Scientists have identified a severe form of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tied to a gene called JM-27. A blood test detects high levels of this protein, indicating more severe symptoms. This discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and targeted treatment for bladder-related complications.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions recommends stringent quality standards for PCI in hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery. These standards aim to ensure patient safety and excellent clinical outcomes, including case volume limits and training of support personnel.
Scientists analyzed ancient rocks from Hudson Bay in Quebec to confirm that high concentrations of greenhouse gases could have sustained surface temperatures above freezing 3.75 billion years ago. The study suggests that carbon dioxide played a crucial role as the Earth's 'thermostat' to support life on the planet.
Researchers have discovered that mutations in the espin protein can impair hearing by causing floppy bundles of protein filaments in hair cells. This structure change prevents the transmission of nerve impulses to the brain, leading to deafness. The findings offer a potential 'rescue' mechanism for this form of deafness.
Researchers at University College London have discovered the structure and function of a crucial gene regulating blood pressure. The study reveals that loss of activity in this gene leads to reduced nitric oxide production, a key player in cardiovascular health.
Researchers have developed a novel method to identify and predict promoter and enhancer regions that switch on transcription, enabling large-scale functional annotation of 'enhancers'. The study uses the 'histone code' to distinguish between promoters and enhancer regions.
A study by Daniel Ames and Francis Flynn found that assertiveness is the most common weakness among aspiring leaders, with 48% suggesting too much or too little. The researchers suggest that leaders who exhibit moderate assertiveness may be better able to balance their responses.
Jiong Qiu, a Montana State University scientist, has won the Karen Harvey Award for her research on magnetic eruptions on the sun and moon brightness. Her work focuses on analyzing measurements to understand activities in space.
The researchers will build a two-color light-detection and ranging system (LIDAR) to measure aerosol concentrations up to several miles high. This device will help understand complex relations between aerosols, greenhouse gases, and global warming.
A study found that emergency departments in the US test for chest pain differently depending on a patient's race, gender, and insurance. African American males were less likely to receive diagnostic tests, including electrocardiography and cardiac monitoring.
Patients treated with REMICADE experienced significant improvements in work and daily activities, with mean increases of 2.9-3.1 points compared to little improvement in placebo-treated patients. Psoriasis is an inflammatory disorder that can cause physical pain and emotional distress, impacting productivity.
Researchers discovered that ceramide helps stem cells organize into primitive ectoderm, which further differentiates into embryo tissues. The lipid's presence is essential for cell polarity and differentiation.
A Penn State College of Medicine pilot study found that 89 percent of participants with diagnosed Crohn's disease showed improvement with low-dose naltrexone therapy, while 67 percent achieved remission. This novel approach offers a simple and safe treatment option for the chronic inflammatory disorder.
The University of Nottingham has been awarded a £300,000 grant to collaborate with Indian researchers on a four-year project exploring mixture toxicity in living organisms. The project aims to develop a mathematical model predicting how organisms respond to chemical pollution.
A 15-year study on liver retransplantation found positive trends in indications for surgery, fewer rejections and complications, and improved intensive care management. Therapeutic measures such as immunosuppressant dosage reduction and early blood transfusions contributed to better patient survival rates.
Researchers from Indiana University found that active patient involvement during treatment of chronic heart failure, coupled with collaboration between healthcare teams, significantly improves quality of care. Lifestyle changes such as exercise, reducing salt intake, and managing stress are also crucial for longer survival rates.
A study at NIMH found that brain reward circuit activity ebbs and flows with a woman's hormonal cycle. Women exhibited more active circuitry during the pre-ovulation phase dominated by estrogen compared to the post-ovulatory phase, suggesting links between hormone fluctuations and mood disorders.
Purdue University researchers have developed a new class of tiny sensors that can measure gas flow on the scale of micrometers and nanometers. These sensors could be used in environmental protection to measure the leakage of hydrocarbon fumes from fuel tanks and in pharmaceutical preservation to test packages for gas leaks.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison devise approach to 'see' extra dimensions by deciphering cosmic energy released in the universe's violent birth. The method provides evidence for testing string theory's existence and predicts specific shapes for the six hidden dimensions.
Patients with severe psoriasis receiving Remicade experienced significant improvements in skin and nail symptoms. The treatment achieved PASI 75 in over three-quarters of patients at week 10.
Researchers found that losartan improves muscle regeneration and repair in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a devastating disease characterized by rapid progression of muscle degeneration. The study also showed that losartan can attenuate the entire disease when treated over time.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will be a key partner in the new Energy Biosciences Institute, which aims to explore the potential benefits of using corn crop residues and other herbaceous perennials as fuel sources. Researchers hope to create a sustainable and efficient process for producing high-quality plant biomass.
The study reveals that sediment folding may have contributed to the massive 2004 Sumatra tsunami. The unusual shape of the upper plate boundary, resembling a suspension bridge, created an area with multiple peaks and valleys that amplified water displacement when the plate snapped back.
Researchers at the University of Delaware will identify nano-sized catalysts to convert liquid fuels into hydrogen. The goal is to supply affordable hydrogen with reduced emissions for powering cars and heating homes.
A survey of 1,142 patients with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis found that nearly 40% are not receiving treatment. The study also showed that those with severe psoriasis are more likely to have a lower household income.
Researchers found that modifying the 1918 flu virus's hemagglutinin receptor binding site reduced its ability to transmit in ferrets. The study suggests that understanding this molecular mechanism could lead to the development of novel drugs to stop influenza transmission and prevent epidemics.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that only nine of 70 Phase II studies clearly defined measures to judge experimental drug effectiveness. This limits the accuracy of testing new treatments for cancer patients.
Researchers discovered that exposure to food odors in fruit flies can reduce their lifespan and partially reverse the effects of dietary restriction. The study suggests that our sense of smell may play a role in human longevity.
Using artificial atoms on a chip, Yale physicists have successfully detected and stored individual microwave photons, bringing quantum mechanics to a larger scale. This breakthrough enables the creation of new types of quantum machines that can exponentially speed up computations in cryptography, quantum physics, and chemistry.
Researchers develop a fluorescent marker to distinguish between mitochondria in neurons and glial cells, providing insights into neurodegenerative diseases. The study sheds light on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and neurological disorders.
The new CTX system will enable doctors and scientists to see inside living humans and animals, tracking 3-D skeletal movements with precision. This technology has applications for basic and applied research, including biomechanics, orthopedic surgeries, and injury treatments.
GST pi is a critical enzyme that stands at the crossroads of several biochemical pathways leading to Parkinson's disease. It prevents both externally provoked cell death and internally initiated suicide by blocking the formation of free radicals, which cause cell damage.
Future US federal climate change policy is likely to include a national carbon dioxide cap, mandatory renewable energy portfolio standards, and increased vehicle fleet gasoline efficiency standards. These policies are already being implemented in the public and private sectors, with identifiable constituencies of well-networked actors.
Sexual symptoms can signal serious disease; common medical disorders negatively impact sexual function. Physicians should routinely consider risk factors and assess dysfunctions.
Recent studies on animal migration have gained insights into the evolution of this complex phenomenon, yet much remains unknown. Advances in technology are helping scientists better understand the mechanisms behind migration, including the role of genetic correlations in determining future evolutionary changes.
Researchers found that an inhaled drug may provide a new therapeutic for asthma by inhibiting Th2 cell inflammatory responses. Additionally, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation enabled infused tumor-reactive T cells to expand and increase tumor regression in mice.
Fruit flies exposed to yeast paste odor did not live as long as calorie-restricted insects without the odor, suggesting that reduced perception plays a role in extending lifespan. The study found that flies with impaired sense of smell lived up to 57% longer and were more stress-resistant.
Researchers used toll-like receptor agonists to stimulate an immune response against breast cancer tumors, preventing spontaneous growth and slowing tumor development. The vaccine was most effective when given prior to tumor appearance, extending survival but not curing the disease.
A new study has discovered a potential link between an approved obesity drug and cancer treatment. Researchers found that the drug Orlistat can block fatty acid synthase, an enzyme crucial for tumor cell growth, promoting cell death instead.
Researchers at Erasmus University found that inhaling iloprost, a pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment, inhibits the Th2 cell inflammatory response in mice with allergic asthma. This study suggests targeting dendritic cells via iloprost may provide a new treatment for individuals with asthma.
A new study found that a series of simple blood tests can accurately diagnose liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The FibroIndex was more accurate than two other indices and showed promise as a non-invasive alternative to liver biopsy.
Researchers have developed a new model of Parkinson's disease in fruit flies, confirming the link between dopamine and a mutant form of the parkin protein. The study found that a single copy of the mutation was toxic to dopaminergic neurons, leading to motor dysfunction.
The study found that patients with higher nitric oxide levels had better survival rates, more ventilator-free days, and lower rates of organ failure. Lower tidal volume respiration was also associated with increased NO levels and improved outcomes.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that 18% of American men experience erectile dysfunction, with age being a major risk factor. Lifestyle changes such as increased physical activity and disease prevention measures may also improve male sexual function.
Researchers estimate that thousands of wind turbines could generate up to 330 gigawatts of average electrical power off the Mid-Atlantic coast, reducing carbon emissions by 68% and greenhouse gases by 57%. The study's findings suggest a significant potential for offshore wind energy in the region.
Researchers developed a Bayesian network model to forecast the success of new drugs, reducing mean capitalized expenditures by an average of $283 million per successful new drug. More data sharing by the pharmaceutical industry could improve forecasting accuracy and benefit patients by eliminating unsafe investigational new drugs.
A new study has discovered a way to identify cells that will cause graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in blood cancer patients. This breakthrough allows for more reliable testing of donor T cells and personalized medicine approaches, potentially saving thousands of lives.
A nationally representative survey of 1,022 adults found that 69 percent would prefer a dietary approach to treating diabetes, while just 21 percent preferred medication. The survey results support clinical research findings on the effectiveness of low-fat vegetarian diets in controlling and reversing diabetes.
Researchers found that people perceive the minds of others along two distinct dimensions: agency (self-control, morality) and experience (feelings, sensations). This framework sheds light on moral and legal decisions and highlights the subjective nature of perceiving mental attributes in others.
A UCLA-led study examines 48 years of White House press conferences, finding that economic downturns and second-term effects trigger more aggressive questioning. The researchers also discovered that journalists become more restrained on foreign affairs but still grill presidents on domestic issues.
Researchers have made a major breakthrough in understanding the unconventional superconductor URu2Si2 by studying its electron movements using neutron probes. The study reveals that the wandering particles work out an unexpected accommodation in the spacing of their energy levels, leading to a more orderly and cooperative behavior.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered that the most common chemical reaction causing sunburn is triggered by a very short-lived excited state of DNA, contradicting previous beliefs. This finding has significant implications for understanding how UV damage leads to skin cancer and other diseases.
A recent study found that individuals' annual travel is equivalent to 5.25 tonnes of carbon dioxide on average, with the top 20% of 'emitters' responsible for 61% of all travel emissions. High-income earners, particularly employed men, are among the largest contributors to climate change impact through their travel patterns.
Researchers have discovered a new way to fight colorectal cancer by targeting the 'skeletons' of cancer cells, which enable them to reproduce and spread. High-dose PPARgamma inhibitors destroy cancer cell microtubules, reducing their ability to grow and metastasize.
A study found that pneumococcal vaccination can prevent 262,000 child deaths annually. The vaccine's net cost of $838 million is considered cost-effective due to the significant reduction in child mortality.
Researchers identified a small number of cells in pancreatic cancer capable of fueling tumor growth, which are thought to be the cancer stem cells. These cells can replicate and produce new tumors, making them a crucial target for therapy.
A study found female lacrosse players are more likely to suffer head, face, and eye injuries due to lack of protective gear. The research suggests that the absence of required protective eyewear contributed to a higher rate of such injuries among female high school and college players.
The RAND Corporation's study found that privately managed schools in Philadelphia showed comparable academic gains to the rest of the district, while restructured schools demonstrated significant improvements in math and reading. The findings suggest challenges in implementing private management on a large scale.
Climate scientists reviewed observations of carbon dioxide, temperature, and sea level from 1990-2006 and found that actual changes closely followed projected scenarios. Sea levels have risen faster than previously estimated, with some uncertainties remaining about the contribution of ice-sheet melts.
A recent report by the National Dairy Council highlights the importance of dairy consumption among African Americans. The study found that African Americans in all age groups have lower average intakes of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and consume fewer servings of dairy foods compared to non-African Americans.