A new study published in the Journal of Cardiac Surgery found that older patients who receive a heart transplant fare just as well as younger counterparts, even many years after surgery. The study showed no statistically significant differences between heart transplant recipients aged over 60 and those under 60.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that older doctors are less likely to follow current medical standards, with declining performance over time. The findings suggest that quality improvement interventions targeting all physicians, including those who have trained recently, may be necessary to update knowledge and tools.
Researchers used tree-ring data to reconstruct years of low river flows in the Columbia River Basin back 250 years, revealing six multiyear droughts that were much more severe than anything in recent memory. These droughts persisted for years, including one that lasted 12 years.
Researchers found that women with primary hypothyroidism had a 61 percent lower risk of developing invasive breast cancer and those newly diagnosed were 57 percent less likely to have the condition. Women with both conditions tended to be older when diagnosed with a less aggressive, indolent disease.
A Swedish study of 102 postmenopausal women found that moderate wine consumption was associated with increased heart rate variability, a marker of good cardiovascular health. The researchers suggest that the favourable effects on heart rate variability may be one reason why wine protects against coronary heart disease.
Researchers discovered that prostaglandin PGD2 has protective effects in the brain, potentially outweighing its negative consequences. The study suggests that targeting this prostaglandin may lead to new therapeutic approaches for conditions involving brain damage, such as stroke and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that some strains of Pfiesteria are toxic and can kill fish with minimal exposure. They also developed more sensitive tests to detect the toxin, which is produced by Pfiesteria cells even without bacteria.
The study found that sustained quitters had nearly half the overall death rate of those who continued to smoke. Death rates were also lower for coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease, and less than half for lung cancer compared to smokers.
Researchers found that UTI-causing E.coli strains matched genetically with bacteria from cows and are resistant to antibiotics. The discovery has major public health implications due to the practice of administering subtherapeutic antibiotic doses in animals.
Research reveals that Ebola viruses can spread from wild animals to humans through handling or consuming animal carcasses. This finding emphasizes the need for improved awareness and monitoring of wildlife in Central Africa to prevent future outbreaks.
A UCLA study found that 29% of pharmaceutical ads in American medical journals offer no references to support medical claims, while 84% of referenced documents are accessible. The majority of original research cited in ads was sponsored by pharmaceutical companies.
Researchers propose that insects close off their respiratory systems to lower internal oxygen concentration and prevent oxidative damage. Insects like grasshoppers and moths regulate oxygen levels by controlling breathing patterns, which can impact aging and pesticide use.
A study in Senegal found that migrants' social context influences their sexual behavior and risk of HIV transmission. In rural areas, strict social control and religion may encourage migrants to adopt safer sex practices upon return. The study suggests that migration is not a major contributor to HIV spread in Senegal.
A study found that women with primary hypothyroidism had a 61% lower risk of developing invasive breast cancer. Women with breast cancer were also less likely to have hypothyroidism compared to healthy women, and those with the condition were diagnosed with earlier stage disease.
Researchers have discovered new alkaloids with antiparasitic properties, which showed efficacy in treating visceral leishmaniasis. These quinoline compounds also exhibited activity against HIV-1 and HTLV-1 retroviruses, offering potential for new treatments.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified a new mechanism by which cancerous cell growth occurs, revealing that Skp2 degrades FOXO1, a tumor suppressor. This degradation abolishes FOXO1's ability to suppress tumors and can be reversed using chemicals that inhibit protein destruction.
A team of 138 undergraduate students, led by HHMI professor Banerjee, identified essential genes in eye formation using a novel genetic method. The students created flies with specific mutations, allowing them to study the impact of these mutations on the eye.
A new study of 5,887 middle-aged smokers found that those who quit smoking had a significantly lower death rate than those who continued to smoke. The annual death rates for quitters were 6.0 per 1000 patients compared to 11.0 in non-quitters, showing a 46% reduction.
A report by the British Cardiac Society highlights the challenges women face in pursuing careers in cardiology due to long hours, lack of flexible training, and sexism. The specialty is losing talented female applicants, with only 9% of those applying for specialist registrar posts being women.
Dietmar Kueltz's team discovered genetic switches that enable certain fish to thrive in both freshwater and saltwater environments. These switches, involving transcription factors, allow the fish to resist stress and potentially survive other environmental challenges like climate change.
Computer-based brief interventions using elements like feedback, empathy, and personal responsibility can effectively reduce drinking. Programs such as Drinker's Check-up, e-CHUG, and MyStudentBody.com show promising results in reducing heavy drinking and negative consequences.
Researchers analyzed six mushroom varieties and plum/prune products for their carbohydrate profiles, revealing high levels of dietary fibers, oligosaccharides, and nutrients. Cooking increased starch, total dietary fibers, and fat content in mushrooms, while raw forms retained higher levels of chitin and beta-glucan.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that uric acid treatment can prevent inflammation and some damage in mice with spinal cord injuries. Uric acid protected spinal cord neurons from peroxynitrite-related damage, allowing mice to recover motor function faster and to a greater extent than those treated with saline.
A recent study by Sergei Sokol and colleagues reveals that the Wnt signalling protein Dishevelled (Dsh) has a critical role in the nucleus to respond to certain Wnt signals. In contrast, nuclear localisation is not required for its function in non-canonical signaling pathways.
A Rutgers College of Nursing faculty member is developing an interactive computerized decision support system to deliver culturally relevant HIV health promotion messages. The system will use video vignettes to promote safer sexual practices and assess HIV risk behaviors.
Researchers discover how hepatitis C virus (HCV) replicates unchecked despite the presence of immune defenses triggered by the RIG-I protein. HCV produces a viral protease that disrupts the signaling pathway, allowing it to continue replication. Protease inhibitors show promise in treating HCV and possibly other viral infections
A meta-analysis of 19 randomized trials found COX-2 inhibitors significantly associated with blood pressure elevation compared to NSAIDs and placebos. This increased risk may be clinically significant for patients at elevated cardiovascular risk, particularly in the elderly population.
Researchers developed a conformation-dependent immunoassay (CDI) that detects prions in human brain tissue, outperforming standard immunological methods. CDI detected abnormal prions in all sampled brain regions, suggesting its potential for accurate diagnosis of prion diseases like CJD.
Researchers developed a treatment using a neuroprosthesis that stimulates muscles with electrical pulses, enabling stroke patients to reconnect damaged neuronal connections and restore hand function. After 16 weeks of training, 85% of the treatment group showed progress in reaching and grasping functions.
Researchers found couples to be highly similar on attitudes and values, but little to no similarity on personality traits. Personality similarity plays a significant role in marital satisfaction, whereas attitude similarity does not.
Researchers identify 22 new human-specific genes, including RanBP2, which evolved unique functions through gene duplication and domain acquisition. The study reveals a key role for gene duplication in evolution and sheds light on species specificity.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a stem cell therapy that improves motor function and sensory function below spinal injury levels. The treatment inhibits the development of astrocytes, which stimulate pain axon growth, allowing for greater production of oligodendrocytes and myelin-coated nerve fibers.
A study by the University of Cincinnati found that morbidly obese adults incur significantly higher medical expenditures, with excess costs attributed to increased visits to doctors, hospital care, and prescription drugs. The researchers estimate that $56 billion in US healthcare expenditures in 2000 were linked to excess body weight, ...
UCLA researchers develop gene therapy approach using modified HIV to target P-glycoproteins on cancer cells, minimizing side effects and maximizing therapeutic effectiveness. The method shows promise for controlling cancer and other diseases.
A large US study confirms that prior caesarean section does not increase the risk of future stillbirth. The research used a massive dataset of over 250,000 patients and found no association between prior caesarean delivery and increased risk of stillbirth.
The BIOS Initiative provides a new licensing mechanism that encourages sharing of core tools of innovation, empowering researchers worldwide. The launch of BioForge, an online collaborative research platform, enables scientists to work together to craft new technologies within a protected commons.
A Dutch researcher has developed a computer program that can play the ancient board game of Go on a 5x5 playing board, as well as larger boards up to 6x6 rows. The program uses both search and learning techniques to analyze games and predict strong positions, life and death, and potential territory.
A study by University of Colorado researchers found that rats with controlled stress exhibit reduced brainstem activation and behaviors similar to depression and anxiety. The prefrontal cortex sends inhibitory signals to the brainstem when stress is controllable, quelling alarm center activity.
Researchers have discovered that ancient Chinese craftsmen used diamond to polish sapphire-rich stones around 2500 BC, creating a mirror-like luster on the axes. The find sheds new light on the origins of Neolithic artifacts in China and challenges current understanding of prehistoric polishing techniques.
A recent NIST report found that automatic sprinkler systems significantly reduce the risk of fatal temperatures and toxic gases in dormitories. In experiments with and without sprinklers, researchers observed a major difference in temperature levels and gas spread, highlighting the importance of fire safety measures in college housing.
Researchers found a way to convert hydrogen into water using an oxygen sponge, allowing the reaction to continue until most of the starting materials are used up. This new process reduces the amount of energy needed for separation and makes the product less contaminated.
Parents can significantly boost their credibility in drug talks with teens by offering personal examples of how drugs affected them or their loved ones. Regular communication and ongoing socialization efforts are key to helping teens make healthy lifestyle choices, including avoiding peer pressure and drinking safely.
A study found that induction at 32 weeks pregnancy can significantly lower infections in both mom and baby, as well as shorten hospital stay for newborns. This approach may be a viable option for women with prolonged premature membrane rupture to minimize potential infection risks.
A meticulous diary kept by a mother of twins has revealed indicators of autistic behaviour in children as young as six months of age. Children with autism develop normally for six months, then begin developing atypically, according to research published in Neurocase.
Researchers used HurryDate speed dating events to study human mating behavior, finding that physical appearance and personality traits dominate decision-making. Contrary to expectations, financial factors like income and education played a negligible role in attraction.
A thermodynamic approach was used to investigate biomass gasification, resulting in a more efficient process. The study found that roasted biomass is more suitable for gasification than untreated biomass, with improved properties for efficiency.
A large-scale trial is underway to test two topical microbicides, PRO 2000 and BufferGel, for preventing HIV and other STIs. The study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of these microbicides, which could provide a valuable woman-controlled means of slowing the pace of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
In strongly fragmented areas, Lychnis caterpillars consumed more white campion seeds due to increased egg laying. This was found by Jelmer Elzinga, contradicting the initial hypothesis that decreased ichneumon fly populations would lead to reduced consumption.
Researchers found four distinct regions in the human progesterone receptor gene that influence hormone responsiveness. These findings challenge the long-held model of estrogen receptor binding and transcription regulation, suggesting a more complex and tissue-specific process.
Researchers used transferrin protein to attach medicines to iron-containing proteins, allowing them to pass through the blood-brain barrier. This technique enables larger molecules to reach the brain, opening up new possibilities for treating brain diseases.
Researchers found that growing black holes release energy that regulates galaxy evolution and black hole growth, matching observed relationships between black hole size and galaxy mass. The simulations also show that smaller galaxies have less gas to form stars, while larger galaxies produce more.
Researchers found that leg growth occurs primarily when lambs are at rest, potentially explaining growing pains in children. The study provides valuable new data on bone growth spurts and suggests that pressure on growth plates may be eased during rest, allowing bones to elongate.
A new study suggests that ingestion of afterbirth may modify specific opioid-receptor systems in the brain, facilitating the onset of maternal behavior. The research, led by UB professor Mark Kristal, aims to determine how endogenous opioid activation during pregnancy and delivery influences maternal behavior.
Researchers found that people rapidly categorize objects before they identify them, contradicting the long-held assumption that object recognition begins with categorization. This built-in process enables fast and efficient visual perception, facilitating survival and interaction with the environment.
Carnegie Mellon University is partnering with United Defense to develop a semi-autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (TUGV) for the US Marine Corps. The Gladiator TUGV will provide remote scouting, reconnaissance, and surveillance capabilities to increase human survival and reduce risk.
Physicists' theories on the top quark and weak nuclear force are challenged by a new measurement. The study suggests that the top quark is left-handed, contradicting previous theories linking it to the weak force.
A novel mosquito control strategy using Mesocyclops crustaceans has proven effective in eradicating Aedes aegypti and reducing dengue fever cases in Vietnam. The approach involves inoculating large water storage containers with the crustaceans, targeting areas with high mosquito larva production.
Researchers found that older male nonhuman primates' spatial memory declines at a greater rate than females, suggesting sex differences in age-related cognitive decline. The study aims to investigate factors contributing to these differences and potentially inform the development of sex-specific therapies.
The Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center will offer advanced cardiac care with a range of treatment options and expanded access to clinical trials. Construction is set to begin in 2009, with plans for the new facility including diagnostic and treatment areas, office space, and 16-20 examination rooms.
Researchers have discovered a new gene cluster, Rhox genes, selectively expressed in male and female reproductive tissues in adult mice. The cluster's unique expression pattern suggests its role in regulating reproduction and potentially developing new contraceptive methods.