Regular cardiovascular follow-up visits with a specialist significantly improve outcomes for heart failure patients, reducing emergency room visits and mortality rates. Access to specialty care is particularly important for elderly and rural patients, who often face barriers to timely treatment.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports a decline in reconstructive procedures due to insurance companies excluding coverage for procedures like skin lesion removals and breast reduction. This leaves patients with limited options, forcing them to choose between affording necessary procedures or living with painful medical conditions.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have successfully created an artificial version of mother of pearl, a naturally occurring compound that is several times stronger than nylon. By layering molecules on top of each other, scientists can engineer the mechanical properties of the material to suit specific applications.
The University of Ulster team found significantly increased levels of stress on two fault zones in Indonesia, including the Sunda trench and Sumatra fault. The analysis suggests a high risk of another earthquake, potentially triggering another tsunami.
Researchers found that leptin regulates blood sugar through two brain-body pathways, one controlling appetite and fat storage, and another influencing liver glucose reserves. The study suggests that disrupting both pathways may be necessary for developing full-blown diabetes.
A recent study published in Nature found that genes on the inactive X chromosome can escape inactivation and be expressed in females, leading to a stronger overall concentration of particular genes. This discovery could explain some of the differences between men and women that aren't attributable to sex hormones.
Researchers identified a dozen potential facilities worldwide that could manufacture flu vaccines in emergency situations. Cell-based vaccines have the potential to reduce production time and improve flexibility compared to traditional egg culture methods.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that extracts from the dotted dalea and Mojave dalea plants can kill parasites responsible for leishmaniasis and African sleeping sickness. The findings offer hope for developing cheap, oral treatments for these deadly diseases.
A preliminary engineering study at Georgia Institute of Technology and Rice University investigated the potential environmental impact of nanomaterial waste. The researchers found that fullerenes, a carbon-based nanomaterial, can form aggregates in water, affecting particle size and transport.
In West Papua, patients often initially choose indigenous treatments for illnesses, but switch to biomedical options if they don't work. After initial failure, individuals focus on finding the cause of their illness, attributing it to factors like ancestral spirits, magic, or biological responses.
Recent Martian glaciers and volcanoes suggest ice-rich movement and climate change, with evidence of a major eruption over 350,000 years ago. This new research challenges the traditional view of Mars' geological history and provides fresh insights into the planet's dynamic evolution.
Research reveals that mice lacking TAF4b initially exhibit fertility but later become infertile due to progressive loss of maturing germ cells. The study's findings highlight the crucial role of TAF4b in sperm production and may have implications for human male fertility.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported a strong increase in cosmetic surgery procedures in 2004, with over 1.7 million surgical and minimally-invasive procedures performed. The demand for injectables like Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers drove growth in minimally-invasive procedures.
A survey of Iraqi teens found a correlation between high self-esteem and perceptions of danger, challenging traditional views on young children's responses to war. The study, led by Steve Carlton-Ford, reveals that groups with higher status in their communities exhibit the strongest self-esteem and perceived threat.
Researchers have sequenced the complete DNA sequence of the human X chromosome, confirming 1,098 protein-coding genes. The study found that the X chromosome holds a prominent place in studying human disease, with over 300 diseases mapped to it, including Mendelian disorders like red-green color blindness and hemophilia.
Researchers found unique patterns of gene expression on women's X chromosomes, with 15% of genes escaping inactivation. This variation can affect sex-specific traits and health outcomes, highlighting key differences between male and female genomes.
Researchers at Duke University are using advanced atomic force microscopy techniques to study the interactions of individual amyloid protein molecules, which may hold key to preventing plaque formation. The goal is to develop a better understanding of amyloid aggregation and its role in neurodegenerative diseases.
A new UK survey found that 947 people use cannabis for medical purposes, with 68% reporting improved symptoms. Younger people and those with chronic pain were more likely to use it for medicinal reasons.
Researchers discovered RNA loops and knots play a crucial role in A-to-I RNA recoding, enabling species-specific editing of proteins. By understanding these molecular structures, scientists can gain insights into the genetic code and improve our ability to interpret genome information.
Researchers at NYU studied the body's response to viral encephalitis and found that neurons are sensitive to protective effects of type I interferons. Interferons induce pathways to fight the virus' spread but can be ineffective in certain stages, leaving infected neurons vulnerable.
Research reveals employees with diabetes can be valuable workers in a favorable environment. The burden of fatigue is largely determined by the individual's self-management capabilities and outlook on their disease and work situation.
Cosmologists propose that the universe's acceleration can be explained by inflationary theory, which generates cosmic ripples that drive expansion. This solution relies on Einstein's General Relativity and doesn't require new ingredients like dark energy.
A recent brain imaging study found that individuals at high risk for schizophrenia show altered neural activity in the prefrontal cortex, suggesting biological changes prior to disease onset. The study used fMRI scans to identify potential biomarkers of vulnerability, which could aid in early intervention and treatment.
A recent study has shed new light on the production of green paint used in old master paintings. Researchers found that the paint was created by mixing finely-powdered verdigris with a cold oil or vanish, rather than dissolving the pigment in warm varnish to produce copper resinate.
The LCG project has united scientific organizations worldwide to create a massive computing infrastructure, enabling record-breaking data transfer and processing. The Grid will continue to grow rapidly over the next two years to meet the ambitious computing needs of the LHC.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that Hispanic Americans performed over half a million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in 2004, up 49% from 2000. The most commonly requested procedures were nose reshaping, breast augmentation, and liposuction.
A study of over 13,700 US school students found that those involved in substance use, delinquency, and school problems were at high risk for continued marijuana use. The study identified five stages of marijuana involvement and recommended targeting these areas for prevention efforts.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new, more efficient catalyst to produce hydrogen from coal. The catalyst outperforms a commercially available alternative by up to 25 percent and shows promise for large-scale coal gasification.
The Mt. Everest team, comprising anaesthesia and intensive care experts, aims to study human physiology in extreme environments by testing a closed-circuit breathing system and investigating the effects of hypoxia on brain function and genetics. The expedition seeks to understand acclimatization at the very limit.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new class of carbon nanotubes with improved performance and lower production costs. These few-walled nanotubes exhibit electronic properties comparable to those of single-walled nanotubes but are easier to manufacture and less expensive.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, massive weight loss patients are driving growth in body contouring procedures. The demand for these procedures has increased by 77% since 2000, with lower body lifts seeing a significant surge of 72% between 2003 and 2004.
Researchers found that endothelial cells produce C-reactive protein, initiating plaque formation. High levels of C-reactive protein can lead to cardiovascular events, but reducing its concentration with targeted drugs may help.
A team of researchers has found evidence of dark energy in the universe's cosmic neighborhood, with billions of galaxies emerging from a sea of dark energy. The findings provide supporting evidence for the presence of dark energy, which is causing the universe to accelerate in expansion.
A recent study suggests that obesity may be overestimating Social Security forecasts, with a potential decline in life expectancy of four to nine months. The researchers attribute this effect to the growing obesity epidemic, particularly among children and teenagers, which could lead to increased mortality rates and healthcare costs.
A new image search technique developed by Mirela Tanase recognizes visual patterns and significantly increases the number of correctly identified objects in a search. The method provides a useful addition to existing methods, such as MPEG7, and can improve image recognition rates in certain cases.
A study found that long-term vitamin E supplementation had no clear impact on fatal and nonfatal cancers, major cardiovascular events, or deaths. However, the daily administration of natural source vitamin E increased the risk of heart failure.
Researchers dust off dusty shelf by applying Hanbury Brown-Twiss Interferometry to high-energy gold nucleus collisions, reconciling experimental data with theoretical expectations. They found that pions in the plasma have a low mass inside but a higher mass outside, helping create quark-gluon plasma conditions similar to those just aft...
A recent study found that advancements in radiation techniques have greatly reduced the risk of cardiac death after radiation therapy for breast cancer. Women with left-sided breast cancer had a higher mortality rate from ischemic heart disease compared to those with right-sided breast cancer, but this difference decreased over time.
A national study of cancer patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation reveals long-term quality of life issues persist for decades. Cancer survivors report lingering sleep, sexual problems, pain, cognitive decline, and poor physical well-being compared to healthy peers.
A comprehensive plan has been developed by Virginia Tech to minimize losses from Soybean Rust, a disease that severely affected Brazilian soybeans. The plan includes educational programs and a monitoring system to identify the disease, as well as guidelines for scouting and treating infected fields.
The American Chemical Society has recognized Schering-Plough's unique contribution to the ACS Scholars Program, providing grants of $50,000 to support 20 freshmen students each year. The program has awarded $8 million in scholarships to nearly 1,500 talented minority students with financial need since its inception.
Olah's work on hydrocarbon chemistry led to improvements in lead-free gasoline, cleaner fuels, and insights into chemical processes used in pharmaceutical and industrial chemistry. He also developed a new, highly efficient fuel cell and has guided over 200 research associates throughout his distinguished career.
The US exports nitrogen pollution beyond its borders, with most deposits found near their sources. The study estimates that the US loses track of nearly 6 million metric tons of nitrogen emissions each year, which are possibly transported to Western Europe.
The study found that Twist1 and Hand2 proteins couple to determine the number of digits on a hand, paw or wing, and whether these digits are webbed or not. Additionally, the researchers identified high-frequency mutations in patients with Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome, which may lead to cardiac and placental tissue defects.
A team of researchers has identified 219 chemicals that affect plant growth due to gravity, leading to a better understanding of protein transportation and genetic signaling in plant cellular membranes. The discovery uses chemical genomics to study the link between endomembrane system components and gravitropic response.
The National Centre for Text Mining provides a groundbreaking service for the academic community, utilizing natural language processing and data mining to uncover hidden patterns and associations. This innovative approach has already shown promise in fields like drug discovery and predictive toxicology.
A recent study published in Management Science suggests that the internet may not lead to lower prices for consumers, contradicting common assumptions. The researchers found that businesses have no incentive to undercut their rivals due to easy price monitoring on the web.
A study found that 19.8% of European home care elderly patients used at least one potentially inappropriate medication, with regional variations and associations with factors like polypharmacy and depression. Differences between Eastern and Western Europe highlight the need for targeted interventions.
A recent study published by Harvard researchers found that consuming acrylamide through diet does not increase the risk of breast cancer in women. The study, which analyzed data from over 43,000 participants, also showed no association between acrylamide intake and an increased risk of other cancers.
A survey of hospital executives found that most believed mandatory reporting systems would discourage internal reporting and lead to lawsuits, despite potential benefits for patient safety. Hospital leaders also expressed reluctance to report minor incidents, even when they would inform affected patients or families.
The Society for Adolescent Medicine advocates for adolescents to receive extended protection against pertussis. Adding a pertussis component to the current tetanus-diphtheria booster vaccine could help prevent this disease in teens and reduce transmission to infants.
Researchers have discovered that a compound called HPMC, commonly used as an additive in foods and drugs, may help prevent diabetes in people who frequently consume high-fat fast foods. The compound works by regulating metabolic genes and slowing down the absorption of fats, potentially reducing the risk of developing insulin resistance.
Scientists have identified over 20,000 uniquely 'fetch-limited barrier islands' along coastlines worldwide. These islands differ from classic ocean-fronting barriers in their wind- and wave-shielded settings and tend to be smaller with average lengths ranging from 1 kilometer.
The FDA Advisory Committee has unanimously recommended approval of Boostrix, a vaccine candidate against pertussis, for use in adolescents. The vaccine showed comparable safety and immunogenicity to a U.S.-licensed Td vaccine, with higher anti-pertussis antibody levels in adolescents than in infants.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have engineered over 300 new chemical penetration enhancers (CPEs) to improve the safety and efficacy of topical drug delivery. The new CPEs were designed using computer-aided modeling, allowing for the prediction of skin penetrability and potential irritation.
Dendrimers have shown promise for precisely delivering drugs to their targets inside the body, but high concentrations can be toxic. Researchers discovered that engineering dendrimers in particular ways can prevent this damage and make them better at what they do.
Researchers found that black high-risk patients were more likely to receive older treatments and less likely to receive newer drugs, including glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and clopidogrel. Despite these disparities, short-term outcomes did not differ significantly between blacks and whites.
Research by Virginia Tech finds pasture-fed beef has less fat and higher conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid beneficial for human health. The study's goal is to develop efficient, profitable, and sustainable grassland-based production systems in the Appalachian Region.
Researchers found that a specific viral protein EBNA3C triggers uncontrolled growth of B cells, initiating cancer. The study provides new insights into how Epstein-Barr virus drives cancer and paves the way for developing targeted therapeutics.
A study analyzed data from over 7,300 people infected with HIV and found that HAART treatment can lower the risk of Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, no significant reduction in risk was observed for other types of cancer. Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer among people with HIV.