The September volume of The Annals explores the possibility of preventing a catastrophic nuclear terrorist attack by examining historical trends and proposing solutions. Scholars emphasize the need for world leaders to recognize the gravity of this threat and take proactive steps to prevent it.
Researchers analyze cases of vitamin D deficiency in UK and conclude that supplementing Asian children for two years from birth can curb re-emergence of the deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to various health problems, including rickets, poor tooth formation, and increased risk of multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
A study published in Circulation found that the financial burden on women with chest pain and blocked coronary arteries can total more than $1 million during their lifetime. Women with nonobstructive coronary artery disease also face significant costs, including higher drug expenses.
Researchers discovered that a switch in just two amino acids can make a difference between functioning at moderate temperatures and adapting to extreme heat. This finding has implications for adjusting crops to climate conditions and improving enzyme efficiency in industrial processes.
A new study found that removing deer from small areas can lead to increased tick populations and higher rates of tick-borne diseases. In contrast to previous studies, researchers discovered that smaller deer-free zones tend to harbor more ticks, making them potential disease hotspots.
A new electrode material has been developed that improves battery power and charge retention. The material, which combines nickel, cobalt, and manganese ions at regular intervals, allows for high rates of discharge and energy storage.
The PBS/NOVA documentary 'Forgotten Genius' celebrates the life and work of Percy Julian, a trailblazing chemist who made significant contributions to the field. Julian's research led to the synthesis of physostigmine, a drug used in glaucoma treatment, and he was a pioneer in biomedical research.
For hematopoietic stem cells, a two-step process regulates cell fate decisions, with pioneer transcription factors triggering the first step and secondary factors activating specific genes. Understanding this circuitry is crucial for learning how to transform stem cells into therapeutically useful cells.
The study suggests that eczema and hay fever prevalence has plateaued or declined in recent years, while hospital admissions for these conditions have stabilized. Systemic allergies, including anaphylaxis, food allergy, and urticaria, have shown a significant increase in rates over the past few decades.
For the first time a star has been observed as it goes supernova – a mind-bogglingly powerful explosion that briefly outshines an entire galaxy. UK scientists used NASA's Swift satellite and a combination of orbiting and ground-based observatories to catch the event in real-time.
New research confirms the human body is designed to resist weight loss efforts due to strong mechanisms defending against caloric deficits. Dr. Neil King's studies demonstrate a 'plateau effect,' where weight loss from exercise and calorie restrictions stalls at a certain point.
The study examined clinical and cognitive predictors of swallowing recovery in stroke patients. Identification of specific neurocognitive deficits and clinical features was associated with poor swallowing outcomes.
Scientists at SUNY Downstate Medical Center discovered a molecular mechanism maintaining memories in the brain by inhibiting a specific enzyme, protein kinase M zeta. This finding may have applications in treating chronic pain and memory loss conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
A Swedish HIV vaccine trial has shown that over 90% of subjects developed an immune response to HIV after receiving the vaccine, demonstrating a high level of protection against the virus. The study's results are promising and could lead to further clinical trials in Africa.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that men who took nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had a 50 percent lower risk of developing an enlarged prostate and a 35 percent lower risk of moderate to severe urinary symptoms compared to non-users.
A scientist-astronaut is sending human T-cells to the International Space Station to study why they don't activate properly in microgravity. The experiment aims to identify which genes are not expressed in space, shedding light on immunosuppression and potential treatments for astronauts.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that celecoxib, a commonly used painkiller, significantly reduced the incidence of potentially pre-malignant colorectal polyps by 36% in patients taking a daily dose. The study involved over 1,550 participants and showed a greater effect on advanced adenomas.
Researchers print carbon nanotubes on paper and plastic surfaces, creating conductive patterns that could be used in flexible electronics, sensors, and other applications. The approach is simple, versatile, and inexpensive, making it a potential alternative to current methods.
A new study found that large segments of the Pacific Ocean lack sufficient iron to trigger healthy phytoplankton growth, leading to overestimated ocean productivity. The researchers estimate a 2-4% reduction in global ocean carbon uptake due to this oversight.
Researchers discovered that a protein called ChREBP initiates fat storage when carbohydrates are present. Disabling this protein reduces obesity and improves glucose control in obese mice. The study suggests a potential new approach to treating type 2 diabetes.
Research found that longstanding anger and hostility compromise lung function and hasten natural decline in lung power with age. The study of 670 men aged 45-86 showed a significant association between higher levels of hostility and poorer lung function.
A study led by University of California, Santa Cruz researchers has confirmed that bullet fragments and shotgun pellets are the principal sources of lead poisoning in California condors. The study found that 77% of birds tested had lead levels linked to ammunition, highlighting the need for action to reduce lead exposure.
A UC Davis study of a Sacramento-area program found that healthier snack options increased daily servings of fruit by 83 percent and reduced saturated fat consumption by 42 percent. However, the new menu also led to a reduction in calcium and vitamin A intake due to the removal of dairy products.
LCPs have shown promise as a microscale building block for lab-on-a-chip devices. They can be fabricated and patterned on a microscale, converting thermal, chemical, and electromagnetic stimuli into mechanical energy.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute successfully silenced two additional virulence genes in amoebae, rendering them harmless while preserving surface antigens. The disabled amoebae may serve as a live vaccine to combat life-threatening amoebic diseases.
Researchers at the University of Arizona developed a new type of transistor that uses quantum mechanics to regulate current flow in single molecules. This breakthrough could enable the creation of incredibly powerful, compact computers and medical devices.
According to researchers at Harvard University and the University of Michigan, healthcare in America has been cost-effective overall. The study found that improved healthcare contributed significantly to increased life expectancy, with 70% of gains attributed to reductions in cardiovascular disease deaths.
Researchers found that muscle cells degenerate when BAG3 is absent, highlighting its importance in maintaining mature skeletal muscle. This discovery may lead to prevention of muscle atrophy associated with diseases like muscular dystrophy and myofibril myopathy.
Astronomers have linked an X-ray flash to a supernova for the first time, revealing a new class of events with properties distinct from typical gamma-ray bursts. The discovery suggests the existence of dimmer but possibly more numerous cosmic flashes.
A Dartmouth researcher found that VIOXX reduces the risk of colorectal adenomas, a precursor to colon cancer. The study involved 2,587 patients and showed that rofecoxib lowered the recurrence rate of adenomas by 41% compared to placebo.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago discovered a molecular motor that helps cells determine which way is up by transporting a key lipid. This process is essential for maintaining cell polarity and preventing cancerous metastasis. The study sheds light on the trafficking and disposition of polarity determinants.
The APPROVe trial shows rofecoxib effective in reducing the recurrence of colorectal adenomas, a precursor to colon cancer. Patients taking rofecoxib had a lower recurrence rate (41% vs 55%) and reduced risk of advanced adenomas compared to those on placebo.
A Swedish study found that pensioners who received regular home visits from health professionals had a mortality rate nearly half that of those without visits. The mortality rate increased after the visits ended.
Researchers attribute ozone recovery to the Montreal Protocol and changes in atmospheric transport dynamics. Ozone levels have stopped decreasing in one region and are increasing in another in the stratosphere above mid-latitudes.
A study found frequent human rights violations, including murders, sexual assaults, and kidnapping, in Port-au-Prince. The researchers estimated around 12 individuals were murdered daily and 35,000 women and girls were raped during a 22-month period.
Researchers at UC Irvine found that stress hormones exacerbate the formation of brain lesions associated with Alzheimer's. The study suggests that managing stress and reducing certain medications prescribed for the elderly could slow down the disease progression.
The study found that children under age 5 are twice as likely to live in severe poverty, with severe poverty affecting African Americans and Hispanics disproportionately. The increasing trend has significant implications for healthcare services and long-term child outcomes.
Preterm infants with smaller occipital brain volumes are more likely to experience impaired visual function in early childhood. Thirty-five percent of the study infants had abnormal oculomotor control, including impaired saccades and binocular eye alignment, at two years of age.
Researchers have developed a device that combines a tiny camera, computer, and transparent display on glasses to improve the visual abilities of people with tunnel vision. The study shows significant improvements in object detection and reduced search time for patients.
A commercial progesterone therapy appears to prevent some premature births, with a 33% reduction in preterm birth rate for women who had a previous premature baby. The March of Dimes estimates that if all eligible women received the therapy, nearly 10,000 premature births might have been prevented.
Researchers found five proteins overexpressed and three underexpressed in response to chronic alcohol exposure, affecting programmed cell death, cholesterol balance, and signal transduction. The study suggests a progressive increase in behavior disruption with prolonged exposure, highlighting the potential for new therapeutic targets.
A Wake Forest University research team is analyzing brain changes in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to better understand the diseases. They are comparing post-mortem brain tissue with normal tissue, focusing on the temporal lobe's structures involved in learning and memory.
Researchers found that chimpanzees can pass on cultural behaviors through a chain of individuals, with techniques learned by one generation being successfully passed on to the next. This study provides evidence for generational learning in non-human primates and highlights similarities between human and chimpanzee cultural behavior.
Researchers found a brain region that also responds to objects like cars, animals, and sculptures, challenging current face perception theories. The discovery suggests the need for a new model of how the brain recognizes faces and objects.
A study found that managers in the UK food industry prioritize consumer concerns about food safety and hygiene risks over rules and regulations. The survey of 204 individuals across various businesses revealed a high degree of confusion about state regulators and their roles, with locally-based environmental health officers perceived a...
A recent study found that Florida medical students are discouraged from pursuing obstetrics and gynecology careers due to high malpractice premiums and liability concerns. The survey results suggest a significant shortage of specialists in the field, with many students considering leaving the state to practice.
Researchers found that infant and neonatal mortality rates are higher among babies delivered by cesarean section than vaginal deliveries, even in low-risk women. The study analyzed over 5.7 million live births and nearly 12,000 infant deaths, revealing a significant increase in cesarean deliveries without medical indication.
A NASA-funded study uses satellite data to monitor forest growth and health, detecting the effects of climate change on tree species and forest composition. The MODIS dataset shows a strong link between forest productivity and the number of tree species, enabling scientists to better predict future changes.
Researchers at Université de Montréal discover that mystical experiences are mediated by several brain regions, contradicting theories of a specific 'God spot'. Fifteen cloistered nuns underwent fMRI scans while reliving mystical experiences, revealing a dozen active brain regions.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered how a chemotherapy drug aids an anti-cancer virus in targeting brain tumors. The study found that the drug slows immune cells' activity, allowing the virus to spread and kill more cancer cells. This may lead to new treatment options for incurable human brain tumors.
Researchers found that transfusions with blood products from recovered Spanish flu patients may reduce mortality and improve symptoms for hospitalized patients. The study suggests similar transfusions could be useful in treating victims of a bird flu pandemic, especially given the problems with existing vaccines and treatments.
Rutgers University researchers have developed a new polymer-coating process that uses pulsed laser deposition to create high-performance coatings. The method improves coating efficiency, reduces drag force, and enhances biocompatibility for sensitive areas.
Climate scientists analyzed data to determine that global warming is increasing Atlantic hurricane intensity. Additionally, the water cycle is changing, with seasonal trends shifting into spring. The study also found a connection between atmospheric tides and weather in the tropics influencing the equatorial ionosphere.
Researchers discovered a new variant in the Complement Factor H gene associated with advanced age-related macular degeneration. Combining this variant with others found additive accumulation of risk from three genes: CFH, BF, and C2. The study estimates that genotypes related to five variants explain about half the sibling risk of AMD.
A sensor package is installed on Cape Cod ferry Katama to measure water temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, and take images of plankton. The project aims to build a detailed portrait of changing water conditions in Nantucket Sound over long time scales.
A new study found that ancient birds of prey like African crowned eagles likely feasted on some of our earliest human ancestors. The researchers analyzed over 600 bones from monkey skulls, which showed puncture marks and scratches consistent with the grip of an eagle's talons.
A study found widespread damage to normal-appearing brain tissue in patients with multiple sclerosis, affecting large fractions of white and gray matter. This damage plays a larger role in disease progression than visible lesions.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) identifies critical brain regions prior to surgery, leading to more effective tumor removal and reduced surgical time. In 49% of cases, surgeons altered their treatment plans after fMRI findings, with no reported neurological deficits.
A survey of 1,337 individuals found that around half of self-employed pension scheme members have used their website, resulting in increased access to pension information and education. Many scheme members value their pension website, with the greatest benefit being improved confidence in making pension enquiries and decisions.
Researchers found that patient outcomes improved when treatment was based on the doctor's recommendation, with a significantly lower incidence of problems compared to alternative treatments. The study's results highlight the importance of physician judgment in making therapeutic decisions for patients with severe coronary artery disease.