A study found that overall hand washing rose from 51% to 83% among hospital staff, with the greatest improvements seen in staff washing hands between patients and after touching contaminated objects. The hygiene campaign aimed to reduce hospital-acquired infections, which pose a serious threat to hospitalized patients.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have designed a new version of factor VIII that doubles its ability to bind with factor IX, potentially reducing costs and immune reactions. The redesigned protein accelerates blood clotting, offering a promising alternative for next-generation hemophilia treatment.
Researchers found that cocaine disrupts normal connections between brain regions, leading to impulsive behaviors. The study used rats with cocaine sensitization, who showed impaired ability to change strategies in a maze.
One-third of nursing home patients with Alzheimer's disease lack correct glasses, causing disorientation and falls. Regular eye exams can prevent this visual impairment, improving overall quality of life.
A recent study found that individuals with obesity and extreme obesity are more likely to experience injuries compared to those with normal weight. Overexertion and falls were the most common causes of non-fatal injuries among obese participants, while underweight individuals reported the fewest injuries.
The report found that children are more likely to live in poverty, have low birthweight, or commit a violent crime. However, the adolescent birth rate has reached a record low, and immunization rates have increased. Additionally, child mortality rates have declined, with fewer deaths among young children.
Two studies using standardized measures found that hospitals improved on 15 of 18 clinical performance measures, but didn't show significant reductions in early deaths from heart attacks and injuries during delivery. The findings suggest that higher levels of adherence with evidence-based guidelines are achievable, but may be somewhat ...
Researchers created transgenic mice overproducing Ab40 and Ab42 to study their roles in AD pathology. The results showed that Ab42 mice accumulated extensive amyloid plaque and neural damage, while Ab40 mice showed little disease pathology. The study provides evidence for the critical role of Ab42 in initiating amyloid deposition.
The first year of marriage marks a significant change in relationships, leading to altered dynamics that influence marijuana use. Husbands are more likely to start or resume smoking if their wives do, while wives' influence on husbands is less pronounced.
Research reveals retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) plays a key role in developing insulin resistance, a primary risk factor for diabetes. Elevated RBP4 levels correlate with the severity of insulin resistance in humans with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
The MIT-Williams team successfully observed the occultation of a star by Charon, Pluto's moon, using multiple telescopes in Chile. The data will help determine Charon's radius and whether it has an atmosphere, with implications for understanding the moon's composition and potential habitability.
A team of scientists from K-State and Brookhaven National Laboratory has developed a compact, high-resolution gamma ray detector that is cheaper to produce than existing devices. The invention, which uses a patented design by McGregor and McNeil, can be used for homeland security purposes, medical imaging, and radiation monitoring.
The study reveals that wintering waterbirds, primarily tufted ducks and coots, deplete mussel populations by over 90% in waters up to 11m deep. This top-down effect has a significant impact on the littoral community, with mussels recovering during summer months.
Researchers at University College London have discovered that mesenchymal stem cells create both muscles and bones in vertebrates, with blurred boundaries between cell groups. This sheds new light on human diseases like Klippel-Feil syndrome, where these regions are often malformed.
Researchers at NIEHS discovered that the beta estrogen receptor plays a significant role in ovarian function, potentially leading to new treatments for infertility. A simple blood test could diagnose genetic mutations affecting the receptor's function, improving treatment options and chances of having a healthy child.
Researchers found M. catarrhalis responsible for 10% of COPD exacerbations, with potential to develop vaccines to prevent infections in patients. The study involved 104 adults with COPD and identified 120 episodes of M. catarrhalis infections associated with flare-ups.
Researchers found that roughly 15% of genes are expressed differently among male salmon of the same species, depending on their life history. The findings suggest that the 'default' life cycle may result from active inhibition of development into a sneaker male.
Researchers found a link between certain benign breast lesions and increased risk of breast cancer, particularly proliferative and atypical types. Women with non-proliferative forms had no increased risk as long as they didn't have a strong family history.
A new study found that high school age children with a healthy weight had favorable lipid profiles, including lower levels of triglycerides and higher ratios of HDL cholesterol. The leanest teens, those with less than 25 percent body fat, had the best lipid/lipoprotein profiles.
Researchers found deficits in trunk and hip strength, hamstring flexibility, and back proprioception in golfers with a history of low-back pain. These findings can inform the development of injury prevention programs and exercise programs for golfers to prevent or rehabilitate low-back injuries.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is providing $1.95 million for a new UC Irvine center to evaluate juvenile and adult prison programs, including rehabilitation and reentry options. The Center for Evidence-Based Corrections will inform policy decisions with scientific evidence.
Researchers found that alendronate, combined with calcium and vitamin D, significantly prevented further bone loss in liver transplant patients for four months after the procedure. After three years, patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis showed improved BMD despite not reaching normal levels.
A study of 3,558 US hospitals found that patients received inadequate care for six quality indicators, with performance varying by region, hospital type, and profit status. Hospitals in the Northeast and Midwest scored higher than those in the West and South, while not-for-profit hospitals outperformed for-profits.
Engineers develop optoelectronic tweezers that can manipulate large numbers of single cells and particles, offering a practical advantage over existing methods. The device uses a photoconductive surface and light-emitting diode to create an electric field for particle manipulation.
A study suggests that implementing three key reforms could transform the Medicare program, including creating an out-of-pocket maximum, paying physicians to submit electronic medical records, and improving care coordination among physicians. This could lead to better treatment, reduced duplicate tests, and improved patient outcomes.
A growing appetite for public reporting of hospital infection rates could lead to improved patient safety and quality of care. UT Southwestern professor Dr. Jane Siegel advocates for standardized reporting systems to track key metrics, but notes that challenges exist due to differences in patient populations and data collection methods.
The newly completed field tests show that the new approach in coupling models can be successful, producing similar temperature and wind outputs globally. The ESMF enables sharing and comparison of alternative scientific approaches from multiple sources, making it easier to develop realistic representations of the Earth as a system.
Astronomers discover a young star with unprecedented amounts of warm dust near its orbit, where Earth-like planets are most likely to exist. The team believes this could be the result of a massive collision between planet-size objects, potentially forming conditions similar to our own solar system.
Research by Jason Walker found that women make more workplace adjustments than men, leading to scheduling conflicts and time pressures. Public and private sector policies can help maintain employees' ties to the paid labour market while allowing care for family members with chronic health problems.