A recent study found that obesity in mice significantly impairs their immune response to influenza infection, leading to a 40% mortality rate compared to lean mice. The research suggests that humans with obesity may also be at increased risk for severe outcomes from influenza.
A new study found no significant difference in outcomes between patients ruled out for pulmonary embolism with MDCT and single-detector CT. However, the increased detection rate of small clots may lead to more unnecessary treatment, increasing risks such as hemorrhagic stroke.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has awarded scholarships to 103 full-time graduate, medical, or postdoctoral students and junior faculty members from underrepresented groups. The recipients will receive stipends to attend the AACR Annual Meeting and present their research papers.
Researchers investigated the effects of temperature-dependent cadmium exposure on oysters, exploring a potential deadly threat from global warming. They also discovered a therapy for cystic fibrosis by rescuing mutant CFTR protein through chaperone competition.
The American College of Physicians recommends a weight loss approach that includes diet and exercise for everyone, with medication or surgery considered only for those who fail to achieve weight loss goals. However, the guidelines also warn about potential side effects and risks associated with surgical procedures.
A new nickel-based alloy with added gadolinium has been verified as safe for the disposal of spent nuclear energy fuel. The alloy can be fabricated in large quantities using conventional techniques and has a higher neutron-absorption capacity than borated stainless steel.
Research found that obese shoppers face subtle interpersonal discrimination in stores, with professionally dressed obese shoppers experiencing less discrimination than average-weight shoppers. The study suggests that by removing justifications for prejudice, manifestations of interpersonal discrimination can be curbed.
The AACR Minority Scholar Awards program aims to increase minority participation in cancer research by providing opportunities for young scientists and clinicians. The program's 20th anniversary is being celebrated with a special session and gala, honoring past award recipients and recognizing the contributions of minority researchers.
Researchers found that chronic gastritis can progress to gastric cancer in mice with abnormally low levels of gastrin. The study identified key genes and molecular changes involved in the development of human gastric cancer.
Cantley's discovery of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) revealed a new lipid produced only when cells are stimulated with growth factors or made cancerous. His work has supported the model that PI3K plays a critical role in many human cancers, and its inhibition is being explored for various diseases.
Research found that children of mothers with preeclampsia have higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure, linked to re-entry altitude sickness and potential long-term health risks. The study suggests new ways to prevent and treat primary pulmonary hypertension.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends a multi-faceted approach to treating obesity, including lifestyle changes, weight-loss drugs, and bariatric surgery. ACP identifies six valid weight-loss drugs, but emphasizes the need for frank discussions about potential side effects and lack of long-term efficacy data.
Researchers have discovered a new role for NKT cells in the liver, which crawl along vessel walls to detect foreign molecules and trigger an immune response. This finding offers a potential new approach to treating hepatitis by manipulating the NKT cell's behavior and reducing inflammation.
Research at Massachusetts General Hospital found that tumor cells use VEGF-A to stimulate growth of new lymphatic vessels, allowing them to spread to lymph nodes more easily. The study's results suggest that targeting this process could be a promising approach for preventing the further spread of metastatic cancer.
A review article highlights the importance of engaging physicians-in-training in community health initiatives to combat issues like obesity, violence, and mental health disorders. The authors emphasize that each community and residency program has unique needs, requiring tailored training models.
Bone SPECT outperforms FDG PET in detecting breast cancer metastases, with a sensitivity of 85% and accuracy of 96%. PET's limitations make it less effective in revealing certain types of lesions.
Researchers at U Iowa have made significant breakthroughs in treating Huntington's disease by reducing protein levels in genetically engineered mice. The study, published in PNAS, demonstrates the effectiveness of RNA interference in improving HD-like symptoms in a mouse model.
Researchers found abnormally low levels of N-acetylaspartate in methamphetamine users, but elevated choline levels in early abstainers, suggesting some degree of normalization over time. The study's findings have important implications for understanding addiction and substance abuse treatment.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new gene therapy technique that uses homologous recombination to replace mutated genes in human immune cells, restoring both gene function and protein production. This approach has shown promising results in treating severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) and may a...
A survey of 580 ethnically diverse Northern California ninth-graders found that teens considered oral sex less risky and socially acceptable than vaginal sex. However, most participants underestimated the risk of sexually transmitted infections due to oral sex.
Researchers have identified potential brain structures responsible for face recognition in individuals with congenital prosopagnosia. Preliminary findings suggest a genetic basis for the condition, which can have socially debilitating consequences if left undetected.
A recent study published in Developmental Cell reveals a crucial molecular pathway involved in the development of precancerous stomach lesions, which could lead to improved diagnosis and prevention strategies. The research, conducted by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists, identified a key player in this signaling pathway as a tran...
A Penn State-led education program has significantly reduced incidents of shaken baby syndrome in western New York, resulting in a 47% decrease in cases. The program, which costs less than $10 per infant, provides critical information to parents at the time of birth and is designed to be implemented with minimal time and resources.
A study of over 1,200 four-year-olds found that excessive TV watching at age four was associated with a 25% increased risk of becoming a bully by age six. Meanwhile, early emotional support and cognitive stimulation showed substantial protective effects against bullying behavior.
Research suggests that individuals with more inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) have a decreased risk of developing cervical cancer. Activation of NK cells is thought to contribute to cancer progression by increasing local inflammation, which has been linked to the development of other types of cancer.
Researchers are creating a chemical guidebook to identify signs of microbial life in Martian rocks. The team, supported by a $900,000 grant, will use advanced mass spectrometer technology and fuzzy logic computer program to analyze spectral images and make decisions about sample selection.
Participants who ate from refilling bowls consumed 73% more soup than those in normal bowls, despite rating themselves as full. The study highlights the dangers of relying on visual cues to gauge food intake and suggests repackaging snacks into small plastic bags to promote healthier eating habits.
A new study published in Nature Medicine shows that infants with Type O blood can accept hearts from donors with Type A blood due to their immature immune system. This breakthrough allows for greater donor compatibility and more successful transplants.
A gene mutation that protects against malaria has been found to increase the risk of aggressive prostate cancer in African-American men. Researchers discovered that mice with this mutation developed larger, more aggressive tumors due to increased angiogenic chemokine production.
Employees share music to portray themselves, but may misread others' musical interests and knowledge. Music sharing builds community within workplaces.
The supplement highlights the need for pediatricians to engage with communities to confront health problems such as obesity, mental health concerns, and violence. Pediatricians are becoming more sensitive to socioeconomic status and child health outcomes, and models for community-based approaches are being developed.
A study found that zinc supplementation improved reaction time, correct answers, and sustained attention in 7th-grade students. However, no significant improvement was seen in motor and social skills. The results suggest that increasing zinc intakes may benefit adolescent mental function, particularly memory.
A high-throughput screening method using automated imaging and bioinformatics has identified a novel compound with promising potential as an anticancer agent. The compound, hydroxy-PP, targets carbonyl reductase 1, an enzyme involved in chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity.
A new 'bionic eye' system aims to restore some degree of sight for people with degenerative retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa. The system, developed by ophthalmologists and physicists, uses a tiny camera and computer processor to directly stimulate the inner retina with visual signals.
A meta-analysis of 20 studies found light therapy to be an effective treatment for SAD and depression, with effects comparable to conventional medications. The study suggests that bright artificial light can help alleviate symptoms of SAD and other non-seasonal mood disorders.
A randomized trial of 240 moderately to severely depressed patients found that cognitive therapy was as effective as antidepressant medication in achieving response and remission. The study supports the idea that cognitive therapy can be a viable treatment option for severe depression, even when provided by experienced therapists.
A study of 316 internet websites found that most government and health advice sites incorrectly state the risks of smokeless tobacco as comparable to cigarettes. This misinformation may encourage smokers to stick with a much more hazardous product, despite available harm reduction options like switching to smokeless tobacco.
A 2002 survey found that over 80% of medical school department chairs struggle to recruit faculty for teaching anatomy, citing research contributions as a major obstacle. However, the pipeline is qualified, and incentives can encourage new faculty members to teach gross anatomy.
A new study found that an atypical antipsychotic drug can prevent brain loss in patients with schizophrenia when started early. The study, led by Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, measured brain volume and cognitive changes in 263 first-episode schizophrenia patients and 58 non-schizophrenic volunteers over a two-year period.
Researchers found that a single gene, glypican-3, plays a significant role in regulating body size in mice. The gene is already known to be associated with a rare human growth disorder, and its expression level correlates with size variation in both humans and mice.
A study found that atypical antipsychotic medication olanzapine reduced gray matter volume less than conventional haloperidol, while healthy volunteers showed no significant changes. These differences were associated with varying improvements in neurocognitive functioning and behavioral pathology.
A new UC study reveals that children inside school buses inhale significantly more exhaust pollutants than those outside, particularly among older buses. The researchers found that for every metric ton of pollution emitted by a school bus, kids on that bus inhale comparable or larger amounts of pollution.
A lab study found that administering male sex hormones to female mice increases their susceptibility to developing abdominal aortic aneurysms. The goal now is to identify the target of these hormones to develop drugs that can lower the incidence of life-threatening aneurysms.
Studies reveal new insights into atherosclerotic vascular dysfunction, satiety regulation, and hypertension treatment. Cranberry juice improves vascular function in patients with high cholesterol, while statins may disrupt hypertension development through cellular calcium modulation.
Scientists discover NKT cells primarily patrol liver blood vessels, showcasing agility and rapid movement. The study reveals surprises about NKT cell behavior, including their ability to survive without the CXCR6 gene.
A recent study reveals that cognitive therapy is as effective as antidepressant medication in treating depression, but with a lasting impact even after treatment concludes. Cognitive therapy equips patients with skills to manage problems and emotions, outperforming medication in preventing relapses over time.
A study analyzing 2002 claims data from two large private health insurers in Washington state found that 83.6% of insured children had any insurance claims, with 6.2% using an alternative professional during the year. CAM use was more likely among children with cancer, low back pain, and adult family members who used CAM.
The symposium discussed the potential of individualized dietary recommendations to optimize health and reduce chronic disease risk. Experts emphasized the need for tailored food choices, new definitions of health, and the application of technology to determine individual nutritional needs.
The AACR-Minorities in Cancer Research-Jane C. Wright Lectureship recognizes outstanding scientists advancing minority investigators in cancer research. Dr. Wright's pioneering work in clinical cancer chemotherapy and leadership in the field have a lasting impact on cancer research.
Researchers at NYU's Center for Comparative Functional Genomics have discovered a complex system of microRNA gene regulation, with individual genes controlling an average of 200 different transcripts. The team developed PicTar, a new algorithm to predict microRNA target sites in the genome, and made several experimental validations.
Scientists have discovered a subset of learning disabilities resulting from a dysfunction in the brainstem's encoding of basic sounds of speech. BioMAP, a simple neurophysiological test, can identify children with sound processing disorders and improve their speech discrimination skills through auditory training.
A new study identifies SERPINE2 as a novel candidate gene for COPD, particularly in individuals who smoke. The research reveals that SERPINE2 is expressed in lung tissues and cells, and its expression is altered in people with certain clinical characteristics of COPD.
A two-week course of fenofibrate treatment has significantly improved whole body glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity in pediatric burn victims, reducing morbidity outcomes and healing rates. The study showed that treating insulin resistance directly can aid recovery from general trauma, illness, or surgery.
Researchers found that short-term stress in mice enhanced their immune reaction to influenza, leading to faster and more successful recovery. This discovery has broad implications for vaccine development, suggesting new strategies could be developed to boost immunity against influenza and potentially other diseases.
Scientists have discovered that elevated estrogen levels can reduce the severity of asthma by preventing abnormal airway constriction. Selective estrogen receptor modifiers (SERMs) also showed similar effects, suggesting a new molecular target for asthma therapy.
Researchers develop Fluorform-Assisted Light Inactivation technology to identify proteins involved in cancer cell spread, targeting HSP90A and CD155 molecules.
Research found that moderate aerobic exercise significantly improves cardiovascular and autonomic profiles in HIV+ subjects, compared to those without HIV. The study suggests that exercise may be a cost-effective supplemental therapy for HIV patients.
Research found that Viagra increased fetal weights to normal values and completely prevented fetal resorption, suggesting beneficial effects on maternal uterine vascular adaptation and fetal health. The study's selective effect on the uteroplacental circulation avoids complications of antihypertensive therapy during pregnancy.
Researchers discovered that adding growth factor EGF to formula reduces NEC incidence by 50% compared to animals fed formula alone. This could be a preventative measure for NEC in human babies.
Researchers have developed a new positive air pressure chamber that enables early upright gait rehabilitation after lower-extremity orthopaedic surgery. The device allows for precise adjustment of air pressure to minimize impact on the patient's joints and facilitate faster healing.