The Georgia Institute of Technology's Center for Biologically Inspired Design applies nature's design principles to improve manufacturing, materials, and processes. Biomimicry research projects are underway in biosensing, materials design, and more.
A study examining air quality over 37,000 days found a one percent higher risk of hospitalization for ischemic stroke on high-pollution days. The researchers believe that particulate matter in the air promotes inflammation and can lead to changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
Initial combination therapy with either prednisone or infliximab significantly reduces progression of radiographic joint damage and improves functional outcomes compared to DMARDs alone or step-up combination therapy. Patients treated with initial combination therapy also experience earlier relief from symptoms.
Experts from Group Health Research Institute outline five principles for making informed decisions on drug coverage, prioritizing true experiments, real health outcomes, and full ranges of alternatives. These evidence-based guidelines aim to protect patients and promote cost-effectiveness.
A study found that moderate exercise can improve knee cartilage strength and elasticity, reducing the progression of osteoarthritis. Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce knee pain and stiffness, as well as improve functional performance tests.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have found hormone therapy will not diminish the value of radiation for prostate cancer. Additionally, a leukemia drug shows modest benefits in suppressing PSA levels for some men with localized prostate cancer.
The UK has seen a continued reduction in drug-related deaths, with 73% of all deaths occurring among those under 45. Opiate-related fatalities accounted for the majority (68%) of fatalities in 2004, despite a decrease in the number of deaths involving heroin/morphine.
Scientists in Alaska screened over 4,500 samples for avian influenza viruses, detecting 30 cases with varying subtypes. Notably, none of these strains tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype, but researchers will continue to monitor the state's risk and build predictive models to understand virus evolution.
Pall Corporation's total process management approach can improve vaccine production economics by reducing time, safety risks, and expenses. The use of scalable and disposable technologies enables efficient processing of larger volumes, addressing the need for increased manufacturing capacity in response to pandemic threats.
A recent study found that people generally overestimate their abilities and health risks, leading to poor decision-making in areas such as health management, education, and the workplace. This can have serious consequences, including underestimating susceptibility to health risks and overconfidence in professional competence.
Researchers at Duke University explore the neural mechanisms of interval timing, a fundamental process involved in tasks like walking, speech recognition, and learning. They propose a new model involving the 'coincidence detection' of oscillatory patterns, which integrates information from various brain structures.
Researchers identified the DCDC2 gene as a significant contributor to dyslexia, disrupting brain circuitry that enables reading. The study's findings have the potential to lead to early and accurate diagnoses, as well as more effective educational programs for individuals with dyslexia.
Researchers found that reestablished contact between two isolated green-eyed tree frog populations led to the emergence of a new species due to females' preference for mates from their own lineage. This preference resulted in reproductive isolation and accelerated evolution, ultimately giving rise to a distinct species.
A comprehensive Arctic climate change study examines the cascading effects of warming on various components, including land, vegetation, animals, weather, and human systems. The research highlights the dramatic impacts of warming on Arctic ecosystems, emphasizing the need for policymakers and the public to understand these changes.
A new vaccine study is testing a targeted vaccine against the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, aiming to protect vulnerable populations. Participants will receive three doses of either the vaccine or placebo over six months, with blood samples collected to test for protection.
A recent study has found that patients with head injuries are ten times more likely to die than those with other types of injuries. The lack of neurosurgical care is associated with a significant increase in mortality rates, highlighting the need for improved emergency response systems.
A study found that Botox injections significantly improved muscle tone and functional disability in stroke patients, with at least 50% achieving a 1-point or greater improvement. The treatment was safe and well-tolerated, with only 7% reporting adverse events.
Tulane University has received $4.1 million to continue its work on the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in several countries. The university will also conduct a five-year study on liver cancer due to liver fluke infection in Southeast Asia.
Research by Chuan-Qing Wang and colleagues found that morphine withdrawal and precipitated withdrawal increase HCV replicon expression and inhibit IFN-alpha production in liver cells. This study suggests that opioid abuse may contribute to the chronicity of HCV infection and promote disease progression.
This issue features studies on variability in NGC2301 II, superhumps in cataclysmic binaries, and host galaxies of QSOs at high redshift. Researchers also investigate data exchange standards for optical interferometry and analyze seeing data for the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope.
Researchers discovered that two proteins in HDLs work synergistically to kill the Nagana parasite in humans. This finding contradicts a long-held hypothesis and provides new information for treatments of parasitic infections like malaria.
Mohamad Halawi, a UH graduate, has been awarded multiple scholarships and a prestigious NIH fellowship to pursue his passion in cancer genomics research. With these honors, he aims to become a physician-scientist practicing in oncology.
Researchers discovered 17 genes linked to human anxiety disorders, with many enzymes playing a crucial role in their function. This breakthrough study provides new hope for understanding and treating anxiety-related behaviors.