A pilot study at Michigan State University found reflexology to be the most effective complementary therapy for women receiving chemotherapy for late-stage breast cancer. Reflexology applied firm pressure to certain parts of the foot helped reduce depression, anxiety, and improved spirituality and emotional quality of life.
The UCSD-led team has built a Geographic Information System (GIS) to assess toxic hazards from Katrina. The system will enable secure data sharing and collaborative analysis among experts nationwide.
Brown University has received a five-year, $11-million NIH COBRE award to explore how cancer cells develop from normal cells. The grant will support research on DNA damage, cell growth, and hormone signaling, with the goal of designing more effective prevention measures or treatment methods.
Scientists have used satellite technology to track salmon sharks migrating from the glacial waters of Alaska to the warm seas off Hawaii. The study found that these top predators can survive in a broad range of thermal conditions due to specialized proteins in their heart muscle cells.
Researchers have identified a link between lupus patients and an overabundance of specific immune cells in their tonsils, which may lead to the disease's characteristic auto-reactivity.
The PROactive study found that Takeda's ACTOS (pioglitazone HCl) significantly reduced the combined risk of non-fatal heart attacks, strokes, and deaths by 16% in high-risk patients with type-2 diabetes. This led to a 10% reduction in the primary combination endpoint of seven different macrovascular events.
The study reveals that proteins RPL26 and nucleolin control p53 production in response to DNA damage. Increasing p53 function may boost radiation therapy effectiveness, while reducing it could protect normal cells from oxidative stress.
Researchers at CU-Boulder developed a microscopic rotor that turns in a desired direction using an oscillating electrical field. The device has potential applications in nanotechnology machines and could be used to power chemical sensors, cell-phone switches, miniature pumps or even laser-blocking goggles.
A study reports that national character stereotypes are common and often mistaken, with no agreement between average trait levels and stereotypes. Researchers found that many traits, such as assertiveness and openness to experience, are not consistent with their respective cultures' perceptions.
Researchers dropped instruments called dropsondes into the hurricane to measure temperature, pressure, winds, and more. The study reconstructed the structure of the eye in three dimensions from high altitude to great detail.
The Center for Engineering Sustainability aims to galvanize engineering programs into action, improving faculty teaching and providing peer-reviewed educational materials. The initiative also plans a nationwide survey to benchmark the status of sustainable engineering education.
A new technique uses a machine vision algorithm to identify individual whale sharks based on their spot patterns, allowing for better conservation efforts. The ECOCEAN Whale Shark Photo-identification Library has been established to store and analyze whale shark photographs.
Researchers have developed a product that blocks insect enzymes and delivers a dose of pesticide 4-5 hours later, proving almost 100% effective in trials. This technology reduces the amount of pesticide needed on fields, benefiting both Western and developing world farmers.
Dario Alessi, a young European researcher, receives the EMBO Gold Medal for his outstanding contributions to cell signalling and signal transduction. His work has had a significant impact on understanding inherited diseases and is recognized as one of the world's top cited scientists in biology and biochemistry.
Scientists at the University of Illinois used computer simulation to study how oxygen and hydrogen travel to an enzyme's catalyst site. They discovered that closing oxygen pathways could increase hydrogenase tolerance to oxygen, making it a more economical source of hydrogen fuel.
Researchers found that NSAIDs reduced oral cancer risk by 53% in smokers and active users. However, long-term use of NSAIDs doubled the relative risk of death due to heart disease.
Researchers at Rutgers University have made new findings linking genetic variants to susceptibility to autism and schizophrenia. The study suggests that a mutated form of the EN2 gene may contribute to up to 40% of autism cases, while another gene called CAPON has been implicated in schizophrenia.
Despite over 100,000 research papers on apoptosis, the process remains unclear due to numerous signaling pathways involved. The 'upstairs/downstairs' model proposes critical steps occur before and after mitochondria breakdown, but identifying key pathways is crucial for developing effective treatments.
A new study published in WorkingUSA argues that vouchers are not a viable solution for evicted Section 8 tenants, as they often lead to gentrification and displacement of low-income communities. The study highlights the importance of community-led initiatives and union organizing to preserve affordable housing and promote social justice.
A new laboratory test has been developed to identify patients at high risk of developing cirrhosis after a liver transplant due to hepatitis C. The test targets hepatic stellate cells, which can produce collagen leading to scarring in infected patients.
Researchers found sea surface height to be a reliable indicator of long-term climate cycles like El Niño. A hydrophone-based system could potentially detect tsunamis by analyzing pressure fluctuations. However, the lack of comprehensive glacier inventories limits understanding of sea level rise connections.
Researchers found that over-expressing a specific proton pump in plant cells enhances auxin transport, leading to stronger root systems and increased foliage. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize agriculture worldwide, particularly for farmers in developing countries.
This book explores the progress of medical and pharmaceutical biotechnology, highlighting its potential to fight major global health concerns like Ebola fever and the human immunodeficiency virus. It also examines regulatory issues, public perceptions, and the social acceptance of this rapidly growing technology.
A comprehensive study of mental disease in Europe found that 27% of the EU population experiences at least one mental disorder. The report highlights critical gaps in knowledge and under-treatment of mental disorders, emphasizing the need for coordinated research and better funding.
Researchers discover that CA4P selectively targets endothelial cells, inducing regression of unstable blood vessels by disrupting VE-cadherin signaling. This breakthrough could lead to new avenues for targeting tumor neo-vessels and increasing the therapeutic window of anti-angiogenic agents.
By mid-century, air quality in the Western United States is expected to decline due to climate change, with a doubling of stagnant days in the region. In contrast, the Midwest may see improved air quality thanks to increased cloud cover, which could offset warming temperatures.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) were found to prescribe antibiotics more appropriately and in line with clinical guidelines than physicians (MDs) for patients with Medicaid insurance. Increased adherence to accepted clinical guidelines and involvement in quality assurance programs are needed to reduce excessive antibiotic use.
A study published in The Lancet found that pioglitazone reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. The treatment group experienced fewer adverse events and a lower risk of death from heart failure compared to the placebo group.
Researchers found that early detection and treatment of age-related macular degeneration with pegaptanib sodium can help patients maintain and, in some cases, regain vision. Patients treated with pegaptanib had a significantly better prognosis than those receiving usual care.
GSK's salmeterol was approved despite concerns over negative side effects and asthma-related deaths. The company allegedly submitted manipulated data to the FDA, suggesting lower risk values than initially reported. This has raised questions about the safety of the drug.
Researchers at EMBL have discovered two types of EJC complexes that determine how NMD deals with defective RNA molecules. The presence or absence of a protein called UPF2 affects the composition of the EJC, influencing how NMD recognizes and breaks down faulty RNAs.
The consensus panel recommends minimizing open surgical biopsies in favor of minimally invasive needle breast biopsies, which can help reduce complications and costs. They also suggest using sentinel lymph node biopsy and MRI for accurate staging and diagnosis.
Researchers have developed a faster method to create antibodies for disease research, enabling the study of proteins at a higher rate. The new technique uses synthetic peptide immunisation and binds specifically to proteins with a precise sequence, producing highly specific antibodies.
Researchers discovered that a specific gene variant can arise as a mutation during cancer development, contributing to tumor growth and spread. The study found the variant in nearly half of liver metastatic tumors, suggesting it may be an important target for new therapies.
Researchers found that language activity in the brain becomes more evenly distributed between both hemispheres with age, allowing for potential rehabilitation. This shift may explain why young children who have had a portion of their brain removed can recover completely.
Scientists found a gene named vav-1 that controls the timing of basic activities in nematode worms, including swallowing food, laying eggs, and defecating. The gene is related to human genes linked to cancer, suggesting it may be used to develop new treatments.
A phase III study found that GARDASIL vaccine prevented 100% of high-grade cervical pre-cancers and non-invasive cancer cases in women infected with HPV types 16 and 18. The vaccine reduced the risk of developing these cancers by 97%, significantly reducing cervical cancer-related deaths worldwide.
Researchers at Lund University and New York University found that participants often fail to notice a change in the outcome of their choice when evaluating facial attractiveness. In addition, they produce confabulatory reports when asked to describe reasons behind their choices, challenging common theories of decision-making.
The Lancet warns that the UK government's NHS privatisation plans are untested and potentially dangerous, risking patient welfare. The journal criticizes Patricia Hewitt's approach to reforming the healthcare system based on ideology rather than evidence.
Researchers found that CA4P selectively targets endothelial cells, inducing regression of unstable vessels by disrupting VE-cadherin signaling. This discovery may lead to new avenues for targeting tumor neo-vessels and increasing the therapeutic window of anti-angiogenic agents.
Sheila West and colleagues found that yearly mass treatment significantly reduced the prevalence of chlamydia trachomatis infection in a Tanzanian community. However, infection re-emerged after 1-year, highlighting the need for sustained antibiotic coverage.
The Contraception Awareness Program at Queen's University has developed an innovative bilingual web site, sexualityandu.ca, which attracts 5,000 hits per day. The site provides information and answers to queries about contraception, safer sex practices, and sexual well-being.
A USC study of over 12,250 patients found that those treated at level I trauma centers had nearly a 20% lower mortality rate than those at level II centers. Patients also had better functional outcomes and were less likely to be severely disabled after discharge.
Duke University Medical Center researchers discovered that an immature egg's internal nutrient supply is critical to its survival. The study found that adding nutrients prolongs the life of eggs and depleting them triggers apoptosis, offering a new route to understanding and treating infertility due to egg death.
A recent MGH study found that nearly 30% of stroke patients judged 'too good to treat' due to mild symptoms actually died or required rehabilitation. The lack of tPA treatment in these patients raised the risk of death and disability, highlighting the need for more cautious decision-making.