A recent study found that financial constraints hinder heart attack patients from seeking healthcare services or taking vital medications, resulting in poorer health outcomes. Patients with unaffordable medications had a 50% higher chance of being re-hospitalized for cardiac conditions.
Researchers found that adolescence leads to a significant loss of neurons in the ventral prefrontal cortex, particularly in females, which challenges current models of brain development. This finding has implications for understanding human psychopathologies like schizophrenia and depression that often arise during late adolescence.
Researchers used MRI scans to simulate everyday experience of people with cochlear implants, finding the angular gyrus plays a key role in decoding distorted sentences. In noisy environments, other brain regions are engaged to help interpret predictable speech.
A new species of snapper, Lutjanus alexandrei, has been discovered in the Abrolhos region of Brazil's South Atlantic Ocean. The species was previously mistaken for a dog snapper and was found to have distinct markings and color.
Scientists have discovered a new type of cell that plays a role in cancer development, which can either remain benign or become malignant depending on environmental cues. The finding may help define the role of cancer stem cells in tumor growth and recurrence.
A new study reports that zolpidem, an insomnia drug, temporarily improved brain function in a patient with akinetic mutism. The patient was able to communicate and perform basic functions after receiving the drug for insomnia. PET scans revealed increased brain activity in areas involved in motivation and cognitive processing.
Increased expression of an accessory subunit of L-type calcium channels is linked to altered channel behavior in human heart failure. Researchers have identified a causal role for this protein overexpression in the development of cardiac dysfunction.
The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine honored several individuals who have significantly contributed to the field of medical diagnostic ultrasound. The awards, including the William J. Fry Memorial Lecture Award and the Distinguished Sonographer Award, were presented at the 2007 AIUM Annual Convention in New York City.
Dr William O'Brien Jr is recognized for his numerous contributions to the scientific progress of diagnostic medical ultrasound. He has published 318 papers and received a National Institutes of Health MERIT award.
The authors propose a market-based approach to increase the value of care delivered, organizing care around medical conditions and integrating treatment with prevention. Measuring results-risk-adjusted outcomes and costs-per-medical-condition is crucial for improving value.
A new study suggests that aging has evolved as a strategy to allow family lines to persist longer. By concentrating cellular damage in one individual, the rest of the line can continue to reproduce without harm. This asymmetric reproduction method may be favored by evolution due to its potential to increase longevity.
Children raised in one-parent households are at a higher risk for childhood sexual abuse, according to a study. The risk is particularly high in lower-income families where the single parent may be absent more frequently, making children more vulnerable to predators.
Visceral fat cells secrete inflammatory molecules that increase systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. The study found high levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in obese patients, supporting the notion that visceral fat contributes to metabolic problems.
A new study published in Nursing Research found that obstetrical anesthesia is extremely safe, with no difference in safety between hospitals staffed by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) or anesthesiologists. The study analyzed data from over 134,000 patients and found similar complication rates for both groups.
Researchers at Stanford and Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science built a nanoscale semiconductor system that demonstrates the two-channel Kondo effect. By tuning the coupling between two sets of mobile electrons, they created a state where the magnetic atom cannot decide which set to pair with, leading to a conductance that depends s...
A new study using global ocean samples has revealed a vast array of microbial diversity, with the largest genomic dataset ever compiled. This massive data set includes over 6 billion base pairs of genetic material from marine microbes, which have been classified into thousands of distinct families.
A fossil juvenile from Jebel Irhoud, Morocco, dated to approximately 160,000 years ago, showed a modern human life history profile at almost 8 years of age. This finding suggests that prolonged childhood development may be linked to the origins of social and biological changes.
Scientists have analyzed vast amounts of marine microbial DNA, predicting over 6 million proteins and discovering hundreds of new gene families. The study provides a glimpse into the diverse world of protein families and their role in biology.
Researchers at Yale University identified a potential autism gene through a global genome scan involving 120 scientists from 50 institutions. The study found two genes linked to autism: neurexin 1 and a gene on chromosome 11, which may contribute to the disorder's susceptibility.
Patients switching to high-deductible health plans experienced a 10% reduction in emergency department visits for less severe conditions. This decrease suggests patients are deferring non-emergency care, but more research is needed to understand long-term consequences.
The USGS has developed a new waterborne aquaculture drug, 35% PEROX-AID, which was recently approved by the FDA for use in treating three major freshwater fish diseases. The approval is expected to benefit both commercial and public aquaculture industries, reducing losses estimated at $100 million annually.
Researchers analyzed gene expression patterns in leukocytes from children with four common infections: flu, staph, strep, and E. coli. They identified infectious agents with high accuracy rates, distinguishing between viral and bacterial pneumonias.
A 160,000-year-old fossil found in Morocco reveals human growth patterns that are more similar to those of living humans than previously thought. The study used X-ray images to analyze tooth growth and eruption age, suggesting a relatively long childhood existed at least 160,000 years ago.
A study found that undocumented immigrants with pregnant women account for 48,391 Emergency Medicaid cases, with 99% being Hispanic and 95% female. This trend indicates an increasing burden on publicly funded healthcare, necessitating improved services such as comprehensive contraceptive care and chronic disease management.
Researchers have developed a system that uses a single trapped atom to generate high-quality single photons, which can be controlled and made indistinguishable for quantum computing. The 'single-photon server' has the potential to revolutionize quantum information processing by enabling deterministic atom-photon entanglement experiments.
A recent survey reveals that almost half of US adults have never heard of probiotics, but many show interest in trying them due to intestinal health concerns. The study highlights the growing awareness and potential benefits of probiotic supplements in preventing and managing gastrointestinal issues.
A new study reveals that up to 1 in 10 infected infants may survive into late childhood or early adolescence without diagnosis or treatment. Late diagnosis can significantly affect their future health and long-term survival, emphasizing the need for accessible and sympathetic HIV testing and treatment services.
Wernicke encephalopathy, a serious neurological condition, is increasingly reported after obesity surgery due to vitamin deficiency and vomiting. Patients should be alert for symptoms such as confusion, lack of coordination, and visual changes.
A team led by Massachusetts General Hospital confirms that Pittsburgh Compound B binds to amyloid-beta protein in the human brain, a key step in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. The findings support using PET imaging with PiB to track treatment results and emphasize the need for clinical symptom evaluation.
An estimated 60 million American adults are at high risk of vision loss due to various factors such as age, diabetes, and income level. Only half of the high-risk population visited an eye doctor in the past year, emphasizing the need for better access to preventive eye care services.
Researchers at New York University and Texas A&M University found that perceived attractiveness depends on the compatibility of biological sex and gendered cues. Female targets were judged more attractive when perceived as feminine, while male targets were more attractive when perceived as masculine.
A new study reveals that elevated CO2 levels stimulate soils to release carbon dioxide, rather than store it. The research found that soil loss due to decomposition offsets gains in plant biomass, suggesting that soils may not be a reliable carbon sink under high CO2 conditions.
The University of Wisconsin is conducting a clinical trial using adult stem cells to treat severe coronary artery disease. The study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of blood-derived selected stem cells in improving symptoms and clinical outcomes in patients with chronic myocardial ischemia.
Individuals with one or more long-lived parents may have fewer risk factors for heart disease in middle age, according to a study. Those whose parents survived to age 85 or older tend to have optimal blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and lower cardiovascular risk scores.
New research from the University of Washington suggests that understanding why employees choose to stay in their jobs is crucial for retaining good workers. The 'unfolding model' explains why employees leave, while 'job embeddedness' describes forces that keep workers engaged.
A computer-based decision tool has been developed to predict a patient's treatment preferences when they are incapacitated. This tool, called a 'population-based treatment indicator,' analyzes the treatment preferences of similar individuals and estimates the likelihood that the patient would want certain treatments.
Stuart F. Brown, a Fortune magazine writer, has won the 2007 James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public. The award recognizes his ability to convey complex scientific concepts in an engaging and accessible manner.
A recent study published in The Journal of Experimental Biology suggests that longer legs are more efficient due to reduced force production and lower energy cost. According to the LiMB model developed by Herman Pontzer, this is because longer limbs require less force to move, resulting in decreased energy expenditure.
A sociocultural anthropologist found that Indian farmers' inability to test new genetically modified crops led to a breakdown in traditional farming methods. The speed of change, number of choices in the seed market, and desire for novelty resulted in fads, not testing.
A team of researchers led by Susan Cozzens is working to improve water supply and sanitation in developing countries. They aim to create new approaches to water supply and sanitation, focusing on storing, treating, and disinfecting water, as well as developing sanitation systems that minimize pathogen release.
The Microbicide Trials Network will conduct 17 clinical trials over seven years to determine if topical microbicides can prevent the sexual transmission of HIV in women. The network, supported by NIH, brings together international investigators and community partners to develop and evaluate microbicides.
A study by researchers at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions found that 18% of young women experienced sexual victimization over a two-year period. The majority (66%) of these cases involved intimate partners, highlighting the need for tailored prevention strategies to address both types of victimization.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that men are more likely than women to achieve functional independence after receiving clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) following a stroke. The study found that despite lower survival rates, men had better outcomes at three months post-treatment.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that weight loss surgery can lead to vitamin B1 deficiency, resulting in memory loss, confusion, and other neurological problems. The syndrome, known as Wernicke encephalopathy, affects the brain and nervous system when the body lacks sufficient thiamine.
A new study reveals that expert centers with extensive experience in managing cancer are more cost-effective over time, providing significantly longer quality-adjusted survival compared to less experienced medical centers. High-volume multidisciplinary centers also show better outcomes for ovarian cancer patients.
A new study by Smithsonian scientists suggests that environmental changes in the Caribbean led to extinctions 2 million years after the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. The research found that most coral and snail species died off a good 2 million years after the environmental change that caused their demise.
Researchers create polymer-based sensor that detects bacterial contamination with fluorescent signals, reducing detection time from days to hours. The new technology has immediate applications in healthcare and battlefield conditions.
A study found that G6PD deficiency protects hemizygous male children but not heterozygous female children against severe malaria. The deficiency appears to mitigate disease processes set up by infected red blood cells in the bloodstream, offering a survival benefit.
Researchers made an unprecedented measurement of the electric field in magnetic reconnection using ESA's Cluster satellites. They discovered that the electric field plays a key role in the process, releasing energy and triggering jets of energetic particles.
African-American men face significant barriers to timely diagnosis and screening due to constrained healthcare access, distrust of physicians, and socioeconomic disadvantages. The study reveals that knowledge about prostate cancer is comparable to that of white men, but lack of trust in medical care leads to irregular interactions and ...
According to a recent study, veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan experience high rates of substance abuse, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. Nearly one-third of these veterans received mental health or psychosocial diagnoses during their first visit to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Scientists have discovered that anti-fungal drugs can kill the TB bacteria, potentially effective against emerging drug-resistant strains. The study found that chemicals called azoles target a specific enzyme in the TB bacterium, leading to its death.
A comprehensive review highlights clinically relevant differences in women and men's heart disease prevalence, presentation, management, and outcomes. Young women with acute coronary syndrome face higher mortality rates than young men.
A UCLA study reports that over half of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis improved their walking distance by at least 20% after taking Viagra. The medication may help breathing by opening or dilating blood vessels to allow more blood flow to the lungs.
A new study reveals that a plant pathogen played a key role in allowing non-native grasses to invade California, dramatically changing the state's vast grassland ecosystem. The research suggests that diseases can facilitate the invasion of exotic species, which threatens biodiversity and ecological function.
A population-based study found clinically significant variation in breast cancer treatment rates across Manitoba, suggesting the guidelines have not met their objective. The study's findings imply that guideline implementation is not a straightforward process and that other factors influence adoption.
Researchers challenge the cancer stem cell hypothesis, suggesting that tumors arise from normal cells and genetic variation rather than a single abnormal stem cell. The study identifies two distinct populations of cancer cells that can be targeted with experimental drugs.
Researchers aim to identify defective point in insulin signalling pathway for PCOS treatment. Insulin resistance linked to PCOS symptoms, fertility problems, and type-2 diabetes risk.
The NIAID has selected 60 U.S. and international institutions as HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) to conduct next-generation research on vaccines, prevention, and treatment. The CTUs will work together with clinical research networks to tackle critical research questions and accelerate progress against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Scientists analyzed DNA and tooth shape in modern and ancient pigs to contradict longstanding ideas about Pacific colonist origins. The research suggests that ancient humans may have traveled between islands before reaching New Guinea and eventually landing on Hawaii and French Polynesia.