Researchers at Queen's University have identified a protein that enables E. coli 0157:H7 to obtain iron, a catalyst for bacterial growth. This breakthrough discovery opens the door for studying heme iron and potentially developing therapeutics to isolate and inhibit the protein.
Florida State University research physicist Edmund G. Myers is using a state-of-the-art Penning trap to measure the precise difference in mass of tritium and helium-3 atoms, which will help pin down the mass of the electron neutrino.
Researchers find strong water vapor feedback contributing to warming in Central and Northeastern Europe. The study shows that manmade greenhouse gases are responsible for a smaller portion of the warming, while rising cloudiness and evapotranspiration play a larger role.
A study found that ADDERALL XR significantly improved driving safety and performance in patients with ADHD, measured by a 2.5-point reduction in their average Driving Safety Score. The medication also showed significant effects on ADHD symptom control, improving attention and reducing lapses in attention.
Pitt researchers Yadin Y. Goldschmidt and Eduardo Cuansing used computer simulations to find direct evidence of new vortex patterns in superconductors. These findings show that the vortices can behave differently in the presence of columnar defects, leading to two-stage melting instead of one at higher temperatures.
A recent study published at the American College of Gastroenterology's annual meeting found that targeted antibiotics, specifically rifaximin, resulted in a significant and long-lasting improvement in IBS symptoms. Patients who received the antibiotic experienced a 37% overall improvement in their symptoms, compared to 23% on placebo.
A randomized controlled trial found that cannabis-based medicine (CBM) significantly improved pain on movement, pain at rest, quality of sleep, inflammation, and intensity of pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. CBM reduced pain scores by an average of 2-3 points across several measures.
A recent study found that only one in six pregnant women meet the recommended physical activity levels, with older, non-white women and those with lower incomes being less likely to exercise. Doctors are urged to encourage pregnant women to engage in moderate activities most days of the week.
A study of rats reveals that protein-enriched diets induce glucose synthesis in the small intestine, which is sensed by the liver and brain, ultimately leading to a decline in food consumption. This finding suggests that glucose metabolism in the small intestine may be a new target for treating food intake disorders.
Antibiotic prescribing for children with sore throats has decreased from 66% in 1995 to 54% in 2003, primarily due to reduced use of recommended antibiotics. However, a significant proportion of children still receive unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotics.
PET imaging with FDG is a powerful tool in determining the extent of spread of reproductive system cancers, particularly when other conventional tests are ambiguous. Studies have shown its high sensitivity in detecting nodal disease in cervical cancer and its superior detection abilities compared to CT or MRI in recurrent ovarian cancer.
Researchers found that phenolic compounds in olive oil improved endothelial function and reduced oxidative stress. The study suggests a possible mechanism by which the Mediterranean diet's health benefits are achieved, but further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Children with tree nut allergies can safely eat some nuts as they grow older, according to a new study. Researchers found that 9% of children passed an oral food challenge test, and those with low levels of tree nut antibodies were more likely to succeed.
Researchers found significant disparities in health status outcomes between African-Americans and whites, with blacks experiencing more angina, physical limitations, and poorer quality of life one year after an acute coronary syndrome. These disparities remained even after adjusting for hospital treatments and other factors.
A clinical decision system (CDSS) helped decrease inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing rates by 10% in communities with the intervention. The CDSS tool guided diagnosis and management of acute respiratory infections, reducing the use of macrolides and antibiotics for viral respiratory tract infections.
A team of researchers has discovered a novel form of cancer gene regulation that inhibits the production of GLI1, a protein associated with severe birth defects and childhood cancers. This regulation mechanism involves the Quaking protein and is conserved across humans and worms.
Research suggests that hepatitis B carriers are 1.5 times more likely to have a male child, contributing to the over-representation of males in some Asian countries. In China, hepatitis B accounts for around 75% of the 'missing women', while in other countries it contributes to about 20-45% of the discrepancy.
A new study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that children of bipolar parents scored higher than healthy controls on a creativity test. The research suggests a possible link between creativity and bipolar disorder, with some experts attributing creative activity to mobilizing energy from negative emotions.
Scientists have discovered the roles of two proteins in recognizing blockages in transcription and initiating efficient repair. Their results suggest a previously unsuspected mechanism for the repair process, shedding light on Cockayne Syndrome, a fatal form of accelerated aging.
A study of over 1.4 million woman-years found no linear association between caffeine intake and risk of incident hypertension, but consumption of cola beverages was associated with an increased risk of hypertension independent of sugary or diet status.
Researchers found that light exposure triggers a massive surge of corticosterone in mice, playing a key role in physiological changes evoked by light. The study suggests light therapy may have beneficial effects on patients with seasonal affective disorder and other metabolic disorders.
A study of 2,310 healthy Icelandic adults found that vitamin D status was more important than high calcium intake for maintaining optimal serum parathyroid hormone levels. Vitamin D sufficiency ensured ideal serum PTH values even with low calcium intake, while high calcium intake was not sufficient without adequate vitamin D status.
Dr. Miller's study categorizes regional peace into three levels: cold, normal, and warm, each resulting from distinct peacemaking strategies. Regional integration is shown to promote warm peace by reducing the need for great power support, stabilizing ethnic conflicts.
A prestigious team of international editors led by Professor Donnan is launching the International Journal of Stroke, focusing on clinical aspects of stroke and providing regional news, world press reports, and topical reviews. The journal aims to reduce the burden of stroke worldwide through research and debate.
A new software developed by Ohio State University's Noel Cressie and his colleagues can fill in missing data on satellite images with remarkable speed and accuracy. The software uses statistical techniques, including Bayesian analysis, to weight available data and calculate missing values at different image resolutions.
The AAAS Science Journalism Awards honored outstanding science writers for their reporting on global warming, cystic fibrosis treatment disparities, and other scientific topics. Elizabeth Kolbert won the magazine award for her series on climate change, while Atul Gawande was recognized for his story on cystic fibrosis treatment outcomes.
Researchers discovered that changing an embryo's genetic elements can alter its adult fish jaw structure and function. The study revealed a complex link between embryonic development and biomechanical systems, with specific genes controlling different aspects of the lower jaw.
Purdue engineers have created a new method to analyze the components of automotive suspension systems, aiming to improve performance, reduce weight, and increase durability. The approach represents a potential change in how suspensions are designed, with potential benefits including lighter and more efficient suspension systems.
The University of Rochester Medical Center has received two new grants to fund research on preparing for a bioterrorist attack. The grants aim to develop mathematical models and computer simulations of the human immune system's response to influenza A and smallpox, two of the worst threats. Researchers will also focus on finding ways t...
This study emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing perceived barriers to risk factor modification in women. By reducing these barriers, healthcare providers can help prevent or delay coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths, which account for one half million deaths annually.