Researchers used gene therapy to modify signaling pathways in the brain, significantly reducing epileptic seizures in rats. The study suggests that altering specific signaling pathways in nerve cells after a brain insult may help prevent epilepsy.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that anti-thymocyte globulin reduces acute rejection incidence by 15.6% compared to basiliximab in high-risk kidney transplant patients. The treatment is expected to save millions of dollars in healthcare costs by preventing immune attacks and organ loss.
A study found that women with more than four positive lymph nodes are four times more likely to develop lymphedema when treated with a boost, despite similar risks of nodal recurrences. The increased risk may outweigh the benefits of receiving an extra dose of radiation.
Researchers at Brown University have found evidence of recent volcanic gas release from the moon's surface, with features like the Ina structure dating back to two million years. The discovery suggests the moon is geologically active beyond its three billion-year history.
In a surprise discovery, researchers found that young rats recover more quickly from spinal cord injuries due to the activation of specialized neural stem cells and oligodendrocytes, which provide a protective myelin sheath to axons. This process does not occur as efficiently in adult rats, leading to longer recovery times.
Researchers from EPICA project establish precise link between climate records from Greenland and Antarctica using methane concentration data. They find that short temperature changes in the South are connected to fast changes in the North through Atlantic Ocean currents, indicating a general 'bipolar seesaw' connection.
New research reveals that social exclusion can cause changes in brain function, leading to poor decision-making and diminished learning ability. The study used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to examine brain patterns following social exclusion.
Studies using fMRI reveal that the hippocampus integrates perceptual strands to form coherent memories. The intraparietal sulcus plays a crucial role in binding multiple features of stimuli into a common representation, essential for episodic memory formation.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has funded four new Centers of Research Translation (CORTs) to translate basic discoveries into new treatments for arthritis and related diseases. The CORTs will focus on lupus, X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets, scleroderma, and other conditions.
A large study of over 7,500 men with prostate cancer treated with radiation therapy found that temporary PSA bounces do not increase the risk of cancer recurrence. Researchers believe this reduces stress and uncertainty for patients experiencing a PSA bounce after radiation.
Pitt and NIH researchers provide a circuit-level explanation for why our eyes appear to move smoothly despite making saccades. They found that a corollary discharge signal from the brainstem causes visual neurons to shift their receptive field, enabling visual stability.
Researchers discovered that tarantula venom activates the same nerve cells responsible for sensing heat and pain, similar to chili peppers. The study provides insights into the molecular strategy used by some plants and animals to deter predators and may lead to the development of new pain treatments.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have found a nanoparticle that can protect normal tissue from radiation damage as effectively as standard drugs. The nanoparticle, called DF-1, acts like an oxygen sink, binding to dangerous oxygen radicals and reducing their production.
A new study suggests that a rapidly rising PSA level before treatment is a key indicator of cancer spread in men with clinically localized prostate cancer. The study found that men with a high PSA velocity (PSAV) are at greater risk of metastatic disease and should receive hormone therapy in addition to radiation.
A new UCLA study found that physicians rarely discuss medication costs with patients, which can lead to non-adherence and increased out-of-pocket expenses. The study, published in The American Journal of Managed Care, suggests that higher-income patients are more likely to initiate discussions about costs.
Researchers found a correlation between high COX-2 intensity scores and increased risk of biochemical failure and distant metastasis. The study suggests that inhibiting COX-2 expression may make prostate cancer more responsive to radiation therapy.
The University of Manchester and University of Sheffield are using interactive video conferencing to improve the teaching of mathematics to PhD students. The project aims to provide a broader and deeper knowledge of math, enabling students to compete with international peers for key jobs and positions.
A new study by Saint Louis University researcher Edward Weiss found that both diet and exercise provide significant benefits in reducing the risk of diabetes. The study, which followed 50-60 year olds with a high body mass index, showed improvements in glucose tolerance and insulin levels in all three groups, regardless of whether they...
The ESSP's Monsoon Asia Integrated Regional Study aims to understand the effects of human activities on the monsoon system in the region. The study will explore how changes in land use, water resources, and urbanization affect the monsoon circulation system.
The Free-Electron Laser produced a 14.2 kilowatt beam of laser light at an infrared wavelength of 1.61 microns, shattering another power record. This achievement supports the Navy's vision for a high-power FEL as part of a ship-based weapon system.
The Parkinson Study Group has received a $200,000 grant from the Parkinson's Disease Foundation to fund innovative programs supporting clinical research. The grant will support retrospective data-mining projects and mentorship for young researchers, aiming to accelerate treatment development.
A new classification system, called the Phoenix definition, provides a better evaluation method for predicting patient outcomes in recurrent prostate cancer. The study demonstrates significant improvement in predicting endpoints such as distant metastasis and overall mortality.
Research published in Human Reproduction found that heavy smoking significantly lowers pregnancy rates among women who received donated oocytes, regardless of their own ovarian function. Heavy smokers had a lower chance of achieving pregnancy but higher multiple birth rates compared to non-heavy smokers.
Researchers develop new statistical approaches to assist doctors' decision making for severely ill newborn babies, enabling better-informed decisions and potential life-saving interventions. Bayesian methods will be integrated into electronic medical records to provide instant analysis of patient data and improve treatment strategies.
A recent study found that vaccinating mice with embryonic stem cells prevented lung cancer in those exposed to cancer-causing chemicals or had transplanted cancer cells. The vaccines showed promise in preventing tumour growth and were up to 100% effective, with smaller tumours developing in vaccinated mice.
A 20-year study of over 82,800 women found no association between low-carb diets and coronary heart disease risk. However, a diet with moderate carbohydrate reduction, emphasizing vegetable-based fat and protein, was associated with a 30% lower risk of CHD.
Two studies by researchers at the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford found that volcanic gases released during eruptions accelerate reactions leading to ozone destruction. The eruptions can destroy ozone and create localised 'holes' in the stratosphere, with even small eruptions having a significant impact.
A new study shows that shaped-beam radiosurgery can treat the smallest lung tumors, allowing patients to live disease-free for years. Researchers found that 91% of treated tumors never progressed and 25% of patients were cancer-free after three years.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered how KSHV subverts a normal cell process to promote tumor growth. By tricking tumor suppressors VHL and p53 into being destroyed, KSHV allows cancer cells to grow unchecked.
A fossil coral reef in Western Australia indicates that sea levels may rise by 3-4 meters during the 21st century due to global warming. The reef, dated to 128-125,000 years ago, suggests that rapid melting of land-based ice sheets contributed to this predicted rise.
Inhibiting cyclin D1, a gene present in excessive amounts in half of breast cancers, improves cell-killing effects of radiation. Flavopiridol was found to add to ionizing radiation's effects without toxicity, using zebrafish models.
Researchers have discovered a biochemical pathway by which the sex hormone androgen increases levels of reactive oxygen species in the prostate gland, contributing to prostate cancer development. A new drug, MDL 72,527, has been shown to block this pathway, significantly prolonging survival and inhibiting tumour growth in mice.
A large-scale study involving over 7,500 men with prostate cancer has concluded that a rise in PSA levels after treatment, known as PSA bounce, does not impact overall survival. The study found no statistical difference in survival rates between patients who experienced a bounce and those who did not.
Scientists capture ultrafast molecular motion by visualizing vibration and rotation of a hydrogen molecule as a quantum mechanical wave packet. The image reveals the wave packet's collapse and revival over extremely short timescales.
A MEK enzyme inhibitor has shown long-lasting stable disease in patients with advanced solid cancers, inhibiting key targets and reducing cell proliferation. Phase II trials have been initiated for melanoma, pancreatic, lung, and colon cancers.
A study found that MammoSite Brachytherapy does not always deliver lower doses of radiation to the heart during treatment of left-sided breast cancers compared to IMRT. The researchers analyzed data from 101 women with left-sided breast tumors treated with IMRT and found that in some patients, IMRT confers less radiation to the heart.
Researchers at Temple University found that traditional books provide a more positive parent-child interaction than electronic books, promoting early literacy skills. In contrast, e-book reading tends to lead to behaviorally oriented and coercive parent-child interactions, lacking the depth of discussion and connection.
Researchers found that subliminal words can produce a priming effect, where subjects respond faster on tasks related to either the visual or auditory word. TMS applied to specific brain areas disrupted this priming effect, demonstrating top-down processing of subliminal information.
A recent study found that Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors who undergo lipid screening every five years live six months longer than those without screening. The study suggests that regular cholesterol screening is a cost-effective procedure to reduce the risk of heart disease in these patients.
A study found that African-American women, particularly younger ones, have a significantly higher incidence of breast cancer and die at a younger age than white women. Environmental factors such as hormone-mimicking compounds are suggested to contribute to these disparities.
Scientists have discovered that the Chlamydia bacterium shares a common ancestry with plants, which could lead to the development of an effective new treatment for chlamydia. The discovery highlights similarities in genetic sequences and functions between the two organisms, providing a potential target for antibiotics.
The Rockefeller Foundation has denied rumours of abandoning its public health commitments, with President Judith Rodin assuring the global health community of continued support. The foundation's long-standing funding has contributed significantly to the development of vaccines and public health education initiatives.
A review study identifies 202 industrial chemicals that can damage the developing brain, leading to neurodevelopmental disorders. The researchers urge a precautionary approach for chemical testing and control to protect children's brains from toxic effects.
A study evaluating extended-field intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for cervical cancer found that it resulted in significantly reduced side effects and comparable outcomes to standard radiotherapy. The treatment enabled patients to receive full therapeutic doses with less debilitating side effects.
Patients treated with IMRT had significantly fewer moderate and serious side effects, including urethral stricture and catheterization, compared to those who received I-125 seed brachytherapy. The study found excellent PSA outcomes after treatment in both groups.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have made a groundbreaking discovery linking the timing of inhibitory neuron activity to the generation of odor-specific patterns in the brain's olfactory bulb. This finding supports the temporal coding hypothesis, which proposes that odor identity is encoded by the timing of neuronal firing, r...
Researchers have made a breakthrough with non-hormonal compound Adjudin, which has shown safety and effectiveness in rats when administered as an attachment to a modified hormone targeting the testes. However, its delivery system needs improvement, and it remains to be seen whether it will work as well in humans as in rodents.
A malaria drug, chloroquine, was found to improve symptoms of metabolic syndrome in mice by reducing atherosclerosis, lowering blood pressure, and improving blood sugar tolerance. The drug works by activating a particular stress pathway that mediates susceptibility to the syndrome.
Researchers at Iowa State University have made a breakthrough in breaking down cellulose, the tough structure of plant cell walls, to release simple sugars fermented into ethanol. The compound has shown promise in breaking down up to 95% of cellulose, paving the way for potential improvements in ethanol production.
A new cost-benefit analysis suggests that the most expensive combination cancer treatment may actually be the most cost-effective in the long run. The study found that patients who received induction chemotherapy and radiation therapy had better outcomes and saved money on treating complications and recurrences.
Scientists at Stanford University used gene therapy to improve memory and learning in rats under stress, blocking the negative effects of steroids. The experimental technique transforms harmful corticoids into beneficial estrogens, potentially reducing cognitive side effects of steroids.
During intense exercise, muscles rely on anaerobic metabolism for force production, leading to muscle fatigue and impaired performance. The study found that the mechanisms of muscular fatigue are similar to those discovered in laboratory research on cell and tissue samples.
A new study found that consumers tend to spend more when a planned purchase is deeply discounted, but less when they experience an unexpected price increase or decrease in quality. This challenges prior research on budgeting and shopping behavior.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that a gene variant associated with mental illness enlarges the pulvinar, a brain region handling negative emotions. The study found individuals carrying two copies of the SERT-s gene had larger pulvinars containing more nerve cells.
A new study by Sanjay Sood and Xavier Drèze found that movie sequels with named titles outperform those with numbered titles. Consumers prefer unique sequels because they don't want to see the same movie twice, improving box office performance and shelf life.
A precautionary approach is being used in the EU to regulate industrial chemicals that can affect brain development, particularly in pregnant women and young children. Exposure to such chemicals has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and cerebral palsy.
A study found that intravenous gene therapy protects normal tissue during whole-body radiation, leading to higher survival rates in mice. The therapy, administered before exposure, appeared to prevent the damaging effects of radiation, suggesting it is a viable delivery method for public protection in nuclear emergencies.
Researchers found that chloroquine eased many symptoms of metabolic syndrome in mice, reducing blood pressure, hardening and narrowing of the arteries, and improving blood sugar tolerance. A pilot clinical trial is underway to test its safety and effectiveness in humans.
Researchers discovered a new 'helper' compound, dasatinib, that effectively treats some leukemias by targeting both BCR-ABL and SRC kinases. The findings suggest addressing both pathways is crucial for optimal treatment outcomes.
A study found that patients with low systolic blood pressure at hospital admission had poor outcomes, including higher mortality rates and rehospitalization. Higher systolic blood pressure was associated with lower risk of death in the long term.