A study found that telomerase activity in urine has high sensitivity and specificity for detecting bladder cancer, particularly in high-risk subgroups. The test is noninvasive, inexpensive, and easy to perform, making it a promising diagnostic tool for early cancer detection.
A new report by Express Scripts, Inc. found that U.S. consumers could have saved $20 billion in 2004 by using more generic drugs, with the most dramatic savings potential existing for generic gastrointestinals and anti-cholesterol medications.
Researchers developed a gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV-8) to deliver a normal copy of the delta-sarcoglycan gene to skeletal and cardiac muscle cells. The treatment showed remarkable improvements in muscle function, structure, and endurance in hamsters with muscular dystrophy.
A new study reveals that targeting the brain chemical methionine enkephalin (Met-Enk) with antisense molecules can alter brain function and increase alcohol consumption in mice. This breakthrough could lead to a new class of drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease and possibly even alcoholism.
Researchers precisely imaged and counted color-receptive cones in a living human eye for the first time, revealing that color perception goes beyond hardware limitations. The brain's normalization mechanism balances colors despite variations in the visual system.
A study by Rice University economists found that high private sector lawyer salaries in certain regions affect the likelihood of federal prosecutors taking drug cases to trial. This occurs because government positions are less competitive, leading experienced lawyers to seek trials to gain valuable courtroom experience.
A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that treatment of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) significantly improved women's sexual function scores in all domains. The researchers discovered a link between the physiological changes of one partner affecting the other, highlighting the importance of addressing ED to impr...
The new classification recognizes six major clusters of organisms, including Opisthokonta, Amoebozoa, Excavata, Rhizaria, Archaeplastida, and Chromalveolata. These clusters have significant implications for our understanding of eukaryotic diversity and its impact on various fields such as medicine and agriculture.
Researchers found that a home-based environmental intervention significantly reduced asthma symptoms and associated healthcare use in inner-city children. The cost per symptom-free day was $25.57, offsetting the intervention's expenses.
Research finds that heavy rainfall and flooding can lead to more dust being released into the atmosphere, especially in regions like the Tigris-Euphrates Basin and North Africa. In contrast, areas with more vegetation and lower wind speeds tend to experience a decrease in dust emissions.
Researchers at NC State have successfully transferred genes from a heat-tolerant sea microbe, Pyrococcus furiosus, into tobacco and Arabidopsis plants to enhance their resistance to extreme temperatures. The study's findings show promise for developing plants that can thrive in harsh conditions on Mars and other planets.
A new study by Janis Dickinson found that accumulated wealth encourages delayed dispersal in Western bluebirds, leading to close-knit family relationships. By manipulating the mistletoe resource, Dickinson demonstrated that reducing wealth causes sons to leave their parents' territory.
Researchers have discovered that lipids, specifically phosphatidylinositol transfer protein-α, are regulated during axon growth and play a critical role in nervous system development. Blocking this lipid can prevent nerves from developing arm-like extensions, leading to neuron death and motor neuron degeneration.
Miller's research on photodynamic therapy of neovascular age-related macular degeneration and Schuman's development of optical coherence tomography have led to significant advances in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma and retinal diseases.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends regular assessment of asthma control to ensure patients receive optimal treatment. This approach helps identify changes in medication effectiveness and environmental triggers.
Researchers found that physicians in high-spending areas order more tests, referrals, and treatments than those in low spending areas. This study isolates the role of physician behavior in explaining regional differences in practice and spending.
A study found that anemia is associated with a higher risk of death in the elderly, even among those with normal hemoglobin levels. Lower hemoglobin concentrations were linked to increased mortality risk, regardless of other factors.
Researchers reveal that a mesh-like protein skeleton gives red blood cells their rubbery ability to stretch without breaking, facilitating oxygen diffusion across the membrane. The model also suggests that deformation of the cell can enhance oxygen movement through narrow capillary openings.
The sixth issue of the Bibliography includes abstracts of 25 significant dietary supplement research papers published in 2004. It highlights research on phenolics and flavonoids, reflecting growing interest in their potential health effects.
A Columbia University study shows that aprotinin decreases blood glucose levels and insulin resistance in diabetic patients undergoing CABG surgery, reducing the risk of complications. The study's findings have important implications for the management of blood glucose levels during heart surgery.
Research reveals that tiny biophysical forces play a critical role in tissue formation, enabling cells to migrate and organize into functional structures. The study used computational models and in vitro experiments to demonstrate the importance of slow biophysical flows in establishing morphogen gradients.
A clinical trial alert system significantly increased physicians' participation in patient recruitment, doubling the enrollment rate from 2.9 to 6.0 participants per month. The system alerted physicians about ongoing trials when a patient's records met selected criteria, leading to a 10-fold increase in referrals.
A recent study found that nearly one in five depressed African-American participants developed a disability within two years of enrolling, compared to one in twenty non-depressed peers. Chronic conditions and functional limitations also played a significant role in the excess disability incidence related to depression.
The Newman team won an NSF award for their work on biological self-assembly, a principle that considers the physical properties of cells and tissues to develop new organs. Their research could lead to the 'printing' of replacement parts using organ printing, revolutionizing organ transplantation.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that an estimated one in 300 adolescents and adults contracts pertussis each year. The study's results demonstrated that a new pertussis vaccine is over 90% effective in preventing the illness, making it a strongly encouraged booster shot for adults.
Patients taking ASA plus dipyridamole had increased rates of myocardial infarction, but the addition of dipyridamole is rarely justified for stroke prevention. ASA remains the gold standard treatment for preventing stroke in high-risk patients.
Researchers at Temple University School of Medicine have discovered a novel protein, p27SJ, extracted from St. John's Wort that suppresses HIV-1 gene expression and inhibits its replication. The study reveals that the protein interacts with both cellular proteins and viral proteins to block viral replication.
A randomized controlled trial found that ginseng reduced the frequency and severity of colds in study subjects. Ginseng was also effective in lessening symptom severity and duration. In contrast, Echinacea angustifolia was not found to be a preventive herbal product for the common cold.
Stevens Institute of Technology has received a $60,000 grant from SUN Microsystems to establish the SUN Laboratory for Advanced Networked Systems (SUNLANS). The lab will focus on increasing high-end Grid system utilization in research and education.
A Carnegie Mellon study found that individuals displaying anger and disgust in response to stressors had lower biological responses to stress than those who displayed fear. This challenges the assumption that all negative emotions provoke the same psychological and biological reactions.
A new class of drug has been shown to reduce post-operative vomiting in 95% of patients, with no significant difference in nausea reduction compared to existing anti-emetic drugs. The NK-1 receptor antagonist was found to be well-tolerated and effective in preventing vomiting after surgery.
Children with ADHD treated with the MTS patch showed statistically significant improvements in behavior and math performance. The phase II and III studies demonstrated a 56% reduction in ADHD symptoms, paving the way for potential approval by the FDA.
Researchers discovered that stressed endothelial cells form healthy alignment of stress fibers perpendicular to the axis of stretch, a hallmark of healthy blood vessels. Inhibition of Rho protein causes stress fibers to grow in an unhealthy direction parallel to the axis of stretch.
Research using fMRI technology found reduced activity in the caudate nucleus, a critical part of prefrontal brain circuits, in boys with autism. This impairment affects attention, problem-solving, and learning abilities. The study's findings may help develop better therapies for children with autism.
A team of researchers developed fine-tunable carbon-supported gold catalysts that can achieve selective hydrocarbon oxidation under mild conditions. The catalysts enable the conversion of unsaturated hydrocarbons to oxygen-containing organic compounds with higher yields and environmental friendliness.
Researchers found botulinum toxin type A significantly reduced pain in all 13 patients with trigeminal neuralgia within 10 days of injection. By 60 days, four patients became medication-free and others reduced their medication use by over 50%.
A new transmission system using phased array technology could improve planetary radar and spacecraft communication efficiency, enabling more data to be collected from science spacecraft. The system's low power consumption and lack of moving parts make it a cost-effective alternative to current systems.
A study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that women have 34 nerve fibers per square centimeter of facial skin compared to men's 17, leading to a lower pain tolerance. This difference has significant implications for post-operative pain treatment in women.
University of Washington researchers found a gland in fruit flies that assesses the fly's size and sends hormonal signals to initiate metamorphosis. By genetically manipulating the prothoracic gland, scientists could alter the size at which the fly would reach adulthood, providing new insights into an organism's growth process.
Researchers found that a specific gene, SPRN6, is switched on in mosquitoes infected with the malaria parasite, allowing them to defend against it. By knocking out this gene, they observed increased parasite development in some mosquito species and delayed parasite lysis in others.
The trial, conducted by French and South African researchers, found that male circumcision can significantly reduce the risk of HIV infection among heterosexual men. The study involved 3,274 young men who were either circumcised or left uncircumcised, with the circumcised group showing a 60% lower rate of new infections.
European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBO) has elected 40 outstanding researchers to its membership. The selected scientists are recognized for their groundbreaking work in the life sciences disciplines. They will provide valuable scientific input to the organization, maintaining EMBO's high standards of excellence.
A study of 1901 women with early-stage breast cancer found that longer tamoxifen treatment periods resulted in improved overall survival, particularly in younger patients. Women aged 50-55 showed significant overall survival improvement after five years of treatment.
Researchers found that two monkey species, cotton-top tamarins and common marmosets, exhibit differing propensities toward patience and impulsivity depending on the context of the choice being made. The study suggests that impulsivity is context-specific and shaped by a history of ecological pressures.
A Yale study reveals that recent state budget cuts and outdated provider rates have led to a decline in care by private practice physicians for underinsured and publicly insured patients. The researchers obtained disclosure of HMO rates and found that they pay doctors less than private insurers for comparable services.
Contralateral prophylactic mastectomies (CPM) reduce risk of future breast cancer, but may lead to negative feelings towards body appearance and loss of sense of femininity. The study found that satisfaction levels were higher in women who underwent a simple mastectomy compared to those who had bilateral prophylactic mastectomies.
A study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association found that heart attack patients treated at hospitals with a large proportion of African-American patients had higher mortality rates. Targeted quality improvements could enhance care for all patients and reduce disparities.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill have discovered a new enzyme that can break down chloroacrylate pesticide residue in just 10,000 years, significantly longer than other environmental pollutants. This enzyme is found in bacteria that thrive on the pesticide and has implications for designing more efficient enzymes.
Researchers have identified 16 new serine protease inhibitors in the saliva of medical leeches, which could be used to treat cardiovascular disease. The compounds may inhibit thrombus development and are a promising lead for anticoagulant and fibrinolytic drugs.
Researchers found that 3% of medication orders contained errors, with 60% of pediatric errors and 82% of adult errors having potential to harm patients. Hospitals implemented changes to their automated drug order-entry systems to reduce future errors.
A study found that employees who perceived a high level of justice at work had a 30% lower risk of developing coronary heart disease. The association was independent of other risk factors, including job strain and effort-reward imbalance.
Researchers analyzed medication orders from outpatient clinics and found a three percent overall error rate and two percent serious error rate. Most errors were due to omitted dosages or incorrect orders, but serious harm was avoided by existing checks in most cases.
A study by Temple University researchers found that nerve injuries caused by repetitive strain can lead to chronic pain and degenerative problems, with cytokines playing a key role. Cytokines may affect employees' psychosocial responses, leading to 'sick-worker' syndrome, characterized by slacking off work and low-grade depression.
Researchers analyzed genetic data and outbreak patterns to find that the Zaire strain of Ebola virus is spreading as a wave from its first epidemic in Yambuku, Gabon. This suggests that the virus may reach populated areas within 1-2 years and devastated gorilla populations in 3-6 years.
Virginia Stallings, M.D., a leading researcher in pediatric nutrition, has been elected to the Institute of Medicine. Her work focuses on nutrition-related growth failure in children with chronic medical conditions, establishing national standards for nutritional care.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that COLD-fX significantly reduced upper respiratory infections by 25% and recurrent infections by 56%. The treatment also showed a significant effect in reducing symptom scores and infection duration.
Researchers found 12 out of 15 participants with chronic schizophrenia made more accurate judgments than the best performer among a control group of non-schizophrenic volunteers. The study suggests that contextual processing may be less effective in schizophrenic brains, possibly due to insufficient inhibition.
A study found that anxiety, blood pressure readings and responses to a heat test before surgery can predict post-surgical pain severity and medication requirements. The researchers identified six groups of predictive factors accounting for 90% of the total variances in patients' pain levels.
The center aims to develop tools for early detection and a deeper understanding of microbial disease transmission, connecting science to the community.
A new study introduces a Clinical Trial Alert (CTA) system that leverages electronic medical record capabilities to increase patient referrals and enrollment rates. The system significantly improved physician referrals and patient enrollments, doubling the study's enrollment rate from physician referrals.