A study by Geisinger Health System researchers found that EHR-based programs tripled the rate of osteoporosis screenings in at-risk women. High-risk women accounted for about half of those screened, highlighting the potential of EHRs to identify and prevent fractures related to osteoporosis.
The GreeneChip device uses nearly 30,000 pieces of genetic material to identify pathogens in human fluid and tissue samples. This technology enables rapid and specific diagnosis of emerging infectious diseases, including a previously undiagnosed fatal case of malaria.
A study of 160,000 women screened in their 40s compared to those in their 50s found little change in estimated overall survival. The authors conclude that the benefits of early detection may outweigh the risks of radiation-induced breast cancer, but the uncertainty remains too great to make a definitive recommendation.
The UK has launched a £20 million project to develop medicines specifically for children, addressing the lack of proper testing on young patients. The Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN) aims to improve treatment and care through new research and partnerships with healthcare professionals, parents, and pharmaceutical industry.
A global strategy to improve health in developing countries requires a globally representative selection of discussants. The World Health Organization's Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property meeting excludes more than half of its member states, perpetuating the problems it aims to address.
Researchers discovered a new biomarker that predicts which tumors will resist anti-estrogen therapy, potentially improving treatment outcomes for breast cancer patients. The study found that disrupted retinoblastoma tumor suppressor pathway can lead to resistance to these therapies.
Researchers used a natural protein called BMP4 to inhibit glioblastoma, a deadly human brain cancer, in mice by targeting stem-cell-like clusters that feed the cancer. The treatment was successful in stopping cancer growth and improving survival rates.
The discovery of Little Foot, an Australopithecus fossil, has been revised to be around 2.2 million years old, pushing it back from earlier estimates of 3-4 million years. The findings suggest that Little Foot is a distant cousin rather than a direct ancestor of humans.
MIT scientists engineered a new strain of yeast that can tolerate elevated levels of ethanol and glucose, producing ethanol faster than un-engineered yeast. This breakthrough could dramatically impact industrial ethanol production, boosting the US energy supply.
A new case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) linked to a blood transfusion has been confirmed in the UK. The patient developed symptoms six years after receiving a contaminated blood sample from a donor who later died from vCJD. Early diagnosis and monitoring are crucial for affected individuals.
Researchers developed a DNA cassette allowing insertion of a nanomechanical device into a DNA array. The device enables manipulation of the array at specific sites, with potential applications in synthetic fibers, information encryption, and DNA-based computation.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers discovered novel functions of the Sen1 protein, which acts as a master regulatory switch in yeast. This discovery may help understand human neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and movement disorders.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions president urges the FDA to consider the benefits of drug-eluting stents when evaluating risks. The use of these devices has been linked to a slightly higher risk of late blood clot formation, but the benefits of preventing restenosis outweigh the risks.
Adults in consumer-driven plans spend large shares of their income on out-of-pocket costs and premiums. People with lower incomes are less likely to contribute to their accounts.
A recent study by Marie Thursby and Jerry Thursby found that 49.6% of R&D effort in developed nations is for new science, while in emerging countries it's only 22%, suggesting universities play a crucial role in driving innovation.
Archaea are more closely related to humans than previously thought, with a common ancestor living in extreme conditions billions of years ago. Scientists have discovered novel organic compounds and found evidence of ancient archaea fossils, shedding light on their role in global climate change and methane emissions from rice farming.
A large NIH-commissioned study found no evidence that hormonal contraception increases a woman's chances of becoming infected with HIV. The study followed thousands of women in Africa and compared their patterns of contraceptive use to their risk of infection with HIV, finding no statistically significant difference.
A new study has identified dihydrocodeine as an equally effective alternative to expensive methadone treatment for heroin addiction. The prescription painkiller is cheaper, safer and less toxic, with estimated annual costs of £713 compared to £1,500 for methadone.
The sea urchin genome shares significant similarities with the human genome, including genes associated with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases. The discovery could hold key insights into developing new treatments and therapies.
A novel program in Panama trains professionals to advance drug discovery, reducing costs and promoting tropical biodiversity conservation. The International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups (ICBG) program provides economic and educational benefits for local students and communities.
Scientists have found that an ancient global warming event, the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, was caused by a massive release of carbon, which heated the planet by 9°F in less than 10,000 years. The research suggests that the climate is even more sensitive to added CO2 than previously thought.
Rensselaer will receive a $2.23 million IBM Blue Gene supercomputer to support new nanotechnology and biotechnology research, helping develop simulation technologies for understanding biological systems and advancing computational science.
Researchers developed a rapid 3D cell-growth technique that produces organized heart muscle tissue capable of generating pulsating forces and reacting to stimulation. The technique uses fibrin gel to support rat cardiac cells, resulting in tissue with significantly better properties than previous methods.
Research suggests that T-beta-RIII can suppress breast cancer progression by blocking TGF-beta signaling. Low levels of T-beta-RIII are associated with decreased recurrence-free survival in patients with breast cancer.
Researchers discovered a potential strategy for treating metastatic melanoma by combining an antibody with radiation, leveraging insights from studying a fungus that causes infection in people with AIDS. The treatment approach shows promise in inhibiting tumor growth and inducing regression in mice with small melanoma tumors.
Adolescents who use substances alone are more likely to have health and behavioral problems as young adults than their peers who consume substances in social settings. Solitary users tend to report poorer physical health by age 23, lower grades, and less engagement with school.
A study found that two-thirds of ICU patients who gave informed consent to clinical trials did not remember the purpose and risks. Most patients remembered participating in the trial, but lacked recall of specific details.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine discover that sildenafil and other erectile dysfunction drugs can unmask cancer cells, allowing the immune system to recognize and attack them. The study found that these drugs reduce tumor size in mice with colon and breast tumors by increasing nitric oxide levels.
A new study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the University of Washington found that malaria increases HIV transmission to sex partners by up to 10 times. HIV-infected individuals are also more susceptible to malaria infections due to their compromised immune systems, fueling a rise in adult malaria-infection rates.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that harvesting aggressive stem cells from donated bone marrow can reduce the time it takes for a child's immune system to rebuild after a bone marrow transplant. This could lead to lower risk of fatal virus infections and improved long-term outcomes.
Men with knee osteoarthritis who smoke experience greater cartilage loss and more severe pain than non-smokers. Smoking is a potentially modifiable risk factor for worsening knee osteoarthritis.
Researchers discovered that changes in expression of one component of the TGF-beta receptor, T-beta-RIII, might provide a mechanism for the distinct effects of TGF-beta at different stages of breast cancer. Additionally, analysis of RB functionality could help clinicians determine the most effective therapy for their patients.
Researchers found that cutting back on cigarettes led to quitting in 16 out of 19 studies. Smokers who reduced their smoking intake experienced similar cessation rates as those receiving smoking cessation advice.
Scientists have engineered yeast to improve ethanol production efficiency by increasing tolerance to high ethanol levels and producing more ethanol during fermentation. The new strain of yeast can survive elevated ethanol concentrations and produces 50% more ethanol in a shorter period.
Researchers have developed a way to precisely control magnetic fields in thin magnetic films, enabling the storage of information in permanent memory. The new technology allows for faster and more efficient data storage, overcoming the limitations of current hard drive technology.
New satellite data show that ocean warming is reducing phytoplankton growth, imperiling ocean fisheries and marine life. Phytoplankton are responsible for about the same amount of photosynthesis as all plants on land combined, making their decline a significant threat to the food chain.
A nationwide panel recommends ranking hospitalized patients by their risk level and assigning a score-based system to make decisions about discharging or transferring patients in emergency situations. This approach could safely empty 70% of hospital beds within 72 hours, improving resource allocation and patient care during disasters.
A year-long study found that enzyme replacement therapy reduced the risk of death in children with Pompe disease by 99 percent. The treatment, which involves replacing the deficient enzyme acid a-glucosidase, was shown to improve respiratory performance and reduce the need for ventilators.
Researchers pinpointed paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEPD) to specific porelike sodium channels in peripheral nerve cells, highlighting the role of such channel disorders in inflammatory pain. Mutations in SCN9A gene were found to be responsible for at least two-thirds of PEPD cases.
Researchers at Rice University and UT Austin have identified a promising antiviral drug target in the long, flexible tail of the nucleoprotein protein. Minor changes to this region prevent the protein from fulfilling its role in structural columns that transmit viral copies.
Analyses of a classic, slow-rupturing tsunami earthquake have provided insight into seismologists and engineers. The data revealed a secondary underwater movement that amplified the original tsunami, creating a wave run-up of over 60 feet along a one-mile section of coastline.
Researchers found that different parts of the brain are activated depending on the cause of itching, with allergen-induced itches activating the supplementary motor and posterior parietal areas. Histamine-induced itches, on the other hand, activate a smaller area of the brain, suggesting a compulsion to scratch in those cases.
Researchers detail transcription network driving muscle development in C. elegans and propose evolutionary conserved program across animals. Three transcription factors redundantly control body wall muscle development in worms, with corresponding vertebrate factors playing key roles in myogenesis.
A 10-year satellite-based analysis found that global warming reduces marine life and phytoplankton production, which removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and fuels ocean ecosystems. This study reveals a tight link between climate change and ocean productivity, highlighting the importance of understanding this feedback mechanism.
Researchers found that cocaine affects dopamine and glutamate receptors, interfering with normal activation of glutamate receptors. This interaction between D2R and NR2B subunits is critical for mediating cocaine's effect on motor responses.
A new study reveals that insomnia and sleep perception can significantly impact alcohol recovery, with patients who overestimate their sleep quality being more likely to relapse. The research suggests addressing sleep disturbances is crucial for effective recovery.
A five-year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that Gleevec has a nearly 90% overall survival rate for patients with CML, significantly improving patient outcomes compared to previous estimates of five years.
Thousands of statin users worldwide are suffering preventable heart attacks due to sub-optimal use or low doses. Researchers found that only 20% of low-dose users experienced significant risk reduction compared to high-dose users.
Research in Birmingham, UK found that children who walked less were more likely to worry about strangers, lack of local parks, and prefer car travel. Higher walking levels correlated with perceptions of heavy traffic, yet these views didn't deter kids from walking.
A longitudinal US study explores how individuals respond to national trauma and their long-term health outcomes. The research found that people's initial emotional response to a disaster, their approach to coping with the trauma, and their demographic background significantly impacted their health over time.
A new project led by Dr Padraic Monaghan will investigate the mechanism of language processing that determines stress in words, potentially aiding the treatment of reading difficulties and second language learning. The research may also provide insights into neurological representations of language and recovery following brain injury.
A recent study in Nature supports the traditional theory of mantle plumes as the source of volcanic islands. Researchers found a close correlation between modeled and observed ratios of uranium-series isotopes across eight island locations, allowing them to estimate changes in temperature, speed, and size of mantle plumes.
Researchers at University of California - San Diego have developed fiber-reinforced polymer composites that quadruple the toughness of dental composites. Braided polyethylene fibers performed best, increasing toughness by up to 433% compared to the composite alone.
Researchers at Brown University have solved the structure of a DNA-protein complex that aids in site-specific recombination, a process that allows mobile DNA to cut into chromosomes. The discovery provides new insights into how this process shapes species over time and its role in spreading antibiotic resistance and certain diseases.
A team of researchers from Baylor College of Medicine has found a key component in the formation of long-term memory in fruit flies. The study showed that increased calcium influx into mushroom body neurons parallels the creation of new synapses associated with long-term memory, and can be blocked by specific laboratory techniques.
Researchers are studying how unicellular micro-algae, known as diatoms, create complex cell walls and aim to learn from their intricate micro-architectures. Genetic engineering of diatoms using microparticle bombardment enables the insertion of mutated or foreign genes into the genome, potentially leading to novel silica nanostructures.
Research reveals two isoforms of glutamine synthetase determine major yield components in maize: kernel size and number. Nitrogen retranslocation dominates grain filling, improving nitrogen use efficiency and yields with reduced fertilizer inputs.
Astronomers found that black holes of all sizes follow the same 'feeding' process, with characteristic timescales changing linearly with mass and inversely with accretion rate. This discovery helps determine black hole masses in hard-to-reach cases.
Researchers have identified a DNA marker that is 99% effective in flagging the presence of Lr34 and Yr18 rust resistance genes. This breakthrough enables breeders to quickly test seedlings for these genes, allowing them to incorporate durable rust resistance into new wheat varieties.
Researchers found that seven commonly prescribed hypertension medications can prevent beta-amyloid build-up and slow cognitive decline in animal models. The study identifies Propranololo-HCL as a potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's prevention, but further human trials are needed to confirm these findings.