A study of over 6,600 children found that those raised in Steiner schools had lower rates of allergic symptoms and diagnoses compared to non-Steiner peers. Early antibiotic use and vaccinations were linked to increased allergy risks.
A team from MIT and Harvard found that a certain type of X-ray explosion common on neutron stars is never seen around their black hole cousins, indicating the presence of an event horizon. The absence of surface explosions called X-ray bursts suggests that gas released by nearby stars vanishes into a void.
Researchers at UC Berkeley will invite Internet users to help them search for interstellar dust grains captured by NASA's Stardust spacecraft. The 'virtual microscope' technology allows anyone with an internet connection to scan images of aerogel for tracks left by speeding dust, in hopes of discovering grains from distant stars.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics has identified a genetic region on chromosome 10 strongly associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The researchers scanned over 1,400 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and found six genes within this region that may be involved in the development of the disease.
Researchers searched for dwarf galaxies in nearby galaxy cloud using Two Micron All Sky Survey and Very Large Telescope. However, no stars were detected, suggesting alternative explanations for the missing galaxies.
Researchers at Rice University developed a new magnetic method to overcome the 'dark exciton effect' in semiconducting nanotubes, which could enable more efficient optical signals and reduced power demands in next-generation microchips.
A Yale study reveals how toll-like receptors recognize viral infections without self-DNA recognition, highlighting potential for treating autoimmune disorders like SLE. The research also shows that TLR localization is crucial in maintaining the balance between viral and self nucleic acid recognition.
Astronomers have discovered that massive clouds of hot gas in elliptical galaxies are being stirred up by intermittent explosive activity from central super-massive black holes. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that these galaxies are quiet and stable, revealing a more dynamic and stormy reality.
The study found that non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-resistant viruses have an advantage over sensitive viruses even at low levels of adherence. NNRTI and protease inhibitors are potent antiretroviral drugs with demonstrated effectiveness when taken as directed.
Researchers analyzed data from the REACH Registry to determine the prevalence and treatment of atherosclerosis risk factors in 67,888 patients from 44 countries. The study found that high proportions of patients had hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes.
The study found that direct ophthalmology-related resource use increased with disease severity, resulting in higher costs. The average direct cost of treatment ranged from $623 to $2,511 per patient per year, with medication costs being the largest proportion of total direct cost.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a new bone tissue engineering material using amorphous calcium phosphates, which they believe could lead to faster and higher quality bone formation. The team's work, in collaboration with the American Dental Association, is currently in press for several scientific journals.
A Hopkins investigation found that a newly introduced catheter valve was linked to a spike in bloodstream infections in the pediatric intensive care unit. The team identified mechanical issues with the device as the likely source of infection, highlighting the need for closer monitoring of technology's safety.
A longitudinal study found that breast cancer survivors experience persistent fatigue in a minority of cases, highlighting their resilience. Factors associated with fatigue include depressive symptoms, pain control problems, and treatment with radiation and chemotherapy.
A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that most snowmobiling injuries in children are caused by ejection, falls or collisions. Education on helmet use, reducing speeds and increasing state regulations can significantly reduce these types of injuries.
A study examining nearly 4 million cars found that newer models tend to be cleaner, while older vehicles emit more pollutants. The study also found that some car makes, such as Hyundai and Mitsubishi, are more prone to failing emissions tests due to their age and maintenance.
A recent study found that glaciers in Pacific North America underwent a regionally-extensive expansion during the first millennium AD, contradicting previous assumptions about past glacier activity. This discovery suggests that regional climate cycles have cycled from warmer to colder intervals several times over the last 10,000 years.
A study published in PNAS reveals that Amazonian soils support complex microbial communities, with diversity varying by soil pH and temperature. The research, led by Noah Fierer and Robert Jackson, uses DNA fingerprinting to compare microbial species diversity across North and South America.
The Specialty Excellence Awards recognize hospitals with the lowest risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates in eight specialty areas. HealthGrades analyzed star ratings for procedures and diagnoses to determine the top 10% of hospitals nationwide, highlighting exceptional patient outcomes across various specialties.
Researchers found that childhood sexual abuse, poor parent-child relationships, and low social support were common risk factors for depression in both men and women. However, the study revealed that childhood parental loss and low self-esteem were more potent variables in men than in women.
Research suggests that sexual orientation influences how people perceive individual faces, particularly in the brain's reward circuitry. The study found that heterosexual women and homosexual men responded more strongly to male faces, while heterosexual men and homosexual women responded more to female faces.
Researchers identified two forms of mild cognitive impairment that progress at the same rate to Alzheimer's disease. Using 3D brain imaging, they found distinct patterns of brain damage in people with MCI-A and MCI-MCD, suggesting new avenues for diagnosis and treatment.
A 24-week open-label extension trial found memantine beneficial for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, maintaining clinically relevant benefits. The study showed an adverse event profile similar to the double-blind phase, supporting the drug's safety for long-term use.
Tumor cells that border normal tissue exhibit distinct behavior, losing surface proteins and gaining the ability to dissolve matrix surrounding cells. This change signals activation of proteins allowing tumor cells to migrate, posing a risk for metastasis. The discovery highlights the importance of tumor environment in cancer progression.
College students who have positive role models such as clergy, Boy Scout leaders, friends, and college advisers exhibit less willingness to adopt questionable ethical behavior in negotiations. In contrast, those with negative role models like journalists and coaches tend to be more accepting of unethical tactics.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, administering bone marrow stem cells to patients with acute myocardial infarction resulted in a significant reduction of the infarct size and improved regional left ventricle function. The findings suggest potential benefits for targeted clinical and pre-clinical research.
Researchers characterize 161 unique RNA genes in introns of protein-coding genes, revealing new insights into developmental processes and regulatory mechanisms in nematodes.
Researchers have discovered a new treatment option for thyroid cancer that allows patients to continue their thyroid hormone replacement therapy while undergoing radioiodine treatment, reducing unpleasant side effects. This breakthrough could improve the overall quality of life for thyroid cancer patients during treatment.
Researchers at Imperial College London have made a significant breakthrough in protein crystal formation using a novel porous material called BioGlass. The team successfully induced the crystallization of the largest number of proteins ever achieved using a single nucleant, offering new hope for drug discovery.
A new plant-based system rapidly produces high levels of antigens that confer immunity against the plague. Guinea pigs vaccinated with the new antigen exhibited higher survival rates compared to traditional vaccines.
Researchers found that patients who consistently took aspirin had a 42% reduction in risk of death, while beta-blocker and lipid-lowering medicine users saw 37% and 48% reductions respectively. However, consistent use was low for these medications, with only 71% of aspirin users taking it regularly.
Researchers found that fruit fly species D. sechellia develops a specialized olfactory system to detect the morinda fruit, which is toxic to other species. This unique system involves increased numbers and sensitivity of specific olfactory hairs, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation in just a limited time span.
Researchers have discovered that polyphosphate accelerates blood clotting and delays its breakdown, leading to longer-lasting clots. The Center for Hemostasis Research at the University of Illinois will continue to study this discovery to develop effective treatments for uncontrollable bleeding.
Researchers discovered a single mutation in human TRIM5 gene that impairs its ability to defend against retroviruses, including HIV. This mutation occurs at high frequency in some ethnic groups and may have contributed to the evolution of impaired retroviral defense genes.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that aggressive surgery greatly improves survival rates for patients with the most severe disease spread. Radical surgery was shown to improve five-year survival rates by 44% compared to non-radical surgery, indicating it aids in survival rather than increasing risk.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method to track neuronal cell death in the hippocampus, a key memory center, which may lead to early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that 49% of Alzheimer's patients and 24% of mild cognitive impairment patients showed significant density decreases.
Researchers used GISS Model E-R to simulate a massive freshwater flood into the North Atlantic around 8,200 years ago and found it had moderate effects on global temperatures. The study suggests that similar events may have occurred in the past and can inform our understanding of future climate scenarios.
A new study verifies Namenda's effectiveness in slowing cognitive decline and improving daily activities in patients with severe Alzheimer's disease. The medication maintained its benefits when continued treatment was added to the original 28-week study.
A recent study by University of Washington researcher Scott Reynolds found that people who focus on the ends (consequences) are less sensitive to ethical issues involving rule violations. In contrast, those who prioritize means (morality) recognize both harmful and non-harmful situations as ethical issues.
Astronomers have found a massive star cluster in the Milky Way, consisting of 14 supergiants with a total mass of at least 20,000 solar masses. This discovery may challenge existing massive star formation models and provides valuable insights into the evolution of these stars.
Researchers discovered that zebra finches store auditory memories of caregivers' songs in a specific part of the brain involved in hearing, which may underlie vocal learning in songbirds and provide clues to human speech acquisition. This finding supports independent evidence from Patricia Kuhl's work on infant language development.
A new study analyzing data from the Extended Groth Strip Survey found that galaxy weights play a crucial role in determining star formation rates. Researchers discovered that heavy galaxies form stars early and rapidly, while smaller galaxies form their stars over longer timescales.
A new way to stimulate the brain to release antioxidants has been discovered by researchers, potentially treating ischemic stroke, multiple sclerosis, and neurodegenerative disorders. The NEPPs compound activates the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway to regulate antioxidant production, offering a promising approach for neuroprotection.
A study of 2,805 US workers found that 1.8% have consumed alcohol before work and 7.1% drink during the day, with men and younger workers more affected. Most workplace alcohol use is infrequent, but its impact on productivity and safety is significant.
A study of over 1,000 male veterans found that prostate cancer screening with PSA testing did not prolong survival. Researchers compared men who died from prostate cancer to those living with the disease and found no difference in screening rates.
A large epidemiological study in Vietnam suggests that avian flu transmission to humans is more common than previously recognized, with symptoms often mild and requiring close contact with infected poultry. The study found that direct contact with sick or dead poultry was the highest risk factor for developing flu-like illness.
A study found that 50% tomato juice drink completely prevented smoke-induced emphysema in mice, with lycopene cited as a key contributor. Researchers believe the model can be used to explore pathophysiology and therapeutic intervention for human diseases.
A comprehensive update of E. coli K-12 genes has been published, providing a centralized resource for the scientific community. The project, led by MBL scientists, aims to improve understanding of gene function and accelerate laboratory work.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that screening for prostate cancer does not necessarily prolong survival. The research, which included over 72,000 veterans, showed that even men who received screenings were not at lower risk of death from prostate cancer.
A team of scientists measured gas motions within 10 light-years of a supermassive black hole, confirming main theories at unprecedented scales. The observations revealed dynamic shifts in the gas and showed spiral arms pulling gas from distant regions.
Researchers identified a preclinical phase of Parkinson's disease characterized by mild motor symptoms, which can be detected through assessment of subjective complaints. Over 6,000 elderly people were studied for an average of 5.8 years, revealing that those who reported stiffness, tremors or imbalance were more likely to develop PD.
A genetic mutation, CCR5delta32, makes individuals more susceptible to West Nile virus infections. Research suggests that this lack of a protein can prevent protective immune cells from reaching the brain, increasing the risk of severe disease.
A novel software program automatically analyzes spa sequences linked to epidemiological information, triggering alarms for suspected outbreaks. This combination of medical informatics and molecular laboratory techniques can help prevent MRSA outbreaks from expanding into large-scale events.
Researchers found that sleep-restricted rats showed reduced neurogenesis in the hippocampus after learning a spatial task. However, those who used visual and odor cues to navigate had better performance on the task, suggesting an adaptive strategy to compensate for lack of sleep.
A study of 257 breast cancer patients aged 55+ found that Hispanic women were more likely to identify a family member as the final decision-maker for treatment. This led to lower rates of breast-conserving surgery compared to mastectomy in these patients. The study highlights the importance of acknowledging patients' family members in ...
A study published in Archives of Ophthalmology found that patients with end-stage glaucoma consume approximately $2,511 per year in healthcare resources, compared to $623 for those with early-stage disease. Effective treatments at earlier stages can slow or halt disease progression, saving both patients and society from greater economi...
A study analyzing data from the INTERMAP study found a significant association between higher vegetable protein intake and lower blood pressure levels. The researchers suggest that amino acids in vegetable proteins may play a role in this effect, and other dietary components like magnesium may also contribute.
A three-week diet and exercise study shows that Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome can be reversed through lifestyle changes, with half of participants experiencing a clinical diagnosis reversal. The regimen improved factors contributing to heart disease, such as insulin resistance and high cholesterol.
Researchers have charted a warp in the Milky Way's hydrogen gas layer, finding it vibrates like a drum due to interaction with dark matter. The Magellanic Clouds' passage through the dark matter halo creates a wake that enhances their gravitational influence on the disk.
A study published in Neurology found that over 70% of people with Chiari Malformations experience sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness. Surgery to relieve compression on the brain stem improved symptoms, reducing central sleep apnea occurrences by 90% and micro-arousals by 30%.