A new study finds that concentrating antiretroviral drugs in urban areas could reduce new infections by up to 46%, but would violate basic ethical principles of treatment equity. The approach would also exacerbate urban/rural healthcare disparities.
Recent studies have found that levels of toxic metals in New Orleans soil samples were not significantly higher than before Hurricane Katrina. In fact, some pollutants may have decreased due to natural processes. Researchers are now focusing on restoring the Gulf Coast's resilience through science and engineering.
Accelerating weight loss before dementia onset is linked to Alzheimer's disease, according to a study of 449 healthy adults. Those who lost weight weighed about eight pounds less than those without the disease.
Researchers have developed a biodegradable wipe that can detect bacteria, viruses, and other biohazards using nanofibers containing antibodies. The new process could be used by anyone to rapidly uncover pathogens in contaminated areas, providing a fast indication of whether a biohazard is present.
Researchers at Cardiff University have been awarded £800,000 to commercially develop a protein-based therapeutic for treating infectious diseases. The 'Resolution Therapeutics' approach aims to enhance the body's natural defence mechanisms to promote infection clearance and reduce inflammation.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover that cancer cells use NF-kB survival factor to stay alive when attacked by chemotherapeutic drugs. This finding suggests a strategy to enhance the effectiveness of rapamycin-based therapies by inhibiting NF-kB signaling.
A new screening tool called the pedigree assessment tool (PAT) effectively identifies women at risk for hereditary breast cancer, outperforming another commonly used tool in assessing individual patient risk. The PAT was 100% sensitive in identifying high-risk patients with potential BRCA mutations.
A study of 120 older adults found significant memory problem complainants had reduced gray matter density in the brain, even without a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment. This suggests that memory complaints may indicate an early 'pre-MCI' stage of dementia.
A new study finds that human-caused increases in greenhouse gas concentrations are primarily responsible for rising ocean temperatures in key hurricane breeding grounds of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The research used 22 different computer models to show a strong link between warming sea surface temperatures and human activities.
A systematic review of international research found that there is no clear difference in the effectiveness of treatment provided by teaching and non-teaching hospitals. However, the researchers suggest that specific diseases may have different outcomes, and their findings will be useful for training doctors while providing the best car...
Researchers identified eight distinct regions in the US with varying life expectancies, with gaps between best-off and worst-off groups exceeding 15 years. Chronic diseases and injuries were found to be major contributors to these disparities.
New research suggests that human-caused increases in greenhouse gases are directly linked to warming of tropical Atlantic and Pacific oceans, which contributes to hurricane intensity. The study used computer models to analyze SST changes in smaller hurricane formation regions.
Brookhaven National Laboratory researchers are exploring the use of ionic liquids for nuclear fuel reprocessing to mitigate the risk of unintended chain reactions. By incorporating boron-containing ions, these liquid salts can hold up to a hundred times more dissolved plutonium before reaching critical thresholds.
Regenerative medicine holds promise for affordable treatments and offsetting donor shortages, particularly for diabetes, heart disease, and infectious diseases. The study prioritizes 10 applications, including novel insulin replacement methods, regenerating failed heart muscle, and engineered immune cells.
A six-year study found high progression rates of diabetic retinopathy in African Americans with type 1 diabetes, linked to poor glycemic control and high blood pressure. The study highlights the need for improved medical care and regular eye exams to detect vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
Intraocular pressure increased in 90% of weightlifters during exercises, with higher pressures observed when holding breath. The study suggests that weightlifting could be a potential risk factor for normal-tension glaucoma.
A team of researchers at Cornell University has developed a biodegradable absorbent wipe that can detect bacteria, viruses, and other biohazards using sensitive nanofibers. The innovative material is inexpensive, easy to use, and can provide fast indication of contaminant presence, enabling quick disinfection and retesting.
A long-term study found that elderly participants who developed mild dementia showed a doubling of their average weight loss rate one year prior to diagnosis. Researchers believe this link may be useful for detecting Alzheimer's disease earlier.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are developing fabrics from agricultural waste products, including chicken feathers and rice straw. These fibers have properties similar to wool and cotton, making them suitable for conventional clothing and textiles.
Researchers have developed a live, attenuated H5N1 avian flu vaccine that protected mice and ferrets from deadly infection with naturally occurring H5N1 flu viruses. The vaccine demonstrated cross-protection against different emerging H5N1 virus strains.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that GRK2 protein levels are elevated in patients with failing hearts compared to those with normal heart function. The study suggests that GRK2 could be a biomarker for heart failure and potentially predict patient response to treatment.
Johns Hopkins researchers create a technique to release biomolecules and nanoparticles from a tiny gold launch pad using an electric pulse, enabling controlled release of medication or materials.
Researchers develop nanotubes to enhance adult stem cells' ability to differentiate into neurons in stroke-damaged rat brains. Additionally, nanoparticles promote formation of blood vessels and boost cardiovascular function after heart attacks.
A recent study by Georgia Institute of Technology Professor Kenneth Knoespel explores the intersection of Sir Isaac Newton's alchemical practice and his work in economics, showing how his ideas on value were transformed into a systematic structure of social value.
Researchers found that severely impaired patients taking rivastigmine showed significant improvement in attention and verbal memory test scores compared to placebo-treated patients. Rivastigmine was also found to be safe and well-tolerated with common side effects including nausea and dizziness.
The National Science Foundation has extended funding for Rice University's Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology through 2011. The center, founded in 2001, is dedicated to studying the interaction between nanomaterials and living organisms and ecosystems.
A study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council finds that childless women, mothers of five or more children, teenage mothers, and those with short birth intervals have higher risks of death and poor health. Partnership and parenting experiences are crucial in influencing later life health.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found a possible association between the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and severe violence in a small number of individuals. The authors analyzed data from various sources, including prescription-event monitoring studies and legal cases, to examine this potential link.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a new catalyst that efficiently removes and destroys harmful perchlorate in contaminated groundwater. The catalyst, composed of palladium and rhenium supported on activated carbon, operates at room temperature and can eliminate perchlorate altogether.
Chemical cues from fathers may be delaying the onset of sexual maturity in daughters as part of an evolutionary strategy to prevent inbreeding. Researchers found that girls without fathers matured approximately three months before those whose fathers were present, with urban environments also linked to earlier menarche.
Researchers have created tiny test tubes made of single-walled carbon nanotubes, which enables them to probe the role of extreme molecular confinement on chemical behavior. The nanotubes allow water molecules to bond together into rings and shield reactive molecules from reacting with other chemicals.
Researchers developed live attenuated vaccines using weakened influenza virus proteins and found they elicited broad and lasting immunity in mice and ferrets. The vaccines provided protection against different H5N1 viruses that emerged years later, demonstrating potential as a future treatment option for avian flu.
Researchers have discovered fucoxanthin in brown seaweed, which reduces abdominal fat and stimulates the liver to produce DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid. The compound could be developed into a pill for weight loss, but human studies are planned and may take several years.
A team of scientists found that endogenous retroviruses are critical during early pregnancy in sheep, supporting the development of the placenta. The study suggests these retroviruses are remnants of ancient infections and have become indispensable for pregnancy in mammals.
Researchers at UW-Madison have developed DNA-coated stents that release gene-based therapy to prevent restenosis, a common problem with metal stents. Additionally, they've created microwell arrays to grow undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells with defined sizes and shapes.
A recent study found that colchicine significantly reduces the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatitis virus-related end-stage liver disease. Colchicine treatment delays HCC diagnosis by an average of 72 months and improves survival rates.
Researchers found that elevated troponin-T and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels in the blood indicate high risk of deadly heart attacks. Patients with low levels may not benefit from aggressive treatment and could be harmed by invasive procedures.
Researchers are creating a computer-based program to evaluate the impact of environmental policies on the auto industry and consumer behavior. The five-year study will build and link computer models to understand the response of consumers and producers to policy decisions and their environmental impact.
Research found that air travel affects both the peak date and rate of spread of flu in the US. The study analyzed government records on deaths from flu and pneumonia between 1996 and 2005 and discovered that flu season started about two weeks later than usual after 9/11 restrictions on air travel were implemented.
Researchers found that BMPs regulate neural patterning in fruit flies and vertebrates, implying a conserved evolutionary process. A unified model of early neural development suggests that at least part of the neural patterning mechanism has been preserved from a shared ancestral organism over 500 million years ago.
A recent analysis suggests that limiting flights after 9/11 delayed the onset of the 2001-2002 U.S. flu season and slowed flu spread. By analyzing real data on influenza mortality and air travel volume, researchers found a strong correlation between reduced airline activity and delayed flu peaks.
Researchers are developing models to understand electronic interactions in molecular systems, which could lead to more efficient energy production. By predicting the probability of electron transfer, scientists aim to design new technologies such as improved solar cells.
Researchers found a new pathway for building neurotransmitter lipids using enzyme Abh4, which could lead to more selective treatment options for metabolic and central nervous system disorders.
Researchers investigated the impact of two copies of the G2019S Parkinson's gene mutation on disease severity. They found no observable differences in symptoms, age of onset, or life expectancy between those with two copies and those with only one copy.
A study published in the American Cancer Society found that women with higher levels of physical activity before diagnosis had better five-year survival patterns compared to those with lower activity levels.
A study of 14 Swedish amateur boxers found higher levels of certain chemicals in their cerebrospinal fluid indicating injuries to neurons and astroglia after a bout. The findings suggest that amateur boxing is associated with acute neuronal and astroglial injury, warranting further investigation for medical counseling of athletes.
A comprehensive review of SARS treatment efficacy has found no evidence that any treatments were effective in treating the virus. The review examined 54 SARS treatment studies and 15 in-vitro studies but concluded that none of the treatments were successful.
Researchers at Barrow will study neurons from HH tumors to understand why seizures occur and how GABA causes excitation instead of inhibition in some HH neurons. The study aims to develop new strategies for treating gelastic epilepsy.
Researchers successfully exploited oxidative stress in cancer cells to preferentially kill malignant cells while exhibiting minimal toxicity in normal cells. The study found that a naturally occurring compound called PEITC can be used to achieve such activity.
The book commemorates Alois Alzheimer's discovery of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and explores its evolution as a major public health problem, affecting 30-40 million people worldwide. The publication brings together key voices in the field to reflect on classic studies and chart the future direction of AD research.
A recent study confirms the 'island rule,' where small animals evolve into oversized versions of their continental counterparts, while large animals shrink. Island species exhibit accelerated evolutionary changes over short time frames, with a faster rate of evolution than mainland species.
Researchers at Stanford University have created a novel biomimetic material called Duoptix TM that can be used to develop an artificial cornea. The hydrogel material is transparent, permeable to nutrients, and resistant to surface proteins and inflammation, making it suitable for surgical implantation.
Researchers found that zolmitriptan nasal spray was effective in treating cluster headaches, providing pain relief to 50% of patients. The medication's quick absorption and minimal side effects make it a potential first-line treatment option for acute cluster headaches.
A new study ranks the top applications of regenerative medicine for improving health in developing countries, including novel insulin replacement and pancreatic islet cell regeneration for diabetes. Regenerating failed heart muscle using a patient's own cells is also highly ranked.
A study by University of Bath researchers found that drivers pass closer to cyclists wearing helmets than those without, increasing the risk of a collision. The research suggests that drivers perceive cyclists with helmets as more experienced and predictable, leading them to leave less space.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to develop antibiotics, which is more efficient and environmentally friendly. This breakthrough could help create powerful new drugs to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
Researchers argue that Uganda's dramatic decline in HIV rates was partly due to the 'ABC' approach, which included policies to advance women's status. However, critics counter that the approach assumes unrealistic social circumstances for young women, putting them at risk of exploitation and ignorance.
Research by Andreas Hemp reveals a host of rare plants in Kilimanjaro's forests, contrary to previous thought, and explains the mountain's unique bamboo zone absence due to elephant lack. The complex links between plants and animals are showcased, highlighting human impact on forest diversity.
A new study suggests that Prozac exposure can prematurely release larvae in freshwater mussels, potentially dooming them. The findings contribute to the growing concern about pharmaceutical pollution's impact on native aquatic species.