A study of over 153,000 US adults found that only three percent maintain a healthy lifestyle with all four characteristics: nonsmoking, healthy weight, and regular physical activity. Most Americans fail to meet even one of these key habits, highlighting the need for comprehensive prevention activities.
Arteriocyte, a startup company spun out from Case Western Reserve University, is developing a novel stem cell therapy to generate new blood vessels and replace damaged ones in patients with heart disease. The therapy has shown encouraging results in animal studies and plans for patient testing are pending NIH and FDA approval.
Researchers have created an 'egg carton' of light with tiny holes that can contain single atoms, a crucial step towards making quantum computing more practical. The design enables faster computing than traditional chips and has potential applications in fields like astrophysics, genetics, and materials science.
The article argues that a human rights framework can prevent abuse in psychiatric institutions. People with mental disabilities have the right to agency in their own lives and participate as members of society. Adopting this approach can challenge traditional biomedical methods and promote dignity and well-being.
Differences in UV perception allow songbirds to signal with private communication, while chestnut trees go silent during winter due to circadian clock gene regulation. A fungus has an energy-generating mechanism similar to bacteria, enabling it to harness light for proton pumping
A team of researchers from Penn State University has developed a bacteria-driven cell that produces hydrogen for fuel while simultaneously cleaning wastewater. The innovation utilizes a microbial fuel cell to harness the power of microorganisms to generate electricity and purify water.
Researchers discovered defects in astrocytes, crucial support cells for brain health, in a patient with vanishing white matter disease. The study sheds light on the disease's mechanisms and may lead to treatment development.
Researchers at the University of Southern California found that sapphire surfaces can self-arrange carbon nanotubes into useful patterns. This phenomenon occurs only on specific surfaces, particularly vertical slices with certain crystalline orientations.
Brown University has been awarded a four-year, $11.5-million grant to conduct research on hazardous waste and develop tools to remove it. The project aims to identify health threats posed by contaminated sites and create safe remediation devices.
A study by Belfast researchers found that oxygen levels dropped by an average of 4% at cruising altitude, affecting passengers across all age groups. The findings highlight the need for further research into the physiological effects of air travel on health.
A study of 11,800 adults found that genetic screening for haemochromatosis was well-received by participants, with low anxiety levels and no discrimination from insurance companies. The authors argue that the benefits of screening outweigh the risks, making it a cost-effective option for preventing iron accumulation.
A study by Matthew Powell found that brachiopods living near the equator suffered high extinction rates during the late Paleozoic ice age, while those living at higher latitudes were more resilient. The research suggests that human-induced environmental changes may be causing modern marine species to become extinct.
Georgetown University is helping create a national cancer biomedical informatics grid to link research centers in real time, sharing data and results more rapidly. The $20 million grant aims to improve cancer research and treatment through the adoption of common research tools.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a new method to transform human neural stem cells into insulin-producing cells. The breakthrough could potentially lead to new ways of transplanting insulin-producing cells into people with diabetes and provide a cure for the disease.
A study suggests that CABG surgery may cause mild and transient cognitive changes in some patients, but these effects do not persist beyond three months. The authors argue that the procedure is improving and that the population undergoing surgery is becoming older and sicker, which may contribute to the observed cognitive deficits.
The study identifies the BptA protein as essential for Borrelia burgdorfei's survival in ticks and potentially offers a new target for Lyme disease eradication. Without this protein, bacteria were unable to utilize blood from tick feeding, resulting in a significant decrease in bacterial levels.
Researchers discovered a new species of coral-reef pygmy goby that lives for just 59 days, with daily mortality rates as high as 8%. The tiny fish lays only three clutches of eggs in its lifetime, contributing to the complex and hectic life cycle of reef fish.
Researchers at Stanford University have successfully differentiated human neural progenitor cells into insulin-producing cells that can respond to glucose. These cells were then transplanted into immunocompromised mice and produced human insulin when stimulated by glucose, paving the way for potential treatment of type I diabetes.
Researchers at Ohio State will develop a new radar instrument to peer beneath earth's ice cover and analyze how ice accumulates. The project aims to understand the impact of melting ice on global sea levels and temperature regulation.
Researchers discovered that yellow-beaked cleaner shrimp perform a specialized dance, the 'rocking dance,' to attract hungry client fish. This signaling allows both species to benefit from non-predatory cleaning interactions.
K-State professor Chris Culbertson is working with NASA to develop microfluidic devices that can monitor astronaut health remotely. These devices use miniaturized chemical analysis instrumentation to analyze DNA mutation rates in cells on orbit.
A head-to-head retrospective analysis of 18,000 elderly patients with AMI found that five commonly prescribed statins were equally effective for secondary prevention. The study highlights the need to consider costs when selecting statins.
A randomized trial in Uganda found a six-dose regimen of co-artemether significantly reduced gametocyte levels and mosquito infectivity. However, limitations include patient compliance and absorption issues.
A study found that combining carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries increases the risk of post-operative stroke by 6.8%, compared to 1.8% in CABG alone. Experts believe further randomized trials are necessary to assess the appropriateness of this combined procedure.
Research using mitochondrial DNA identified two distinct populations in Algeria and Morocco as founders of the Gibraltar macaque population. The study found that the Gibraltar macaques retained a surprisingly high level of genetic variability despite long-term isolation.
A third of babies born each year are unregistered, lacking legal rights to healthcare and education. Universal birth registration is key to collecting data on health inequalities and promoting equity.
Researchers developed a risk score based on age, sex, smoking, and obesity to identify young people with advanced atherosclerotic lesions. The study found that high-risk adolescents and young adults can benefit from targeted advice and lifestyle changes to reduce their long-term cardiovascular disease risk.
The Entamoeba mitosome, a human parasite's organelle, contains a single type of protein that imports and exports chemicals. This streamlined organelle may represent the simplest mitochondrion yet described, offering insights into eukaryotic cell function.
Researchers found a pathway for cells to turn on genes and respond to singlet oxygen, a highly reactive substance that destroys biological molecules. This discovery could lead to modified plants with enhanced crop yields and improved bioenergy sources.
Scientists have discovered a humanized monoclonal antibody that can boost survival rates of infected mice to 90% or higher. The antibody, produced by Macrogenics Inc., has potential utility against other infectious diseases and could help develop new treatments for related viruses like dengue fever.
A new gene therapy approach has shown promising results in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease by reducing cognitive decline. The therapy, which involves delivering nerve growth factor to the brain, demonstrated significant improvements in patients' mental status and brain activity.
Researchers have developed an infection-fighting antibody that successfully cures disease in mice infected with West Nile virus, even when the virus had entered their brains. The monoclonal antibody was several hundred times more potent than natural antibodies and completely protected mice against death.
A study led by Professor Jonathan Side found that researchers can work with fishermen to identify future research priorities, particularly on lobster stock enhancement. Despite challenges, the fishing community expressed willingness to participate in research, but lacked organisational capacity and trust in science.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can detect tumors using standard MRI equipment, allowing for earlier diagnosis. The particles can also deliver cancer-fighting drugs directly to malignant tumors, promising more effective treatment options.
Research finds that high cyclosporine levels are associated with increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver transplantation. The study suggests tailoring immunosuppressive schedules to individual patients based on their tumor biology, and recommends minimizing exposure to cyclosporine to prevent recurrence.
A new sensor system combining flame photometer, ion mobility spectrometer and surface acoustic wave array detects chemical vapors with high accuracy. The PSU-developed CINET software reduces false alarms by correlating data from multiple detectors.
A new study using microarray technology has identified genes that distinguish between non-metastatic and highly metastatic breast cancer tumors. The research, led by Dr. David Tarin, used cell lines with varying capabilities to spread to distant organs and found that several genes were altered in expression patterns between the two typ...
A research team from the Max Planck Institute for Metals Research and ESRF observes temporal structural fluctuations on an atomic scale in a crystalline material. The discovery sheds light on how materials respond to external perturbations like changes in temperature, pressure, magnetic or electric fields.
A new microbial fuel cell process can produce high yields of hydrogen from biodegradable organic matter in wastewater. This technology uses a small amount of electricity to boost bacterial fermentation, overcoming the 'fermentation barrier' and producing clean hydrogen gas while simultaneously cleaning the wastewater.
Scientists have identified solar wind flowing from funnel-shaped magnetic fields in the Sun's corona, originating in coronal funnels with a speed of about 10 km/s. This discovery improves our understanding of the solar wind's magnetic nature and source region.
Researchers at NIST have developed chip-scale refrigerators capable of reaching temperatures as low as 100 milliKelvin, enabling cooling of bulk objects. The solid-state refrigerators have applications in semiconductor defect analysis and astronomical research.
The May-June GSA Bulletin issue explores phosphogenesis and organic-carbon preservation in the Miocene Monterey Formation at Naples Beach, California. Researchers propose a corollary to the Monterey hypothesis suggesting major sinks of organic matter are located in continental sediments.
Researchers found a significant decrease in spina bifida and anencephaly rates in Chile between 2001-2002, following folic acid fortification. The study suggests that the fortification is responsible for the decline, as similar trends were observed in other countries with folic acid fortification.
NIST's special test arena is used to train bomb and drug sniffing dogs as well as robotic rescue systems. The arenas provide a challenging environment for dogs to find hidden explosives or narcotics, while robotics experts observe police techniques.
A recent international study found that Canadian youth were among the heaviest in the world, ranking 4th for obesity and 5th for overweight. Sedentary behavior was strongly correlated with being overweight, while candy consumption surprisingly showed a decrease in likelihood of being overweight.
The May GEOLOGY media highlights featured articles on the preservation of a unique coal-bearing succession in the Pennsylvanian Joggins Formation and the role of evaporite withdrawal. Seismic profiles also showed that layers of salt were able to flow and rise to the surface, leading to subsidence and preservation. Additionally, researc...
A study by University of Florida researchers found that genetic variations can determine how well heart failure patients tolerate beta-blockers. The findings suggest that personalized therapy based on genetic makeup could lead to safer and more effective treatments.
Researchers found that rat fetuses exposed to a high-carbohydrate diet in utero developed increased insulin levels, appetite stimulation, and obesity. The study suggests that such malprogramming could be interrupted if the mother's weight and insulin levels are normalized before pregnancy.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that only about one-quarter of teen check-ups included diet and exercise discussions, while skin cancer was the least likely topic. The study also revealed low rates of counseling on HIV and family planning, with only about 5% of visits addressing these topics.
A decline in winter and spring snow cover over Southwest Asia and the Himalayan mountain range creates conditions for widespread blooms of ocean plants in the Arabian Sea. This is due to increased temperature and pressure differences between the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Sea, leading to monsoon winds that mix the ocean water.
Researchers at UTMB developed a method called PMCA to produce infectious prions in test tubes, causing TSE symptoms in healthy hamsters. The breakthrough confirms the prion hypothesis and opens doors for new surveillance techniques and blood tests for mad cow disease.
Scientists have made significant progress in understanding how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, including macrolides and lincosamides. The study revealed new details about the structural basis of drug resistance and identified potential targets for developing new hybrid antibiotics.
Researchers used brain imaging to map abnormalities in living patients with Williams syndrome, showing exceptional language skills. The findings shed light on the genetic control of human cortex development and help predict the syndrome's progression.
Scientists from Bristol, The Open and Sheffield Universities have dated the engravings at Creswell Crags to over 12,800 years old, making them Britain's oldest rock art. The dating method used uranium-series dating, which measures minute traces of radioactive uranium in thin limestone crusts that formed over the engravings.
A new study published in Geology estimates the maximum possible earthquake magnitude in the San Fernando and Northridge areas of Los Angeles County. The researchers used paleomagnetism to analyze sediments and found that the crust is broken into blocks, limiting the maximum earthquake magnitude to around 6.8.
Scientists at NIST report that flow properties of alternative solvents called ionic liquids are extremely sensitive to tiny amounts of water. The finding could help design new industrial processes that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Researchers identified molecular and behavioral changes in mice with a faulty circadian system, which can lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome. The study suggests that misregulated genes in various tissues cause metabolic changes, leading to weight gain and related disorders.
Women with active epilepsy can have a healthy child if they continue treatment, but the risk of birth defects varies depending on the medication. The importance of individualized counseling and maintaining seizure control is emphasized to balance treatment effectiveness and potential risks.
The study found that standardized processes and commercially manufactured microarrays lead to more consistent results. This standardization can improve clinical practice, including personalized medical treatments for diseases like breast cancer.
Virtual colonoscopy is effective in detecting large colorectal polyps and masses, but is less sensitive for smaller ones. The review found no direct evidence on the effect of screening methods on cancer incidence or death prevention.