Despite an increase in drug development for killer diseases, researchers argue that more incentives and access guarantees are needed to address the lack of economic demand. The rise of public-private partnerships (PPPs) is also cited as a contributing factor.
A recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that bipolar disorder exacts twice as much toll on workplace productivity as major depression, costing nearly half as much in lost wages. The researchers attribute this disparity to bipolar disorder's more severe depressive episodes rather than its manic periods.
The genome sequences of P. ramorum and P. sojae could lead to strategies to combat these destructive plant pathogens. Phytophthora species cause significant losses in various crops, including soybeans, oak trees, and cocoa beans, resulting in hundreds of billions of dollars in economic damage annually.
A study by Emory University researchers found that depressed patients exhibit an exaggerated inflammatory response to psychological stress compared to healthy individuals. The study suggests a potential link between depression and other diseases, including heart disease.
A study by Maria-Christina L. Machado and colleagues found that women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who use long-term oxygen therapy have a 54% increased risk of death compared to men. The primary risk factor for developing COPD is smoking.
A new study questions the use of estrens as estrogen-like molecules for treating osteoporosis. Estrens improved bone strength in mice, but also caused adverse effects on reproductive organs and human breast cancer cells. Further clinical trials are needed to determine their safety.
Research finds British Army wives more resilient than their husbands in military life, with 88% wanting them to stay after deployment. Despite work-life tensions, wives prioritize financial security and feel better equipped to cope than husbands.
Genomic technologies hold potential to improve nutritional content and resistance of food crops, but their impact on world hunger depends on efficient exchange of knowledge and experience. Effective collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential for harnessing these technologies.
A recent study examines the effectiveness of forest certification programs in developing countries, finding that existing demand from North American and European markets has not significantly influenced forest management choices. The book argues that increased commercial support is needed for improved environmental and social practices.
Researchers have combined two therapies to enhance the immune system's response against brain tumors. The treatment, called dendritic cell-interleukin-23, promotes the function of dendritic cells and memory T-cells, providing initial and long-term immunity.
A new UCLA/LSU study found that consuming salad and raw vegetables is associated with higher concentrations of essential nutrients like folic acid, vitamins C and E, and carotene in the bloodstream. The research suggests that including one serving of salad or raw vegetables per day can significantly boost nutrient intake.
Researchers found that TRAIL can enhance hepatocyte cell death initiated by signaling through Fas, potentially leading to liver damage. The study has important clinical implications as liver cells expressing Fas are present during inflammation.
According to researchers at the US Department of Agriculture and the National Cancer Institute, most Americans do not meet daily recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. The new MyPyramid recommendations are 2 to 6 ½ cups per day, with only 17 percent of women age 51-70 meeting their combined recommendation. Salad consumption is p...
Researchers found that estrens improved bone strength in mice with osteoporosis but also had adverse effects on reproductive organs and human breast cancer cells. This study suggests caution is needed for the development of estrens as a treatment for osteoporosis.
Katie Lee Joel joins forces with experts to promote low-phosphorus cooking, sharing six new recipes to honor her grandfather's memory and help patients manage chronic kidney disease. The Kidney Friendly Comfort Foods program aims to show that kidney-friendly foods don't have to be boring.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified a new type of sleep apnea called complex sleep apnea, which is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apneas. Complex sleep apnea patients often appear to have obstructive sleep apnea but do not fully respond to CPAP machines.
Researchers at Harvard University have identified two compounds, LTB4 and LXA4, that stimulate stem cell growth in the brain. These findings may lead to new therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
Research suggests that children whose mothers had low vitamin E intake during pregnancy are more likely to develop wheezing and asthma by age five. Vitamin E exposure was found to have a dual effect on lung function and airway inflammation, with effects differing between early and later pregnancy.
A study by Rutgers University found that portion distortion, where consumers perceive large portions as normal serving sizes, may contribute to expanding waistlines. The research suggests that efforts to educate the public on limiting excess calories from foods like salad dressing have been successful.
Researchers found that carbon monoxide can prevent placental cell death caused by oxidative stress injury in a study published in The American Journal of Pathology. This finding suggests that carbon monoxide may be a possible treatment modality for pre-eclampsia, which affects 5-7% of pregnancies.
Researchers found that conservation measures appear feasible in gap locations with large tracts of habitat and sparse human populations. However, difficulties may arise near coasts and in regions with agricultural interests, highlighting the need for further efforts to establish new protected areas.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals that mature muscle fibers, rather than their less-developed neighbors, are the tissues that turn malignant in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. This breakthrough provides insight into how the cancer arises and offers a new model for analyzing its genetic causes.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Makerere University in Uganda have identified how the malaria parasite conceals itself in the placenta, paving the way for a potential vaccine. The study found that several receptors on the placenta are involved in binding to the parasite, contrary to previous laboratory studies.
European blackbirds born in cities exhibit a reduced stress response compared to those from forests, which may be the result of urban-specific selection pressures. This adaptation helps them thrive in concrete habitats around the globe.
A study found that reducing contrast material injection by at least 10% in elderly patients undergoing CT exams of the pancreas and biliary region can decrease costs and complications. This reduction was achieved without affecting image quality.
A new study shows MRI is better than MDCT for determining breast cancer's intraductal component, allowing surgeons to achieve a cancer-free surgical margin. MRI correctly identified 33 of 44 cases with an intraductal component, outperforming MDCT in sensitivity and underestimation accuracy.
A new study published in the Lancet found that aggressive treatment to lower blood pressure significantly reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. The research, which involved over 160,000 individuals in 50 countries, highlights the importance of driving blood pressure down to very low levels rather than choosing specific medications.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution for Science have developed a new technology to monitor glucose levels in leaf and root tissues of Arabidopsis thaliana, revealing extremely low sugar levels in roots. The breakthrough enables studies on sugar metabolism in plants and has potential applications for engineering higher crop yields.
A study of Old World fruit flies found increased frequency of low-latitude inversions in their chromosomes, suggesting protection against warmer temperatures. This rapid genetic shift is detectable even for samples separated by fewer than two decades, highlighting the potential for species adaptation to climate change.
Scientists determined that nitrogen is the primary element missing for algae growth in the northern tropical Pacific, while iron was lacking everywhere else. The 'iron-effect' decreases carbon ocean plant photosynthesis estimates by two billion tons, allowing for more accurate carbon movement modeling and resource management.
A new type of diode laser, called quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), may revolutionize aircraft protection by emitting high-power light at specific wavelengths. The QCLs can operate at room temperature and have a power conversion efficiency of 10 percent, making them ideal for widespread use in infrared countermeasure systems.
Researchers at the Salk Institute and UCLA developed a high-density microarray technique to capture genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in Arabidopsis, a plant species. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding human genome analysis, stem cell biology, and therapeutic cloning.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has developed a new statistical technique that enables researchers to statistically analyze results of clinical trials without traditional control groups. This novel approach allows for the early adoption of new treatments and validates the use of interim analyses in clinical trials.
Researchers have discovered how nanoscale magnetic oscillators communicate using spin waves, enabling them to synchronize signals and achieve stronger signal strength. This finding has implications for designing nano-oscillator arrays for use in cell phones, radar systems, or computer chips.
George M. Whitesides receives the 2007 Priestley Medal for his groundbreaking research in NMR, materials science, and nanotechnology, with potential applications in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and medical diagnostics.
Researchers successfully transformed normal immune cells into tumor fighters, demonstrating their ability to persist in the body and shrink large tumors in humans. The engineered cells were found to show signs of persistence in 15 of the 17 patients in the study, with two patients seeing significant tumor shrinkage.
Key findings highlight the need for rapid screening programs and strict contact precautions in hospitals to prevent MRSA transmission. Community-acquired MRSA poses a critical public health priority, requiring immediate action to control outbreaks and prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Research conducted at NIH/NIEHS found that men with increased body mass index (BMI) were more likely to be infertile than normal-weight men. A 20-pound weight gain was associated with a nearly 2-fold increase in infertility among obese men.
NDRI has received a starter grant from the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation to develop and implement a training program on hepatitis C for clinical and non-clinical staff in New York City outpatient drug treatment programs. The program aims to enhance services delivered in these programs and promote effective public health responses.
A team of scientists led by Dr. Xiaojiang Chen have uncovered the molecular mechanism behind how a viral oncoprotein inactivates p53. The study reveals that the viral protein binds to p53, causing a conformational change that prevents it from binding to DNA and thus abolishes its tumor-suppressing function.
Researchers investigated association between TNF blocker use and cancer risk in RA patients. They found no increased risk of lymphoma or tumors associated with anti-TNF therapy over methotrexate use. The study used a large sample of patients and found an overall difference in estimated cancer risk less than 5 percent.
A study by CU, Scripps researchers provides evidence of how proteins fold to create their characteristic shapes and biological functions. They propose that nonpolar groups in a polypeptide chain are responsible for initial folding, which then propagates to form the final folded structure.
Researchers at JILA demonstrated that gold nanoparticles can be trapped and detected six times more easily than polystyrene particles of similar size. However, the high heating effect could damage molecules under study, limiting their use in temperature-sensitive experiments.
A recent study by University of Alberta psychologist Dr. Norman Brown found that momentous events like 9/11 do not drastically change people's daily lives. Instead, their memories are influenced more by historical events that have a significant impact on their daily routines.
St. Jude researchers have solved a 25-year mystery by discovering the first biochemical step that many disease-causing bacteria use to build their membranes. The discovery holds promise for effective, new antibiotics against these bacteria, which would not cause dangerous side effects.
A new study by a University of Colorado at Boulder researcher found that an in-class writing assignment reduced the achievement gap between African-American and nonminority students by 40%. The study suggests that targeted psychological interventions could help narrow the racial achievement gap among U.S. students.
Researchers launch large balloons with instrument packages over Africa and the Atlantic to gather data on hurricane conditions. The data will help predict which systems develop into hurricanes, providing critical insights for improving weather forecasting.
A team of Wisconsin scientists has found a simple process to expand on nature's chemical creativity, making critical anticancer agents and antibiotics. The discovery opens the door to a variety of new opportunities in the natural product drug arena.
Researchers identified a platelet-regulating gene mutation involved in lupus nephritis, and a novel adhesion molecule implicated in rheumatoid arthritis. The study suggests links between the mutations, loss of protein expression, defect in platelet function, and regression of kidney damage.
A daily glass of orange juice can boost citrate levels in the urine and reduce crystallization of uric acid and calcium oxalate, two common ingredients in kidney stones. In contrast, lemonade did not increase citrate levels, suggesting that its constituents counteract the beneficial effects of high citrate content.
A new study by University of Florida researchers links morbid obesity in toddlers to lower IQ scores and cognitive delays. The study found that children with early-onset morbid obesity had an average IQ score of 78, compared to a normal range of 106 for their siblings.
A six-year study at a massive experimental landscape found that wildlife corridors support more plant species, particularly native ones, than isolated areas. The results suggest that corridors are crucial for preserving both wildlife and plant biodiversity.
Researchers found that drinking three or more servings of fruit and vegetable juices per week reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by 76 percent. The benefit was particularly enhanced for subjects carrying a specific genetic marker linked to late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
A new study reveals that landscape corridors can promote plant diversity by connecting isolated patches of habitat. The research found that patches with corridors retained high numbers of species, while those without lost species. Corridors provide the largest benefit to native species.
The study reveals crucial aspects of SOD and soybean root rot diseases, including the ability of pathogens to evade plant defense responses and kill plant tissue. The genomic sequence data provides insights into the disease mechanisms and can be used to develop new detection systems and control methods
The Microscale Life Sciences Center at ASU has been awarded a five-year $18 million grant to continue its research on cell growth and death, aiming to understand the nature of disease processes. The center will develop miniature automated systems to analyze differences between healthy and diseased body cells.
Researchers found that both amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) carry a low risk of miscarriage. While CVS was initially believed to have a higher rate of miscarriage, the study revealed that this risk decreased over time.
The Lancet calls for greater transparency and accountability in the selection of a new Global Fund Executive Director. The current secretive process could undermine the organization's ability to improve global health, according to an Editorial published in The Lancet.
The genome sequences of Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora sojae reveal a recent expansion and diversification of deadly genes, suggesting a benign photosynthetic ancestor. The sequences also indicate a rapidly evolving secretome involved in plant infection mechanisms.
A University of Southern California-led research group used X-ray crystallography to study the struggle between LTag, a cancer-causing protein, and p53, a key tumor suppressor. The study found that LTag inhibits p53's role by tying up six molecules, but p53 fights back by preventing virus replication.