The study found that anthracycline-based chemotherapy improves disease-free and overall survival rates more than non-anthracycline-based regimens for women with HER2-positive tumors. However, the treatment showed no significant benefit for patients with HER2-negative breast cancer.
Cancer risk increases with age, yet elderly nursing home residents receive relatively few cancer care services. According to a recent study, only 28% of patients with late-stage cancer received hospice care, highlighting the need for further investigation into cancer care in this population.
Travelers to tropical regions are at risk of contracting neglected tropical diseases, including filarial infections that can cause elephantiasis and river blindness. The GeoSentinel Surveillance Network collected data on traveler diagnoses, revealing immigrants from endemic regions were most likely to acquire these infections.
A new screening strategy has been developed to detect Chagas disease in children, which could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment in low-resource settings. The strategy uses data from insecticide spraying campaigns to target diagnostic testing, identifying over 83% of infected children.
A mutation in the dynein protein may cause inherited neuropathy by disrupting cargo transport in sensory nerve cells, leading to severe proprioception defects and early-onset locomotion problems. This study provides crucial clues for developing better treatments for peripheral neuropathy.
Researchers identified brain regions that fire up more when people make impulsive decisions, a key finding linking thinking patterns to addiction. The study suggests raising dopamine levels may be an effective treatment for addiction, offering new approach to therapy and potential subtypes of alcoholics.
A genetic mutation known to affect Ashkenazi Jewish breast cancer patients is also prevalent among Hispanic and young African-American women. Research found that 3.5% of Hispanic women had the BRCA1 mutation, while 16.7% of African-American women under 35 did so.
Breast cancer patients who received tamoxifen or chemotherapy had a reduced risk of developing a second cancer in the other breast. Chemotherapy was associated with a 43% risk reduction, lasting up to 10 years, while tamoxifen use resulted in a 34% risk reduction that persisted for five years.
Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acid DHA increases LR11 production, protecting against Alzheimer's disease. Low levels of LR11 lead to toxic plaques associated with the disease.
Large numbers of poor Americans are suffering from parasitic infections like toxocariasis, cysticercosis, and toxoplasmosis. These neglected diseases disproportionately affect minority populations living in inner cities and poor rural areas, causing significant health issues such as lung disease, epilepsy, and congenital birth defects.
A new study found that certain brain injuries, such as damage to the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, may reduce the likelihood of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in combat-exposed veterans. The findings suggest that drugs or pacemaker-like devices targeting these areas might be effective treatments for PTSD.
Bone skates were an early means of human-powered transport, with a recent study supporting their origins in Southern Finland. The use of bone skates limited energy consumption by 10% in winter, but only slightly in other North European countries.
Research at Rockefeller University reveals that flies use stereo cues to navigate towards scented targets more accurately when detecting smells with both olfactory organs. By exploiting infrared technology, scientists created an environment where they could visualize and quantify the distribution of smells.
Researchers have developed gold nanoparticles with antibody fragments that can identify tumors in living animals. The particles emit a specific signal when illuminated by a laser beam, enabling early detection of cancer. This technology offers a non-invasive and potentially more effective approach to cancer diagnosis.
Researchers find that adenosine, a sleep-inducing brain chemical, plays a central role in deep brain stimulation's success. The technique disrupts abnormal nerve signals and alleviates symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders.
Two large-scale studies found no statistically significant difference in survival rates between Chest-Compression-Only CPR and traditional CPR with mouth-to-mouth breathing. This contradicts previous guidelines that recommended interrupting chest compressions for breaths.
Researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center have identified cancer stem cells as a potential cause of brain tumors. The study aims to develop more accurate and specific cancer diagnoses using these stem cells.
Researchers at UT-ORNL have made progress toward understanding high-temperature superconductivity by studying the behavior of electrons in materials like PLCCO. They found evidence suggesting that magnetism plays a role in creating pairs of electrons, which are crucial for this phenomenon.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that only a third of breast cancer patients discussed reconstruction options with their surgeon. Women who did discuss reconstruction were four times more likely to choose a mastectomy, highlighting the importance of informed decision-making in surgical choices.
Researchers have discovered a new platinum-based compound that is up to 80 times more powerful than current anti-cancer drugs and can target cancer cells with high accuracy using light activation. The compound's stability and non-toxicity in the dark make it an attractive alternative for treating surface cancers.
Researchers genetically engineered a mosquito to release sea-cucumber protein, which impairs malaria parasite development in the insect's gut. The study shows promise for preventing transmission of malaria by disrupting parasite growth and development.
Katherine Freed, a Stevens Institute of Technology undergraduate, won first place in the International ISPE Undergraduate Poster Contest for her project on Impedance Mammography. Her design aims to improve mammographic screening in women under 40 who are not regularly screened.
Researchers from IIBB-CSIC-IDIBAPS have discovered a method to stop and revert idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in animal models using pneumocytes transplantation. A clinical study will soon be conducted in humans to test the treatment.
A new study estimated the costs of providing comprehensive screening and diagnostic services to under- or uninsured, low-income women. The median cost of screening a woman for breast cancer was $94, while the cost per detected case was $10,566. For cervical cancer, these costs were $56 and $13,340, respectively.
Cornell researchers have discovered silica-rich deposits in Spirit's wake on Mars, providing new evidence for a once-habitable environment. These findings are significant as they suggest a 'local habitable niche' on the planet's surface, supporting microbial life-like conditions.
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has issued guidelines for treating dyspepsia, a condition affecting a fourth of the population. For patients over 50 with symptoms or alarm features, endoscopy is recommended to diagnose structural disease such as peptic ulcer disease and malignancy.
The Biophysical Society has announced the winners of its student travel award for presenting at the Joint Meeting in Long Beach, California. The recipients include researchers from top universities worldwide, who will receive a travel grant and be recognized at a reception.
Researchers at Cornell University found that vibrating mice can signal users to take breaks, but may not change behavior. Ergonomic products like undulating chairs and movable arms for monitors show promise in reducing workplace injuries and improving comfort.
The Biophysical Society has announced the recipients of its international travel grants, who will attend the Joint Meeting in Long Beach. The award aims to foster interaction between American biophysicists and scientists in financially difficult countries.
A team of scientists has discovered that older adults in the Seychelles warbler population help raise their children's grandchildren, providing an alternative route for co-operative breeding. This behavior is thought to be an effective strategy for birds prevented from breeding due to habitat loss.
A team of astronomers has figured out what alien astronomers might see when studying Earth using current and future telescopes. They found that a great deal of information about a planet can be gleaned from its brightness and color changes over time, revealing its rotation rate and weather systems.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that nearly 50% of women over 65 with early stage hormone-positive breast cancer discontinue Tamoxifen treatment before five years. Factors predicting premature discontinuation include age, medical illnesses, and lack of radiation after surgery.
Scientists have discovered a possible explanation for Mars' limestone-free climate: sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere. The greenhouse gas interfered with carbonate rock formation, but led to the creation of silicates and sulfites instead.
Most general surgeons fail to discuss breast reconstruction with breast cancer patients before surgery. Researchers found only 33% of eligible patients had this conversation. Younger, more educated patients were more likely to have the discussion, leading to greater willingness to consider mastectomy.
Cornell researchers have proven the polymer trap model theory of sugar transport in plants, which could lead to increased photosynthetic rates and carbon dioxide intake. The study uses genetic engineering to silence genes involved in sucrose polymerization, resulting in a buildup of sugars in leaves.
A Cornell research team used gene chips to study Mycobacterium tuberculosis and found that the bacteria's genes are activated after being engulfed by a macrophage. The study also compared the responses of M. tuberculosis to BCG, finding that BCG may be less capable of protecting itself once inside a macrophage.
A major new study published in Science warns that global warming and acidification are triggering widespread coral disease and stifling coral growth. The researchers argue that drastic action is needed from world leaders to protect coral reefs, which support 100 million people and generate billions of dollars in tourism.
The recently published book 'Conservation of Rare or Little-Known Species' by Island Press offers alternative approaches to conserving rare species. It synthesizes scientific information to apply to real-world problems, making it an excellent resource for land managers, policymakers, and scientists.
The Biophysical Society has announced the winners of the 2008 Minority Travel Awards, which support participation at the Annual Meeting by minority students studying biophysics. The awards are given to ten recipients from universities across the US.
Scientists have found that natural variation is a built-in mechanism to allow the nervous system to explore and maintain motor skills, even in highly practiced skills like those seen in top athletes and musicians. This discovery has implications for rehabilitating patients following strokes and other damage to the nervous system.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new scoring system that identifies Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) patients with low-risk disease but poor prospects of survival. The system, applied to 856 patients treated between 1976 and 2005, found that older age, low platelet counts, anemia, and p...
A study of 136 abandoned Romanian children found that those placed in foster care had significantly better intellectual development than those remaining in institutions. The research suggests that early intervention can help prevent long-term developmental problems.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have produced the first 3D structural images of a DNA-bound Type II topoisomerase, a prime target for antibacterial and anticancer drugs. The study reveals that topo II employs a 'two-gate' mechanism to carry out its tasks, controlling the passage of DNA segments through the enzyme.
Researchers genetically engineered mosquitoes to release a sea-cucumber protein that impairs malaria parasite development, potentially preventing transmission. The study shows promising results but still requires further work before being effective in real-world scenarios.
Research suggests that predation pressures are key to maintaining sociality in bees, rather than biological complexity. The study of a rare African species with totipotent social ancestors reveals that ecological pressures prevail over evolutionary changes.
A study found that nearly one out of 10 registered nurses reported at least one needlestick injury in the previous year, with many cases going unreported. The researchers emphasize the need for targeted risk reduction strategies tailored to non-hospital settings.
Researchers at University of California, Santa Barbara study ocean floor seeps and find that only 1% of dissolved methane escapes into the air, with most transported below surface where it's oxidized by microbial activity. This discovery offers a potential solution to mitigating climate change.
Researchers at SLU School of Medicine have found a way to prevent or reverse muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis by blocking the immune response that causes it. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for related autoimmune disorders like arthritis and lupus.
UCI researchers have found a novel method to sort stem cells based on their electric charges, which could expedite therapies for conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The technique uses electrodes on a tiny glass slide and has the potential to be more cost-effective and quicker than current methods.
Researchers found that anastomotic leakage rates were similar between patients with and without preoperative mechanical bowel preparation. However, patients who had mechanical bowel prep had fewer abscesses after anastomotic leakage. The authors advise abandoning mechanical bowel preparation due to potential drawbacks.
Researchers have discovered that the turbulence in electrical waves underlying ventricular fibrillation can be scaled using a universal formula related to body mass, and that genetic variations in mice may also apply to humans. This breakthrough paves the way for better translation of VF research results from animals to humans.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have identified a Duffy binding protein-based vaccine that could provide protection against P. vivax malaria. The vaccine targets the specific interaction between the parasite and human red blood cells, offering a promising path toward eliminating the disease.
Researchers identify signature of spin excitations as potential candidate for the 'glue' that binds electrons during high-temperature superconductivity. This discovery moves the field forward toward unlocking the physical mysteries behind a promising phenomenon.
Researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center used advanced brain-scanning technologies to detect brain areas associated with poor impulse control and negative emotion in patients with borderline personality disorder. The study found that discrete parts of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex were relatively l...
Children exposed to terrorist attacks show elevated symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and general anxiety disorder. Media coverage of terrorism can result in substantial distress in exposed youth.
A team of UC Riverside physicists, led by Gail Hanson, contributed to the installation of the CMS Silicon Strip Tracking Detector at CERN. The detector will help discover new physics and improve our understanding of the universe.
The GITEWS consortium has finalized key components, including automatic data processing software SeisComP3 and underwater communication systems. The ocean modeling calculations are also complete, enabling the system to be set into operation at the end of 2008.
The Suzaku X-ray observatory has provided new insights into cosmic powerhouses, identifying pulsar wind nebulae as the source of high-energy gamma rays. The observations also suggest that these objects are accelerating mostly protons, leading to a better understanding of the origin of cosmic rays.
Researchers discovered that insect larvae can detect and respond to non-pathogenic bacteria in their diet, triggering an immune response. This reaction affects pupation time and mass, highlighting the trade-offs of a balanced diet for insects.
The Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults prioritizes nutrient-dense foods, including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, with a focus on fiber-rich options. Regular physical activity is also emphasized to reduce chronic disease risk and improve quality of life.