Recent medical advances in drug treatment for alcoholics are seen as positive news, but recovery requires a combination of treatments addressing physical, psychological, and spiritual needs. Dr. Marvin D. Seppala emphasizes the need to better define specific subgroups for medication therapies.
Scientists have found that the same DNA sequence is present in both humans and an ancient fish thought to be extinct for millions of years, indicating that mobile DNA elements can be adapted to regulate genes. This discovery suggests that mobile DNA may play a role in evolution's toolbox.
Uninsured adults are less likely to receive preventive services and treatment for chronic illnesses compared to insured adults. Higher-income uninsured individuals also exhibit decreased use of recommended healthcare services, suggesting that lack of insurance is not solely associated with lower-income populations.
A study published in JAMA found that medical management with naltrexone significantly improved drinking rates and days abstinent. The researchers also discovered that combining behavioral therapy with medical management showed better results than treatment with placebos alone.
A study of 53 patients with ovarian cancer found that PET-CT was more accurate than CT alone and PET alone in detecting tumor recurrence. The results suggest earlier and more definitive detection of recurrent ovarian cancer through combining anatomical and functional imaging.
A study by University College London found that middle-aged English people have lower rates of diseases such as diabetes, high-blood pressure, and lung cancer compared to their American peers. The differences were confirmed through analysis of biological markers, suggesting that the health disparities are not just due to reporting biases.
A survey of operating room personnel found that general surgical nurses and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) consistently rated high for teamwork, while surgeons received the lowest scores. The study used the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire to assess safety attitudes in the OR.
The Gerontological Society of America has awarded new Hartford Doctoral Fellowships to five individuals, providing $50,000 in dissertation grants to support their research on various aspects of aging. The fellowships aim to cultivate the next generation of geriatric social work faculty and promote research and education in aging.
The proposed approach would feature conditional approval followed by postmarketing studies required before condition removal. The FDA needs increased ability to regulate drugs after marketing with more resources for postmarketing safety studies.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed thermal interface materials with carbon nanotubes that conduct heat more efficiently than conventional materials. The nanotube-based interfaces can reduce the temperature rise of computer chips by up to 5 degrees Celsius, improving overall performance and reducing the risk of damage.
A study found that consumers are less likely to buy a product if they believe it has been touched by someone else, with the value of the product being perceived as diminished. The researchers determined that disgust is the underlying reason for this phenomenon, and that its level increases with the perception of touch or use.
The Gerontological Society of America has recognized ten faculty scholars from across the US for their outstanding research contributions to the field of aging. The awardees include researchers exploring topics such as caregiver neglect, nursing home psychosocial care and health disparities among older Latinos.
A new study found that adolescents who made virginity pledges were more likely to recant their reports of premarital sex, with 52% disavowing the pledge within a year. This inconsistency makes it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of virginity pledge programs.
Researchers found that combining medical management, naltrexone, or therapy can significantly help people with alcohol disease. The study, COMBINE, included 1,383 subjects and showed that just nine 20-minute sessions with a medical professional yields good clinical results.
The COMBINE study found that medication naltrexone, combined with up to 20 sessions of specialized alcohol counseling and structured medical management, is an effective option for treating alcohol dependence. The study demonstrated a small advantage in preventing relapse at 1 year after treatment.
Research found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and clonidine may provide some evidence of efficacy for reducing menopausal hot flashes. However, the effectiveness of these therapies is less than estrogen therapy and may be limited by adverse effects and cost.
The study reveals that genes use a broad distribution of start sites, allowing for subtle differences in species control. This knowledge could help explain why complex organisms like humans have more genes than simple ones despite similar numbers.
A new study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has shown a DNA-based vaccine to be highly effective in protecting mice against lethal challenges with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The vaccine targets two conserved viral proteins and one variable protein, providing complete protection in mice.
Researchers develop a modified virus that targets telomerase-positive cancer cells, inducing autophagy to kill them. The treatment reduces tumor size and extends survival in mice with malignant glioma. Autophagy is a protective process that cells use to consume part of themselves when nutrients are scarce.
Researchers found that T cells responding to Epstein-Barr virus-encoded nuclear antigen1 (EBNA1) are hyper-reactive and produce interferon-gamma, which shapes immune responses. This hyper-reactivity may trigger the destruction of myelin sheathing in nerve cells, leading to MS.
A study of 21,923 CTC procedures found that automated carbon dioxide delivery reduced perforation rates and improved patient comfort. The findings provide reassurance for patients undergoing screening colonography.
A new study found a strong connection between colic and postpartum depression in demographically diverse women. 19% of mothers reported moderate to severe symptoms of postpartum depression, while 8% reported their babies were difficult to console.
The largest clinical trial on pharmacologic and behavioral treatments for alcohol dependence shows that medication treatment significantly improves outcomes compared to placebo. The study also provides new safety data on prescription drugs naltrexone and acamprosate, suggesting a high degree of comfort for prescribing physicians.
Research highlights the economic burden of daycare-associated illnesses, boosts newborn immunity, identifies predictors of repeat pregnancies among teen mothers, and discusses parental consent in substance abuse research. The studies also explore growth hormone treatment for children with short stature.
The MIRTHE center aims to create low-cost, easy-to-use sensors for medicine, environment, and security. It will utilize quantum cascade lasers to detect chemicals in the air and water.
Researchers found that only 75% of studies met basic criteria for evaluation, highlighting the need for improved reporting in clinical trials. Meanwhile, a lung cancer risk model was found to underestimate actual rates over a 10-year period, while an enzyme-based approach shows promise in killing glioma cells.
Patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy who don't respond to treatment have increased mortality compared to the general population. In contrast, those who become seizure-free at follow-up do not experience a rise in mortality rates.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has awarded the 2006 Leonard M. Rieser Fellowship to four students: Christopher Affolter, Kafui Gbewonyo, Andrew Leifer, and Lee Pearson. These recipients will work on various projects addressing global challenges such as biological weapons proliferation, wastewater irrigation for agriculture, scie...
Researchers at Ohio State University have created a vast repository of casual conversations, labeling every syllable and sound. The Buckeye Speech Corpus offers a unique resource for scientists studying communication, speech sciences, linguistics, and more.
A study of 2,000 US physicians found that their personal religious and spiritual characteristics influence their approach to discussing spirituality with patients. Differences in attitude and behavior reflect varying levels of religiosity among physicians.
The hospital's pediatric radiologists use 64-slice CT scanners with 2D and 3D images to evaluate pediatric trauma cases, providing a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. This superior imaging method improves patient outcomes by helping surgeons decide whether to perform surgery or monitor the patient closely.
A new MRI-guided technique has been shown to treat fibroids in women 60% faster than traditional methods, enabling more patients to receive treatment. The study found that the procedure allowed up to 127 sonications during a three-hour treatment, resulting in marked symptom improvements for most patients.
A study published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry found that multiracial adolescents are more likely to engage in violent behavior, substance abuse, and smoking compared to white, black, or Asian-American youth. Perceived racial discrimination in school and home neighborhoods contributes to these problems.
Researchers found that a vaccine combined with short-term antibiotic treatment can protect nonhuman primates from inhalational anthrax. The study suggests that this combination may be crucial for successful defense against large-scale anthrax attacks, minimizing the risk of adverse events and improving public health management.
According to the study, underage drinkers and pathological drinkers collectively spent at least $48.3 billion on alcohol in 2001, accounting for nearly one-third of total consumer expenditures. The majority of adult drinkers who developed abuse or dependence began drinking before age 21.
OHSU researchers found that beta amyloid can be found both inside and outside of brain cell mitochondria in Alzheimer's mice, suggesting a key role in the disease. Mitochondrial oxidative damage may contribute to the progression of Alzheimer's by producing hydrogen peroxide.
Researchers used HOXB4 to expand hematopoietic stem cells in monkeys, greatly improving their engraftment after radiation damage. The treatment could accelerate the recovery of patients with failed hematopoietic systems by expanding limited numbers of stem cells, such as those found in cord blood.
A study by University of Arizona researchers found that biotech cotton produces similar yields to traditional cotton with fewer pesticides used. The study, which examined 81 commercial cotton fields in Arizona, revealed that growers using Bt cotton needed fewer applications of broad-spectrum insecticides.
A study of male Vietnam veterans and their identical twins found that those with PTSD had higher scores on neurologic tests, indicating subtle brain abnormalities. These findings suggest a dysfunction in the cerebral cortex, which could increase PTSD risk or reduce recovery likelihood.
Researchers used mathematical modeling to simulate worldwide outbreaks and concluded that restrictions on air travel would achieve very little in controlling the spread of a new flu virus. Local measures such as vaccines and antiviral drugs could be more effective in controlling the spread of the virus.
A survey of 314 pairs of parents and children aged 5-14 years found that many mothers are misinformed about the extent of their children's potential access to household guns. Despite discussing gun safety with their children, some parents reported that their children knew where the guns were stored or had handled firearms.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that breast cancer survivors with persistent fatigue have higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine proteins in their blood. Behavioral interventions like tai chi and yoga may help alleviate the fatigue, which affects about a third of breast cancer survivors for years after treatment.
A new study suggests that renal biopsy can help patients avoid kidney removal by identifying benign tumors that don't require surgery. The procedure is safe and effective, with only minor complications reported in the 407 biopsies performed.
Researchers found CT angiography to be highly accurate in detecting high-grade artery stenosis, with excellent visualization of vessels and accurate identification of stenoses. The study emphasizes the importance of combining MD-CTA and vascular ultrasound for surgical planning and therapy.
A three-year study of pediatric residents found that working 80 hours per week led to less fatigue and better patient care. Reduced work hours had the most pronounced effect on first-year residents, who reported fewer issues with patient care, communication, and procedures.
Researchers found that juvenile birds, like chukar partridges, use a form of locomotion called 'wing-assisted incline running' (WAIR) to climb steep slopes. This behavior may have been crucial for the evolution of flight in birds, as it would have provided an advantage when pursuing prey or escaping predators.
Researchers developed a peptide, D6R, that blocks lethal toxins of anthrax by inhibiting furin activity. The peptide has shown promising therapeutic potential against various bacterial infections, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Ebola, without invoking a cytokine response.
Researchers argue that medical journals' reliance on pharmaceutical advertising compromises their credibility, as advertisements often prioritize profitable drugs over others. They propose that journals consider alternative revenue sources to maintain objectivity.
Researchers discovered that prostaglandin E2 activates the pairing of EP1R with beta2AR receptors, reducing their ability to cause muscle relaxation. This may explain why some asthma treatments fail for individuals with elevated PGE2 levels.
A study of 152 patients with diabetes found that taking sertraline significantly reduced the risk of depression recurrence. After one year, 65.8% of patients remained in remission compared to 47.9% on placebo.
A new study found that using a low radiation dose of 30 mAs can achieve high technical success rates for interventional procedures such as biopsies and catheter placements. The study showed that with minimal image quality, procedures can still be successfully performed.
Researchers investigated whether older adults' lower IQ scores are due to aging or sensory deficits. The study found that even subtle perception deficits, such as reduced spatial contrast sensitivity, can significantly impact performance on intelligence tests.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center developed a new formula to predict blood needs in heart surgery, focusing on patient age, weight, and kidney function. The simplified scoring system identifies risk factors for transfusion, aiming to reduce hospital resources and staff time.
A recent study found that extending localizer radiographs and extra axial images beyond defined levels increases radiation exposure. Limiting these areas can significantly reduce radiation dose while maintaining diagnostic quality. The researchers discovered that a total of 562 extra images were acquired in the studied examinations.
A recent study found that an intranasal influenza vaccine was significantly more effective in protecting young children against flu infection than traditional injections. The vaccine, known as CAIV-T, was 55% more effective in reducing influenza-like illness in children.
Researchers have identified a biological marker that predicts persistent fatigue in breast cancer survivors, attributed to inflammation. The biomarker combines immune response elements, including interleukin-6 receptor and T cells with CD69 protein.
A national survey found that approximately 134,071 US adolescents have type 2 diabetes, with 39,005 having the condition and 2,769,736 having impaired fasting glucose levels. The study suggests a significant public health concern among this age group due to the high conversion rate from impaired glucose tolerance to type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center argue that medical journals should ban drug advertisements due to their potential influence on prescribing practices. The authors found that pharmaceutical ads in top medical journals reach a targeted audience and generate high returns for drug companies.
Patients with advanced COPD and rapid lung function decline are 10 times more likely to die than those with normal lung function. The study found that 25% of the population fell into the high-mortality category, with 40 times higher hospitalization rates for those in advanced stages.
The study found that more than 60% of patients experienced a change in their treatment plan due to biopsy results, while as many as 75 unnecessary kidney removals were potentially avoided. The image-guided biopsy technique showed higher success rates compared to old techniques, allowing for better tissue sampling and accurate diagnosis.