A study found high rates of untreated eye disease among older adults with diabetes, particularly in managed care networks. Managed care patients were more likely to have cataract and glaucoma, highlighting the need for improved access to eye care.
Two studies document a significant rise in superbugs, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), affecting people worldwide. The prevalence of MRSA has more than doubled, with 76% of community-acquired isolates being resistant to antibiotics.
A new study found that nearly half of women perceived mammography screenings as unaffordable due to misperceptions about insurance coverage. The researchers suggest that private insurers can play a significant role in reducing these misconceptions by providing better educational efforts.
A new study has found that older patients with type 2 diabetes often go without necessary eye care. According to the research, approximately 42% of managed care patients and 28% of fee-for-service patients require urgent treatment for treatable eye conditions within six months.
Researchers found that audiovisual integration of speech is severely reduced when observers perform a difficult task, even when the talker is clearly visible and audible. This challenges previous claims that multisensory integration occurs without attention, implying a need for attentional resources for cross-sensory binding.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a new blood test for ovarian cancer screening using four biomarkers, showing high sensitivity and specificity. The test predicts cancer in patients whose levels of two or more biomarkers fall within a certain warning area.
Recent studies have shown that buckyballs can affect biological systems, but a new study assesses their behavior in water. Scientists found that buckyballs combine into nano-sized clumps, which are more soluble in water than individual carbon molecules, and inhibit the growth of soil bacteria at very low concentrations.
A study by Purdue University climatologist Noah Diffenbaugh suggests that vegetation changes can significantly affect extreme weather events. In regions like California and the Great Basin, vegetation feedbacks may lead to more or fewer extreme events depending on the location.
Researchers found that increasing dopamine D2 receptors can reduce drinking behavior in mice and rats, while blocking another type of dopamine receptor may also decrease consumption. These findings provide insight into the complex roles of dopamine in alcohol abuse and may lead to molecular-based treatments.
A new study finds that fear of falling is surprisingly common among middle-aged African-American adults, affecting their activity levels and overall health. The phobia can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing individuals to become weaker and more prone to falls.
Researchers propose that antibiotic-mediated DNA damage triggers a bacterial repair mechanism, increasing the likelihood of mutations leading to antibiotic resistance. Blocking this pathway could provide a promising strategy for controlling the spread of superbugs.
Researchers found that five out of eight African Americans and seven out of eleven Caucasians showed increased amygdala activity when viewing expressionless African American photos compared to Caucasian photos. This suggests that people from both groups have similar emotional brain responses to the same stimulus.
Researchers propose Assured Nuclear Fuel Services Initiative (ANSFI) to provide nuclear fuel services to countries without enrichment capabilities. The initiative aims to prevent proliferation by making it economically attractive for countries to join, reducing the risk of weapons development.
Researchers, led by Daniel Eberl, studied the Myosin VIIA gene in fruit flies to understand deafness. They found that this gene is essential for hearing in both fruit flies and humans. This discovery will help scientists design experiments to test specific mechanisms of hearing.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that troubled girls in the juvenile justice system face unique challenges, including family-related issues, mental health concerns, and increased risk of psychopathy. The findings emphasize the need for specialized support and resources to address these specific needs.
Researchers found that patients who mounted an immune response against beta amyloid experienced improved memory performance and reduced brain size, suggesting the removal of built-up protein. The new trial aims to stimulate an immune attack without raising brain inflammation risk.
A new study reveals that neurons in a bird's brain region, analogous to the mammalian prefrontal cortex, selectively fire when birds are told to remember and stop firing when they are told to forget. This suggests that the avian brain may be capable of executive control, similar to humans.
A study by the Mayo Clinic found that arm lift surgery is generally safe, with a complication rate of relatively low numbers. The most common complications were fluid collections under the skin, poor scarring, skin infection, and nerve injuries. These complications can include numbness in the forearms or pain in the hand and forearm.
A study found that patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease who are aware of their diagnosis and symptoms can make competent decisions about their treatment. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score can help predict decision-making abilities, with those scoring 24 or higher indicating competence.
Researchers in Nepal have identified a previously unknown fault that confirms intuition about deformation at depth in the Earth's crust. The discovery suggests a feedback mechanism between erosion and tectonic deformation, with implications for understanding mountain building processes.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal reports that prescription drug costs have surpassed $18 billion. This significant increase underscores the importance of disseminating unbiased information to ensure patient safety and healthcare sustainability.
Genevra Ornelas and Cathy Tran, both graduating seniors, will participate in a 10-week internship at Science magazine to improve diversity in science news reporting. The program aims to expose interns to science writing and promote a more scientifically aware population.
Researchers use ferritin as a reporter gene to track genetic modifications in tumor cells, enabling monitoring of gene therapy's progress. This technique has far-reaching implications for diseases like diabetes, where genes can be tagged and tracked using MRI.
A brain scan study found that people with a depression-linked gene variant have less gray matter and weaker connections in the mood-regulating circuit. The circuit's connectivity accounted for nearly 30% of their anxious temperament.
A study of nearly 5,000 students found that four years in small classes increased high school graduation rates by 11.5%. Low socio-economic students saw a more than doubling of graduation odds after four years in small classes.
The conference aimed to incorporate ecological methods into traditional epidemiological studies, exploring how environmental changes influence disease dynamics. Experts emphasized the need for building a bridge between ecology and epidemiology to address emerging pathogens effectively.
A new study suggests that ICD therapy can be beneficial for patients with recently diagnosed cardiomyopathy, reducing overall mortality risk. The findings support earlier implantation of ICDs in this patient population.
Glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and least curable form of brain tumors, may be targeted with new molecular therapies. Researchers identified a protein called Fra-1 that controls malignant features of brain tumor cells and a receptor for interleukin 13 that can be augmented by cytokines to increase treatment accessibility.
A study by Debarchana Ghosh found extreme inequality in health care resource availability, with western and southeastern Kansas counties facing significant challenges. The research identified 'high health care resource regions' and 'low or very low health care resource regions,' highlighting the need for policy-makers to address these ...
Scientists at the Elhuyar Fundazioa Institute have identified a previously unknown mechanism for capturing nutrients in plants. The process, which uses micro-vesicles and internal compartments called vacuola, is independent of specific transporters in plasma membranes and can be triggered by saccharose.
Researchers developed a recombinant fusion protein that can be orally administered, increasing white blood cell count for three days. This breakthrough uses transferrin to bind to intestinal cells and transport the protein to the bloodstream.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that USDA corn production forecasts were more accurate than private forecasts during most periods, but had limited impact on prices. Private market forecasts improved significantly since the mid-1980s, outperforming USDA forecasts in August and other months.
Researchers at UCSD map yeast gene circuitry to predict new functions and identify disease-causing combinations. The technique, which uses synthetic lethal interactions, could be applied to humans to develop more sophisticated drugs and gene therapies.
Scientists have discovered a new species, Falcarius utahensis, in Utah that provides clues about the evolution of plant-eating dinosaurs. The dinosaur had leaf-shaped teeth and a larger gut to digest plant material, and its neck and forelimbs were more elongated for reaching plants.
New guidelines suggest that bystanders performing CPR should focus on continuous chest compressions, even if they're not familiar with mouth-to-mouth procedures. This approach aims to increase the chances of saving lives by making CPR more accessible and easier to perform.
A new tool for tracing human gene connections has been developed, enabling the study of complex systems like power grids and neural networks. The research used a novel approach to analyze gene activity in response to c-Myc activation, revealing over 1,000 genes significantly altered by the protein.
A team of researchers, including a UCR chemist, has discovered a novel site of histone acetylation that regulates gene expression in yeast. The study used mass spectrometry to show that this new site is associated with gene activation by attracting the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex.
Researchers develop method to modify existing proteins by adding intermediate functions followed by stepwise directed evolution, creating new protein functions in a couple of months. The approach has potential applications in therapeutics and other fields.
Scientists have extended the lifespan of mice by protecting against free radicals, providing evidence for the free-radical theory of aging. The study found that delivering catalase to mitochondria increased average and maximum lifespan by up to 20%.
Researchers found clear differences in immune cell responses between children with autism and typically developing children following exposure to bacterial agents and a plant lectin. The study suggests that a dysfunctional immune system may play a role in the development of autism, warranting further investigation.
A large-scale study found that quitting smoking slows lung function decline in men and women, with a 38% decrease in men and 17% in women. However, weight gain significantly diminishes the beneficial effects of quitting on lung function, particularly in men.
The 3 by 5 program faces challenges in achieving its goal of treating 3 million people with HIV/AIDS, mainly due to insufficient financial resources (US$163 million vs US$174 million) and inadequate WHO staff deployment. Three countries, India, South Africa, and Nigeria, are crucial in addressing the issue, especially in Africa where o...
A recent study found that fibromyalgia patients' level of depression has little impact on their intensity of pain experience, suggesting that treatments for each condition should be considered separately. Researchers hope that separating these two complex conditions can lead to more effective pain management.
Scientists reported progress in diagnosing youngest children through biomarkers and behavioral observations, allowing for early treatment. The study also highlighted the potential connection of cytokines to autism and identified endophenotypic traits associated with the condition.
Research on Earth's albedo is facing a lack of funding and resources, hindering scientists' understanding of its effects on climate change. Albedo makes up half the equation for understanding the planet's energy budget, but its impact could be off by as much as 100 percent.
The study found that classification of research and development in the services sector has become increasingly difficult due to blurring lines between manufacturing and services. The researchers make recommendations for improved definitions and revised wording of questions to improve accuracy.
Researchers studied brain activity in fibromyalgia patients to understand depression-pain connection. They found heightened sensitivity to pressure-induced pain in FM patients, regardless of depressive symptoms. The study suggests treating depression and physical pain separately for better outcomes.
Breast cancer tumors hijack normal wound-healing processes by exploiting stromal cells' production of SDF-1, which recruits endothelial precursor cells for tumor growth. This process enables tumors to access nutrients and grow unchecked.
A recent study has associated high expression of interferon-inducible genes with increased disease severity in SLE patients, including kidney disease. The findings suggest that determining the expression of these genes may help select patients for clinical studies.
The new facility expands Columbia's laboratory space for cancer research, housing nine floors of research facilities, classrooms, and the Avon Foundation Breast Imaging Center. The center is dedicated to investigators conducting disease-specific research on various cancers.
A team of scientists from Israel, US, and Germany have found that tiny ocean animals called zooplankton can 'treadmill' against strong vertical currents to keep their depth. This remarkable behavior has significant implications for the survival of predators and humans.
A significant gap exists in understanding Earth's energy balance, crucial for accurately determining climate change. Scientists call for improved research observations and models to describe the overall energy balance of Earth's system.
A study by University of North Carolina researchers finds that routine episiotomy during childbirth does not reduce pain or prevent complications, but may cause more harm. Women who underwent the procedure were more likely to experience urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and impaired sexual function.
Researchers found that combining methylphenidate patch with behavior modification was superior to either treatment alone, achieving greater improvement in child behavior. The study also showed significant reductions in medication dosages needed, making it ideal for administering lower doses over time.
A new intervention program for toddlers with autism focuses on social engagement to improve language and cognitive development. The program aims to alter the trajectory of early brain development toward a more normal one by promoting emotional relationships between children and other people.
A Pitt professor has been awarded a prestigious Sloan Research Fellowship to study brain communication and its impact on mental disorders like schizophrenia. The two-year, $45,000 fellowship will fund his research into how brain areas interact during normal behaviors and how this interaction breaks down in schizophrenia.
Researchers found that small glaciers in Northern California are remaining stable due to higher precipitation rates. This anomaly highlights the need for further study on glacier behavior and provides insight into climate variability over thousands of years.
The U.S. National Science Foundation and NEH have launched an effort to document dying languages worldwide using modern cyberinfrastructure tools. Over $40 million in funding supports various research projects, including language documentation, archival digitization, and fellowship awards.
Researchers found that cranberry juice powder relaxes and opens blood vessels in genetically susceptible pigs, improving vascular function. The next step is to identify the specific components of cranberries responsible for this effect and develop a palatable way to consume them.
Scientists at Stanford University have developed a new method, Mosaic Analysis with Double Markers (MADM), to create genetically engineered mice with specific mutated genes. This technique enables researchers to study gene function at high resolution, allowing for insights into human development and disease.