Researchers identify EP1R as a key player in failed asthma treatments, revealing its interaction with beta2-adrenergic receptors. The discovery opens up new avenues for developing selective drugs to treat severe asthma in individuals who don't respond to current therapies.
A study found that HDL from CETP-deficient individuals promotes enhanced cholesterol efflux from macrophages through an apoE- and ABCG1-dependent pathway. This finding raises hope for using a CETP inhibitor to elevate HDL levels and reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis.
Researchers found that follow-up PET scans showed persistent tumor activity in seven out of eleven RFA treatments. This suggests that FDG-PET is a more accurate method for evaluating tumor destruction than CT alone.
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that people in the US tend to underestimate their weight and overestimate their height, leading to inaccurate obesity rates. The research suggests that Southern states have the highest levels of obesity, with Texas and Mississippi topping the list for men and women.
Researchers are developing a minimally invasive procedure to treat herniated disks, eliminating the need for incision. The new approach uses X-ray guidance to insert a needle directly into the disk, removing the problematic nucleus and providing relief from pressure on nearby nerves and inflammation.
The PACT software provides a framework that protects metadata while enabling semantic interoperation and sharing of information. It automatically regulates access to data, preserving security while allowing permitted access.
Researchers have developed a technique using iron oxide nanoparticles to group together in cancerous tumors, creating masses detectable by MRI machines. This method has the potential to replace traditional treatments like radiation or chemotherapy with fewer side effects.
A Penn State study found that perfectionist fathers can reinforce negative eating habits in their sons and daughters, which can lead to anorexia and other clinical illnesses. The researchers suggest that treating maladaptive eating disorders requires a focus on the patient's relational network, including communication with parents.
A study of over 2,700 children found that maternal mental health problems, substance abuse, and domestic violence can contribute to behavioral issues in children. As the number of reported difficulties increases, so does the risk of aggression, anxiety, depression, inattention, and hyperactivity in kids.
A small study of bronchial thermoplasty found significant improvement in airway responsiveness and symptom-free days among 16 asthma patients. The procedure, which reduces airway smooth muscle mass, was well-tolerated with transient side effects.
A study of 80 moderately obese patients found that laparoscopic gastric banding led to a significant average weight loss of 21.6 percent, compared to 5.5 percent in the nonsurgical group. Lifestyle modification can also achieve up to 10 percent weight loss.
Researchers found that freezing kidney tumors using percutaneous cryoablation destroyed 95% of tumors in short-term follow-up. The treatment is performed through small skin nicks and can be done under general anesthesia, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional surgery.
A study of 157 women with acute pelvic pain found that both CT scans and ultrasounds were highly sensitive and accurate in diagnosing the condition. The researchers concluded that patients are unlikely being over-imaged, and that both imaging techniques can be used effectively in emergency settings.
UCSB researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding proteases by developing a general combinatorial approach to identify optimal substrates. This technology has the potential to regulate protein function, enabling the development of pharmaceuticals that control protease activity. With nearly all protease targets expec...
A study of 103 countries found an estimated 3.2 million stillbirths worldwide each year, with rates ranging from 5 per 1000 in rich countries to 32 per 1000 in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The true figure is likely higher due to under-reporting.
A new study finds that MRI cystography is an accurate and safe alternative to conventional X-ray cystography for diagnosing ureteral reflux. The researchers discovered that MRI can detect scarring of the kidneys and loss of kidney tissue, related to the extent of kidney damage from VUR, better than conventional X-ray cystography.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that seasonal childhood anaemia in West Africa is associated with the haptoglobin 2-2 genotype. The research suggests a link between this genetic variation and the development of anaemia during periods of high malaria prevalence.
Researchers found that schools with rigid tracking, unchallenging curricula, and punitive policies are more likely to have students drop out. The study highlights the importance of modeling within-school interactions in understanding how social divisions affect student outcomes.
A National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) workshop has led to the creation of a shared framework for artificial intelligence in machines. This agreement enables machines to interpret commands with near human common sense, potentially transforming manufacturing processes.
A new study finds that blue-throated male lizards exhibit true altruism through cooperative partnerships to protect territories. Genetic analysis reveals the complex interaction of multiple genes controlling this behavior, offering insights into the evolution of altruistic cooperation.
A Université de Montréal study found that boys identified as hyperactive, fearless, and not prosocial at age six are 6 times more likely to join a deviant peer group. Family adversity also increases the risk of early gang affiliation.
A new study found that lead exposure affects executive function in children with ADHD, particularly those with certain genetic variations. The research suggests that boys are more vulnerable to the negative effects of lead exposure on attentional flexibility.
Researchers found that medication may delay the onset of psychosis in schizophrenia patients, leading to improved treatment outcomes and reduced symptoms. The study suggests that early recognition and treatment can help prevent or delay the development of full-blown psychosis in individuals with prodromal symptoms.
A recent study has found that children living within 75 meters of a major road are at a 50% greater risk of having had asthma symptoms in the past year. The research also showed that higher traffic volumes on roads were related to increased rates of asthma, with risk decreasing further away from the road.
A recent study published in American Journal of Roentgenology found that higher strength MRI can detect shoulder cartilage tears with high accuracy, allowing doctors to diagnose and treat the condition without surgery. This non-invasive approach has significant benefits for patients, especially athletes who are prone to such injuries.
Despite positive changes, reducing neonatal deaths and improving newborn health in high-mortality countries remains a significant challenge. The Lancet Neonatal Series emphasizes the need for governments, partners, and donors to work together to develop country action plans and invest strategically in maternal, neonatal, and child care.
A study by Oregon Health & Science University reveals that low-dose melatonin taken in the afternoon can help most people with winter depression whose bodily rhythms are out of sync. The treatment was found to be effective for those who were naturally 'night owls', while morning larks responded better to taking melatonin in the morning.
A cost-effectiveness study found that six out of eight newborn screening tests were not only cost-effective but also cost-saving. The tests identified rare disorders such as hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria, which can have significant impacts on children's health and development.
Researchers found that melatonin improved sleep efficiency during non-natural sleep periods, but not during natural sleep cycles. The study used 36 healthy young adults who took melatonin supplements to aid sleep at irregular times.
Research reveals that human T cells lack expression of certain 'Siglec' molecules, which regulate T cell activation in nonhuman primates. This absence may contribute to the disparity in disease susceptibility between humans and great apes. The study highlights the potential for Siglecs to act as a 'brake' on T cell activation.
A 30-year study published in the journal Diabetes found that type 1 diabetics showed improved mortality and morbidity rates for certain complications, but cardiovascular disease rates remained unchanged. The study suggests that focusing solely on blood-glucose control is insufficient to prevent long-term complications of type 1 diabetes.
Adolescents who play sports tend to have better eating habits and nutrient intake compared to their non-sporting peers. In contrast, nearly half of children and young adults with diabetes fail to meet daily nutritional requirements, posing a significant challenge for disease management.
A new study reveals that combined contrast enhanced MRI (CCE-MRI) closely matches the staging of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) using conventional pathology. CCE-MRI offers a safer alternative to invasive liver biopsy, directly visualizing fibrosis and detecting liver cancers simultaneously.
Researchers evaluated 92 patients with bladder cancers using MDCT and found 87 tumors, regardless of whether contrast was used. They also discovered that new CT technology can scan rapidly enough to evaluate the bladder fully, potentially obviating the need for invasive cystoscopy.
A new study finds that using PET and CT scans together during radiation therapy planning reduces errors due to patient motion, allowing for more accurate targeting of cancer cells. This approach may lead to more effective treatment with lower side effects.
A study found that patients with HIV-HBV coinfection can successfully undergo liver transplantation without progression of viral disease, even in the setting of lamivudine resistance. Controlling HBV is crucial for survival, and ongoing monitoring will be essential to minimize liver-related complications.
Researchers will investigate the biological processes linking exercise with disease in children, examining how exercise impacts growth, development, and immune function. The goal is to develop effective exercise programs to lower obesity rates and improve health outcomes for children with chronic diseases.
A McMaster University study found that employees are more willing to share knowledge with trusted colleagues who treat them fairly. The reluctance to share knowledge leads to a contagious tendency to hide important information, causing productivity to suffer.
Research found that mothers with prenatal cocaine exposure reported high symptoms of depression and behavioral problems in children. However, these issues were more closely linked to maternal depression than the prenatal exposure itself.
Researchers discovered a single base pair change in the aquaporin-2 protein gene, leading to improper distribution and resulting in up to 30 times more urine being produced. This study provides new insights into congenital progressive hydronephrosis, a condition that can lead to kidney failure and death if left untreated.
A study analyzed MRIs of 24 patients with ischemic stroke to identify signs at increased risk for skull hemorrhaging. The researchers found that patients with parenchymal enhancement or hyperintense MCA sign may be at higher risk for developing hemorrhagic complications after tPA treatment.
A study of 225 children exposed to at least five cigarettes a day found a significant relationship between cotinine levels and increases in acting out, anxiety, depression, and behavior problems. The study suggests that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is a risk factor for child behavior problems.
Disparities in health status persisted for one or more minority groups, with Asian Pacific Islanders facing inferior oral health and Native Americans experiencing hearing/vision problems. The study also found disparities in care, including lack of health insurance and communication issues with usual sources of care.
A whole-genome study at Johns Hopkins reveals a new gene, NOS1AP, associated with abnormal heart rhythm and increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Approximately 60% of European descent individuals carry a variant of this gene linked to QT interval length.
Research suggests that the Internet can provide essential social support for isolated adolescents and improve academic achievement in low-income youth. However, online interactions may also normalize self-destructive behaviors and expose vulnerable individuals to potentially damaging communities. Additionally, the Internet has been fou...
A study by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that primary care physicians discuss safety devices with parents for less than five minutes, on average. Parents reported being educated about car seats and smoke detectors most frequently.
Researchers found that oxidized nucleobases in human DNA are associated with hotspots of genetic recombination and polymorphism. The distribution of these abnormally placed adenine nucleotides is not random but clustered in chromosomal regions with high meiotic recombination rates.
A new study at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has successfully reduced verbal medical order errors to zero through the implementation of a simple read-back process. The study involved 70 consecutive orders, resulting in an error rate of 9.1 percent, with most errors being dosages that would not have affected safety.
A school-based quality initiative improved asthma outcomes for children with severe asthma, increasing perfect care to 84% and asthma-related emergency room visits by 22%. The project demonstrates the effectiveness of community partnerships and evidence-based care in improving child health.
A recent study found that mothers often inaccurately perceive their children's body weight, with those who described their children as having good or excellent health status being more likely to have overweight children. The study highlights the importance of effective communication between pediatricians and parents in addressing child...
A recent study found that only 3.7% of parents received a referral to an appropriate community agency by their pediatrician due to childhood aggression concerns. Pediatricians cite difficulties in identifying local resources and insurance issues as major barriers.
Researchers used gold beads to visualize slow phenomena in the eye, such as growth and fast eye movement. The study showed that three-quarters of the implanted beads remained stable over six months.
Dr. Andreasen, a leading expert on schizophrenia, receives Vanderbilt Prize for Biomedical Science for her groundbreaking research and mentorship of women in science. The award includes a $25,000 prize and establishes a scholarship to support a promising M.D./Ph.D. candidate.
A new study will develop a cohort of 1,000 HIV-infected IDUs with a history of injection drug use to examine treatment access and adherence. The research aims to improve access to life-saving HIV and HCV treatments for marginalized individuals in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
Researchers at NIST have successfully trapped erbium atoms using laser cooling, enabling the creation of a Bose-Einstein condensate and producing single photons with potential uses in telecommunications. The technique holds promise for developing novel devices and applications in quantum computing and materials science.
Researchers at JILA improved molecular measurement precision, enabling tests of the fine structure constant's evolution over time. This could reveal changes in the strength of electromagnetic interactions.
The NIH is facing a decline in success rates for grant applications, but experts argue that the agency is a victim, not a culprit. The critics' misplaced anger threatens to undermine the credibility of the NIH with its patrons and public constituencies.
A recent study found that nearly two-thirds of colon cancer patients who stopped chemotherapy died sooner than those who completed treatment, with survivors receiving longer-term benefits. The research highlights the importance of adherence to chemotherapy regimens for colon cancer patients.
Researchers found that mice born to mothers with senile amyloidosis exhibited elevated levels of amyloid fibrils, accelerating disease onset. The presence of fibrils in the milk of affected mothers was confirmed, demonstrating transmission via nursing.
A new biosensor technology has been developed that uses static electricity to layer proteins on carbon nanotubes, allowing for precise detection of biological chemicals and environmental agents. The technique enables enzymes to self-assemble in a layer-by-layer manner on the nanotube, resulting in improved sensitivity and specificity.