergency response to foreign bacteria. These cells play a crucial role in developing protective immunity against leprosy and other diseases.
Professor Menachem Elimelech of Yale University has been awarded the prestigious Athalie Richardson Irvine Clarke Prize for outstanding achievement in water science and technology. The award recognizes his significant contributions to understanding water quality, quantity, and public policy.
Five high-profile medical whistleblowers share their accounts of practices in medicine and research that risk public health and safety. They reveal the 'pharma-FDA complex' may compromise drug development, prescribing, and safety monitoring, leading to potential disasters like Vioxx.
The Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN) will investigate patients who have suffered severe liver injury due to medications. The network aims to identify genetic risk factors for such injuries, which are a major cause of sudden liver failure and new drug failures.
A recent study using the Panel Study of Economic Dynamics found that women's weight gain is associated with reduced family income and occupational prestige. The researchers tracked changes in Americans over several decades, highlighting the impact of body mass on economic outcomes.
Researchers found that people altered their behavior after exposure to subliminal happy faces, drinking more and paying triple the price for a mystery drink. Thirst proved necessary for influence, and effects were short-lived, lasting only until conscious awareness arrived.
A study found that feelings of threat lead to increased support for US military intervention, restrictions on foreign visitors, and increased surveillance. The authors also discovered a link between anxiety and opposition to military action, but not to policies targeting Arabs.
Researchers found that verbal cues and internal targets affect the muscles used to produce sound and the speed of speech. In noisy conditions, speakers slowed their speech to improve intelligibility, highlighting the complexity of speech production goals.
A recent study found that homemade gene expression technology is less reliable than commercial microarray platforms. The research, led by OHSU scientist Peter Spencer, used standardized protocols to compare lab-built and commercially produced microarrays, showing improved reproducibility with commercial platforms.
A study found that ICU staff reported only 61% of errors detected by external observers, indicating a significant underreporting of unintended events. The use of observer monitoring can provide invaluable information about incidents in ICUs in a short period, improving quality and safety.
A new study by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found that animal tests for birth defects are often inaccurate, with potential teratogens causing effects in animals but not humans. In vitro testing, such as embryonic stem cell tests, is considered a more effective alternative.
A study by Odilia Bermudez found that more than two-thirds of American adults consume enough soda or sweet drinks to account for a greater proportion of daily calories. This consumption is linked to higher obesity rates, particularly among African Americans, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites.
The UK Appalachia Community Cancer Network will focus on prevention and early detection of specific cancers with high incidence rates in the region. The network builds on the progress made by a previous program and aims to address the high cancer burden in Appalachian communities.
The RIKEN-BNL QCDOC supercomputer will primarily be used for physics research, focusing on the properties of quark-gluon plasma and quantum chromodynamics. It will also be available for scientific projects in biology and materials science during 10% of its operating time.
A five-year study involving over 1,500 children and teenagers found that witnessing gun violence doubles the risk of violent behavior. The research suggests that exposure to violence can be viewed as an infectious disease, with one in every two teens who witness violence committing a violent act.
A study by K-State researcher Elizabeth Cady found that familiar songs act as strong memory cues, regardless of whether participants heard the song or saw only the lyrics, photo or title. The study used 124 participants who chose a song from lists of popular music from different periods of their lives.
Researchers investigated the role of genital neurological integrity and found that almost half of women with female sexual dysfunction (FSD) reported symptoms. Decreased sensation in the clitoris was particularly prevalent among those with multiple forms of FSD.
The UK's chronic need to recruit health professionals from overseas is exacerbating the brain drain in English-speaking sub-Saharan Africa. Experts suggest increasing training of doctors and nurses in the UK and providing practical assistance to African countries affected by loss of health professionals.
A new study found that incorporating humor into an existing online course enhances student engagement and enjoyment. Students in the humor-enhanced section were more likely to participate in discussion boards and showed improved overall satisfaction with the course.
A recent Kansas State University graduate found that compliments can ease women's anxiety over their looks by reducing shame about their bodies. Research shows that kind words, regardless of physical appearance, can improve self-image and reduce the likelihood of depression.
A two-year study found that home-care patients are at a high rate of pneumonia, complications, including mortality rates 11% higher than other patients. Frailty and decreased immunity are major contributing factors.
Research found a strong association between depression severity and poor glycemic control among Hispanics with diabetes, particularly those with moderate-severe depression. This underlines the importance of identifying and treating depression to improve diabetic outcomes in this high-risk population.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that patients with metabolic syndrome and moderate coronary calcium have a greater chance of having blockage in their arteries. The study analyzed 1,043 patients without known heart disease and found that those with metabolic syndrome had a significantly higher risk of ischemia during st...
Researchers at USC's IMSC have developed new haptics systems that challenge stroke patients to perform tasks like grasping, pinching, and squeezing in virtual environments. These interfaces provide precise control over rehabilitation programs, allowing physical therapists to tailor exercises to each patient's level of impairment.
A new study by University of Michigan researcher Jeffrey B. Bingenheimer found that adolescents exposed to gun violence are nearly four times as likely to perpetrate violence over the next two years. The study used propensity stratification to simulate randomization and controlled for demographic, socioeconomic, and temperamental factors.
A team of astronomers suggests that Type Ic supernovae could produce gamma-ray bursts through the collapsar model, which proposes an asymmetric explosion mechanism and a jet of particles and energy. The theory is supported by observations with Keck and Subaru telescopes in Hawaii.
The University of Manchester's Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine is conducting a three-month study on infectious diseases. The project will examine the evolving risk of diseases, changing detection requirements, and cutting-edge science to inform future research and management policies.
A team of researchers has created simple structural models for over 600 Escherichia coli membrane proteins using a combination of experimental techniques and theoretical methods. The study reveals which membrane proteins can be produced in large quantities by the bacterium, crucial information for drug development.
A NCAR researcher used white-light images of the Sun's corona to study magnetic flux ropes, which store massive amounts of energy. The study found that these structures can form prior to a coronal mass ejection (CME), suggesting a new approach for understanding and forecasting CMEs.
A study found that resistance training significantly improved blood sugar levels in older Hispanic adults with type 2 diabetes. The participants who underwent 16 weeks of resistance training showed a substantial reduction in body fat and increase in muscle mass, similar to the effects seen when weight loss is achieved through other means.
Martin Klein received the Pais Award for his groundbreaking research on the history of 19th and 20th century physics, which have profoundly influenced generations of historians. He also made significant contributions to the history of relativity and quantum physics.
Scientists found a new role for protein ATF2 in DNA repair, which may pave the way to cancer treatments. The study reveals that ATF2's dual function in regulating cell cycle and programmed cell death can be uncoupled from its DNA repair function.
A study by Teuscher found that time limits can amplify emotions in both positive and negative directions. This research has implications for understanding how people cope with endings and transitions, such as death, separations, or retirement.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that personal devotion to Islam is not linked to support for suicide bombings, but attending mosques more frequently is. The study analyzed data from over 1,150 Palestinian Muslim adults and found that communal religious practice was a predictor of support for suicide terrorism.
The new process, developed by Michael Wong and his team, involves mixing polymer, salt, and tiny silica particles to create hollow spheres that can encapsulate drugs, flavor compounds, and other molecular cargo. The microcapsules have potential applications in drug delivery, medical imaging, and enzyme protection.
A limited study of 15 horses found that MLV vaccines consistently had lower fevers, no neurological disorders and less virus in nasal fluids. The horses were then exposed to the herpes virus after vaccination with either an MLV or inactivated vaccine.
Researchers found that a 'reward' pathway in the brain primes the subconscious to learn efficiently. Participants showed marked improvement in recognizing moving dots despite focused attention on other stimuli. The study suggests long-term retention of learned behaviors and challenges the notion of fixed brain development.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new 3-D cardiac imaging probe that offers sharper, high-contrast images and real-time guidance for therapeutic treatment devices. The probe's ability to generate three-dimensional images may shorten patient time in clinics and reduce radiation exposure.
A large-scale distribution programme of free NRT in New York found that 33% of recipients successfully quit smoking, compared to 6% in the comparison group. The programme accounted for at least 6,000 successful quits, with a cost of US$464 or less per quit.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a natural compound, nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), that helps keep airways open and may offer a new approach to treating asthma. Mice with elevated levels of GSNO were less susceptible to asthma, while those deficient in GSNO developed the disease.
Scientists have discovered a new underwater volcano near Samoa, dubbed Nafanua, which has rapidly formed since its last expedition in May 2001. The volcano's growth rate averages eight inches per day, and researchers found an unusual biological community of eels inhabiting the area.
The ESRC Delivery Plan aims to increase responsive funding, address staff recruitment and retention issues, and enable major partnerships through collaborative funding. The plan also focuses on addressing key research challenges and demonstrating high ethical standards in social science research.
A K-State professor is conducting research on the STAR Lab's simulation training program for young teenagers. The lab aims to assess training effectiveness and study whether such training transfers to real-life driving situations.
A recent poll conducted by Queen's University reveals that Ontarians are divided on the closure of institutions for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Despite government promises, many respondents believe there are not enough community services in place to support integration. The survey found that 81% do not think institution...
Researchers at UC San Diego found that damage to a specific brain area, the angular gyrus, affects patients' ability to comprehend metaphors. The study suggests that this region plays a crucial role in processing conceptual metaphors and cross-modal abstractions.
A University of Toronto report assesses the overall performance of 11 psychiatric hospitals and 45 acute-care facilities in Ontario, highlighting strengths and weaknesses. The study identifies key areas for improvement, including patient participation, continuity of care, regional variation, and evidence-based care.
A team of Purdue chemists has found that amines can form stable bonds with gold surfaces, making them suitable for coating sensors and other devices. This discovery could expand the range of molecules used in biotech applications, particularly in biosensors that detect proteins in the blood to indicate disease.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing smart lighting sources with improved spectral power distribution, polarization, and color temperature to enable new functions in various fields. These innovations have the potential to reduce energy consumption, dependency on oil, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new type of hydrogen sensor that shows rapid and reversible responses to hydrogen gas. The sensors use a discontinuous palladium thin film on a glass slide coated with a self-assembled monolayer, resulting in faster response times and increased sensitivity.
ID physicians and expert general medicine physicians outperform non-expert generalists in treating patients with HIV. Key findings include improved viral load control and increased flu vaccination rates among expert groups.
A study found that damage to the orbital frontal cortex impairs an animal's ability to learn from new cues, leading to slowed neural responses. The researchers discovered a critical role of the OFC in decision-making and learning, with potential implications for treatments of brain injury and trauma.
Scientists discovered that massive underground coalfields, burned during the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event, triggered a period of intense global warming and mass extinction. The new research sheds light on the consequences of current carbon-based fuel consumption.
A study published in Hepatology found that severe sleep apnea is a risk factor for liver damage, independent of body mass index. Patients with severe sleep apnea had higher levels of insulin resistance and fatty liver disease, suggesting a link between obstructive sleep apnea and the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that cosmetic-grade mineral oil is not comedogenic, contradicting previous assumptions. As a result, consumers should look for skin care products labeled as non-comedogenic rather than 'mineral oil-free'.
A study of 225 women undergoing IVF found that side-stream smoking was associated with lower implantation and pregnancy rates compared to non-smoking and mainstream smoking groups. The researchers are calling for women to reduce or prevent exposure to cigarette smoke, especially when trying to conceive.
Researchers study natural products that may prevent certain cancers. Propolis and turmeric, rich in plant polyphenolic compounds, exhibit potent antitumor activities, protecting mice against radiation-induced inflammation and rats against chemotherapy-induced heart muscle damage.
CellCept shows benefits for liver transplant patients, similar to those seen in kidney transplant recipients, with reduced risk of acute rejection and improved kidney function. The treatment also promotes safe steroid-free regimens and reduces liver fibrosis.