A new study led by Dr. Deborah Dean suggests that Chlamydia trachomatis is evolving rapidly through recombination, creating new strains and potentially new diseases. The bacterium's ability to customize its attack increases the risk of emerging diseases.
A new procedure at UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute uses fine-needle aspiration to collect cancer cells from the living eye and predict high-risk tumors. The test has shown promise in reducing mortality rates among ocular melanoma patients.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky received a $400,000 SAMHSA grant to improve youth suicide prevention services. Dr. Julie Cerel, an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky, played a key role in securing the grant and will oversee its evaluation.
A new study published in Child Development found that children report more frequent sleep problems than their parents acknowledge. The researchers suggest that genetic and environmental influences play a role in most sleep problems. Parents may be unaware of night waking or delayed sleeping patterns, leading to overestimation by children.
A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that many major biomedical journals have inadequate conflict of interest policies and practices. The study revealed that less than half of these journals require policies for editors or peer-reviewers and that many do not disclose potential conflicts to readers.
Carstensen will receive the award at GSA's 59th Annual Scientific Meeting for her groundbreaking research on social relationships and motivation in older adults. Her work has offered a compelling alternative explanation for age-related declines in social involvement.
A study of 5,820 Japanese-American men found that avoiding health risks like smoking and obesity can lead to a longer and healthier life. The researchers identified several risk factors associated with healthy survival, including high grip strength, physical fitness, and avoiding excessive drinking.
A new study reveals that a public-designed health insurance plan can be fair and affordable for the uninsured, costing two-thirds of the average cost in California. The plan prioritizes coverage for chronic diseases and basic care, while making trade-offs to avoid high co-pays and deductibles.
New research finds that siblings' feelings of closeness with each other change across childhood and adolescence, influenced by parents' warmth and conflict. Siblings often turn to each other for support during difficult family circumstances.
A new study examines how different conflict styles between parents affect children's mental health and adjustment. Different types of conflict may have distinct implications for mothers' and fathers' parenting duties, with fathers' emotional unavailability having a greater impact on children's psychological problems.
A systematic review found no consistent evidence linking dietary folate intake to breast cancer risk. The review also did not find a significant association between a common genetic variation in the MTHFR gene and breast cancer risk.
Meridean L. Maas, a renowned expert in gerontology, has been awarded the 2006 Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Award by The Gerontological Society of America. Her groundbreaking work on Alzheimer's care in nursing homes has significantly influenced resident-centered environments for persons with cognitive impairment.
A new lab-on-a-chip technology can identify bacterial strains causing drug-resistant pneumonia in hours, cutting down the wait from days to hours. The technology also helps in developing new drugs and can test the efficacy of existing drugs on unknown strains.
A new study found that colon cancer patients with a body mass index of 35 kg/m² and higher had a significantly increased risk of cancer recurrence or death from colon cancer. Underweight patients, on the other hand, had a higher risk of death from non-colon cancer causes.
The Ludwig Institute has expended over $1.1 billion in cancer research since its inception, and the new gift will ensure annual research funds of approximately $2 million per center. The six US institutions will collaborate on a powerful force in cancer research.
A study of nearly 600,000 men aged 70 and older reveals that 56 percent had a routine PSA screening, despite lack of recommendation. Health status had little impact on whether a test was performed, with even those in poor health receiving the test.
Researchers challenge long-held theory of memory storage by discovering the neocortex drives dialogue between old and new brain regions during deep sleep. The study uses single-cell recordings to show synchronized communication, suggesting a reversal in traditional understanding of memory consolidation.
Tolvaptan has been shown to improve patients' serum sodium levels within hours, with sustained normalization during long-term therapy. The treatment also improved mental performance in patients with low serum sodium levels.
Julie McMullin, a University of Western Ontario researcher, has received the 2006 GSA's Margret M. Baltes Award for her outstanding early career contributions to behavioral and social gerontology. McMullin is an internationally recognized scholar in aging and the life course.
University of Utah engineers invented a tiny, inexpensive micropump that can move chemicals, blood or other samples through a card-sized medical laboratory. The pump could aid development of lab-on-a-chip technology, which aims to reduce the price and time for lab tests.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients who undergo angioplasty to open their totally blocked coronary arteries days after a heart attack do not reduce their risk of having another heart attack, going into heart failure, or dying. The study, which involved over 2,166 patients on five continents,...
NASA Goddard's carbon nanotubes are stronger than steel and can conduct electricity like copper, with applications in materials science, electronics, and medicine. The technology has been licensed to Idaho Space Materials, making it more accessible for research and development.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have invented two new gene 'chip' technologies to identify disease-causing mutations in the human genome. The TIP-chip can locate transposable elements that disrupt normal gene function, while a second chip contains twice as much genetic information, enabling faster and cheaper experiments.
Researchers at MCG have made a groundbreaking discovery about G proteins, which could lead to better understanding of drug action. The study found that certain G proteins don't dissociate, affecting the response of cells to epinephrine.
The Ludwig Fund has given a record-breaking $120 million to support cancer research at six top US institutions. The fund will provide annual research grants of approximately $2 million per center in perpetuity.
Virginia Tech's Toni M. Calasanti received the 2006 Richard Kalish Innovative Publication Award from The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) for her insightful and innovative publication on aging, 'Feminist Gerontology and Old Men.' This award recognizes state-of-the-art thinking in aging and life course development.
Researchers propose strengthening airport security for all travelers, rather than focusing on suspect profiles, to improve prevention of terror attacks. This approach balances security with the need to minimize delays and inconvenience for passengers.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered dynamic behavior in a mutant form of the protein GroEL, which chaperones misfolded proteins. Electron cryomicroscopy revealed an unprecedented expansion of the protein structure related to its function, highlighting the need for studying macromolecules in solution environments.
A mathematical model developed by MIT engineers can help optimize natural gas production in Malaysia. The model takes into account the complex interactions between pipelines, facilities, and contracts to ensure a reliable supply of this valuable fuel.
A global strategy for investigating Earth's geodynamics has been developed through international collaboration, aiming to advance understanding of continental rifting and break-up. The proposal includes sampling young, active rifting zones and ancient continental margins to investigate magma-forming processes associated with rifting.
Margaret Gatz received the award for her contributions to international collaborations and shaping US mental health policy and aging issues. The Kent Lecture is expected to be a highlight at the Annual Scientific Meeting, where Gatz will present.
Studies found that eating fish regularly reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by 40%, while childhood soy intake is associated with a 58% decrease in breast cancer risk. Vitamin use and smoking also show protective effects, providing valuable insights into diet's role in cancer prevention.
The University of Chicago Medical Center will focus on metastasis with a $20 million donation from the Virginia & D.K. Ludwig Fund for Cancer Research. Researchers aim to unravel what makes cancer susceptible to metastasis and develop new treatments.
Researchers found a process called 'trans-conditioning' influences whether a T cell becomes an effector or regulatory cell. This discovery may lead to new treatments for diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders like type I diabetes and arthritis.
Rafael de Cabo receives award for his work on caloric restriction and anti-aging effects, with the presentation to take place at GSA's Annual Scientific Meeting in Dallas, TX. The Gerontological Society of America established the Nathan Shock Award in 1986 to recognize outstanding contributions to gerontological research.
An international team of researchers has identified genes in Ustilago maydis that help the fungus live at its host plant's expense without killing it. The findings could lead to new ways to combat this fungus, which affects maize and other crops worldwide.
Researchers found that siblings can resolve past differences when working together and compromising on flexible plans. Older siblings often lead efforts to resolve conflicts with younger siblings' input, leading to better outcomes when both parties have high regard for each other's interests.
Researchers have developed a method for wireless energy transfer that uses non-radiative electromagnetic fields to power devices. The technology has the potential to recharge laptops and cell phones without wires, with an object the size of a laptop able to be charged within a few meters of a power source.
The Gerontological Society of America has chosen University of Washington's Linda Teri to receive the 2006 M. Powell Lawton Award for her groundbreaking research on interventions for patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Her work challenges traditional assumptions and demonstrates effective caregiver training in reducing depression and im...
Kyriakos S. Markides of UTMB received the 2006 GSA Award for Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology for fostering excellence and inspiring students with his research on health disparities in aging populations.
A study found that eating small amounts of dark chocolate daily can decrease the tendency of platelets to clot in narrow blood vessels, reducing heart attack risk. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 139 'chocolate offenders' who were excluded from a larger aspirin study and found them to be less reactive than those who abstained.
A new Mayo Clinic study reveals that normal aging of breast tissue reduces breast cancer risk, particularly in women who experience complete lobular regression. Women with complete involution have half the risk of developing breast cancer compared to those without.
Research reveals a link between cosmic rays and fluctuations in Earth's biosphere productivity, with star formation rates influencing cloud cover and climate. Cosmic radiation affected biological productivity through its influence on cloud formation, leading to higher productivity during cold periods.
A large international clinical trial found that stable patients who received late angioplasty after a heart attack did not have better outcomes than those on medical therapy alone. The study suggests that routine late opening of the blocked artery is unnecessary and should be reserved for unstable patients.
Research reveals that obese patients are one-third more likely to experience cancer recurrence, while underweight patients face a doubled risk of death from non-cancer causes. The study suggests that excess weight can lead to reduced treatment efficacy due to concurrent illnesses.
A recent study found that climate change impacts mussels beyond their northern and southern range limits, with temperature variations affecting thermal stress in the rocky intertidal zone. The research suggests conserving areas based on traditional methods may not be enough to protect mussel populations.
Researchers studied 100 patients and found symptoms recurred in 11% of patients, with physical stressors linked to worse survival rates. Abnormalities in small blood vessels may contribute to the condition.
Research by Jacqueline D. Woolley and colleagues reveals that young children (ages 3-6) use context to determine the truth of new information, not blindly accepting it as true. By age 4, children develop this skill significantly, distinguishing between factual and fantastical claims.
A combination therapy of tolterodine ER and tamsulosin resulted in statistically significant treatment benefits for men with overactive bladder and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Eighty percent of patients reported improvement in symptoms, compared to 62% on placebo, highlighting the potential for combination therapy in managing lower u...
Katherine Freund, president of ITN America, is recognized for her work in developing innovative programs that translate research into practical application or policy. The award acknowledges her efforts to improve mobility issues for older adults, ranking high in the 2005 White House Conference on Aging.
A study found that testosterone replacement therapy had little effect on prostate tissue, contrary to previous concerns. The treatment increased serum testosterone levels but showed no significant changes in prostate histology or cancer incidence.
John R. Nesselroade receives the award for his pioneering work on psychometrics of aging and its impact on representing complex interactions in aging. The GSA presented the honor at its 59th Annual Scientific Meeting in Dallas, TX.
Researchers discovered a pattern to Ebola's spread, linking it to wildlife populations and climate. The study found that the virus spreads both within and between species, with outbreaks more frequent than previously believed.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center developed a new test that analyzes blood metabolites to identify genetic predispositions to coronary artery disease. The study found strong heritabilities in certain metabolites, suggesting the potential to detect people at risk of developing the disease at an early age.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center present several studies on cardiovascular diseases, including the molecular roots of atrial fibrillation, genes influencing heart transplant rejection, and the cost of end-stage heart failure. Additionally, they explore the potential of stem cells to repair cardiac damage in patients wi...
The Gerontological Society of America has recognized Molly Carnes from the University of Wisconsin for her contributions to geriatrics through the prestigious 2006 Joseph T. Freeman Award. Carnes established a national model for ambulatory comprehensive evaluation at the VA Hospital in Madison, WI.
Mayo researchers found that stronger quadriceps muscles can help reduce cartilage loss in the knee joint. Participants with greater quadriceps strength had less cartilage loss in the patellofemoral joint, which is frequently affected by osteoarthritis.
A 3-year study shows significant improvements in self-esteem, nutrition, physical activity, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels among teen girls participating in the Teen Esteem program. The program aims to address obesity and other health issues in high-risk teen girls.
A study found that adding radiation therapy after prostate gland removal reduced PSA relapse and disease recurrence risk by 50% and 38%, respectively. However, it did not improve overall survival or metastasis-free survival.
Researchers have proven that tumours can be prevented from forming when embryonic stem cells are transplanted into laboratory animals. The team used microencapsulation technology to achieve this result, paving the way for vital therapies for disorders like diabetes.