A new study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that breastfeeding mothers who consume insufficient Calcium may be at risk for increased bone loss around their teeth and gums. The research emphasizes the importance of a high-Calcium diet during lactation to promote healthy periodontal tissues.
Astronomer Nathan Smith proposes a new theory for the origin of the 1987 supernova's triple-ring nebula, suggesting that unstable blue supergiant stars, called luminous blue variables, may be responsible. Three nearby stars with similar nebulae have been discovered, contradicting the prevailing merger and red-to-blue transition explana...
A University of Georgia study found that moderate doses of caffeine reduce post-workout muscle pain by up to 48 percent in women. Caffeine works by blocking the body's receptors for adenosine, a chemical released in response to inflammation.
A new study published in PNAS shows that combining anti-angiogenic agents can increase the effectiveness of treatment for tumors and retinopathy. The therapy, which targets multiple angiogenic pathways, resulted in complete inhibition of pathological neovascularization in over 60% of treated eyes.
The January special issue of BSSA focuses on the 2004 Sumatra earthquake, which is the best recorded large earthquake in history. The study reveals that great earthquakes can occur in various types of subduction zones, not just fast and young ones.
A new study from USC reveals that better-educated older adults experience greater declines in word memory compared to their less educated peers. Researchers found that while education is consistently linked to improved cognitive performance, it may not compensate for normal age-related memory loss after 70.
The researchers found that the dust grains have a porosity of over 90%, similar to powder snow, allowing them to measure the agglomeration process of interstellar grains. This discovery provides valuable insights into the early days of our planetary system and how dust grains grow from interstellar sizes to macroscopic objects.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have observed a superbubble forming in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a galactic neighbor of the Milky Way. The study reveals that multiple massive stars are blowing bubbles and overlapping supernova remnants, which may eventually merge into one enormous cavity.
Two Mayo Clinic studies found no strong evidence supporting testosterone's safety from cardiovascular harm and inconsistent results regarding its impact on sexual dysfunction. The research highlights the need for large-scale trials to inform clinicians' decisions about prescribing testosterone.
The US healthcare system's increasing reliance on medical technology has driven cost growth, according to Rita Redberg. She proposes an evidence-based review process to balance innovation with value and improve patient care outcomes.
A University of Michigan study has found that forest fires release more mercury into the atmosphere than previously recognized. The research, led by Doctoral student Abir Biswas, estimates that wildfires and prescribed burns account for approximately 25 percent of human-generated mercury emissions in the United States.
A University of Missouri-Columbia researcher is using a microchip implant to help blind animals and potentially humans with retinal blindness. The preliminary results are promising, and the technology may also benefit pets with similar diseases.
A Rutgers-Camden research team, led by Heike Bücking, aims to develop a better understanding of the nutrient exchange processes between fungi and agricultural environments. The project seeks to promote the use of mycorrhizal fungi as biofertilizers to reduce fertilizer pollution and improve agricultural sustainability.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a new high-energy state in DNA that helps dissipate UV energy. The 'dark state', which can last for 10-150 picoseconds, is found in single nucleotides and dissolves energy through 10-50% of the time. This discovery may provide insights into DNA damage and repair mechanisms.
A research team has identified a protective gene variant that may help prevent severe kidney failure in people with diabetes. The discovery could lead to novel treatment approaches for susceptible individuals, as well as a new marker for identifying those at increased risk of future kidney disease.
A study found specific genetic alterations in the stroma of head and neck skin cancers are linked to smoking and tumor aggressiveness. The research identified key genomic regions that may harbor genes related to clinical outcome and targeted therapy.
Researchers found that 201 patients (23%) lived five years after surgery, with at least half being 65 years old or older. Of those survivors, 65% lived another five years, nearly matching the general population's survival rate.
Researchers found that different regions require varying amounts of cold to delay flowering, with some requiring as little as four weeks of cold. This discovery could help breed crops that can thrive in changing climates.
A study of the retinoblastoma gene found that it is essential for placenta development and may also contribute to miscarriages. The research used transgenic mice to disable the gene and observe its effects on embryonic development.
Researchers found that controlling sexual compatibility in self-incompatible plants like the California wild radish can help minimize their reproductive success and prevent establishment. Larger population sizes and genetic diversity also boosted reproduction, highlighting potential strategies to combat invasive plant spread.
A blood test for NT-proBNP accurately predicts the risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and death in patients with known cardiovascular disease. Higher levels of NT-proBNP are associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular events or death.
A blood test for NT-proBNP could aid in risk stratification of high-risk patients with CHD, helping guide preventive therapies. The study found that higher NT-proBNP levels were associated with increased cardiovascular event rates and mortality.
By analyzing lobster fishing operations in American and Canadian waters, researchers found that reducing fishing efforts can substantially decrease entanglement risks. Implementing a 6-month lobster fishing season and decreasing trap numbers could greatly benefit the critically endangered species while providing benefits to fishermen.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital report a case of a seemingly healthy man who suffered from unexplained chest pain after a silent heart attack. The team discovered a subepicardial aneurysm, a rarely diagnosed complication that can be fatal if left untreated.
Recent analysis found that nutrition studies funded solely by industry were four to eight times more likely to have favorable conclusions than those with no industry funding. The study's findings suggest a pervasive bias in the field, which may have significant implications for public health and dietary guidelines.
Drezek's research focuses on developing high-resolution in situ imaging of the molecular hallmarks of breast cancer, enabling doctors to detect biomarkers without tissue removal. The grant will be used to develop microendoscope and needle-compatible fiber optic systems for various diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
A new study found congenital heart disease prevalence increased by 85% in adults and 22% in children between 1985 and 2000. Most heart defects cause blood to flow through the heart in an abnormal way or obstruct blood flow, leading to a major public health problem.
Astronomers found a trio of supermassive black holes in the Virgo constellation, 10.5 billion light-years away, with same redshift and distinct properties, raising questions about galaxy interactions and fundamental relationships between galaxies and black holes.
Researchers found that gas giants either form within the first 10 million years of a sun-like star's life or not at all. The study suggests that gas giant planets must form early in a star's history, offering insights into planet formation.
A study found that brain hemorrhages associated with warfarin increased by over tenfold in people over age 80, while the rate for all other populations quadrupled between 1988 and 1999. The increase was largely due to greater use of the drug, which is prescribed to prevent blood clots.
A new study suggests that skipping breakfast and consuming frequent fast food lead to an increased risk of weight gain in adolescents as they enter adulthood. Researchers analyzed data from over 20,000 teens and found a significant increase in both behaviors and associated weight gain during this critical period.
A UCL study found that relying on instincts rather than higher-level cognitive processes can lead to more accurate decisions. Participants who were given no time to think performed better, with accuracy rates of 95% compared to 70% when given over a second to scrutinize the image.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center developed a new approach using an inexpensive tracing agent and ultrasound to monitor the effectiveness of cancer therapies. This non-invasive method showed significant results in controlling tumor growth and predicting treatment outcomes, offering hope for more effective treatment options.
Researchers discovered a genetic variation that enables adults to express higher levels of fetal hemoglobin, reducing their risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study also found that beta amyloid peptide has an affinity for adult hemoglobin, which may enhance its ability to wreak havoc in the brain.
Astronomers have discovered a population of small newborn stars in N90, a fascinating star-forming region located in the Small Magellanic Cloud. The high-energy radiation from these young stars is eroding the surrounding nebula, revealing the early stages of star formation processes.
Researchers developed an efficient synthetic route to produce cryptophycin 1, a promising anti-cancer drug from blue-green algae, and identified a key enzyme that introduces the epoxide group in the desired beta configuration.
A consortium of seven institutions led by the University of Helsinki will receive €2 million funding from the European Commission to develop a new therapy for cancer. The Apotherapy project aims to activate the protein CD40, which can stop tumor growth and induce the body's natural defenses against cancer cells.
A University of Minnesota study found that families who frequently eat fast food for dinner have poorer access to healthy foods, drink more soda, and are at a higher risk of obesity. Limiting fast food intake at home can help improve eating habits and overall health.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have used the antiviral drug valganciclovir to treat patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, with significant improvement in 21 out of 25 cases. The therapy has shown promise in reducing inflammation and improving symptoms.
A recent study published in Archives of Ophthalmology found that genetic predisposition and exposure to modifiable risk factors significantly multiply the risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Individuals with two mutated alleles of genes CFH and LOC387715 were 50 times more likely to develop AMD.
Researchers discovered that quick-growing plants like weeds can adapt in just a few years to climate change, whereas slower-growing plants struggle. This finding suggests that annual plants may thrive better in warmer conditions, leading to potential changes in Earth's plant life.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that home in on tumors by mimicking the clotting action of platelets, blocking up to 20% of tumor blood vessels. This system enables self-amplification of tumor targeting, leading to enhanced imaging and therapeutic delivery.
A survey of 129 men with testicular cancer found that 24% chose to bank their sperm before treatment, despite high costs and relatively low usage. Single men were twice as likely to bank their sperm, and those who did had better fertility outcomes after treatment.
The CDF experiment has measured the W boson mass with unprecedented precision, yielding a value of 80,413 +/- 48 MeV/c2. This result suggests that the Higgs boson could be lighter than previously predicted, making its observation more likely at experiments like Tevatron.
Physicists at Boston College have successfully transmitted visible light through a cable hundreds of times smaller than a human hair, defying a key principle in optics. This breakthrough could lead to the development of high-efficiency solar cells and microscopic light-based switching devices.
Cosmic superstrings, predicted by string theory, are thought to be ultra-thin tubes of energy left from the universe's beginning. They can emit gravitational waves as they decay, adding a new soundtrack to astronomy's silent movie.
A survey found that more than two-thirds of informal caregivers for disabled older adults at the end of life reported feeling rewarded, despite providing over 40 hours of care per week. These caregivers often experienced emotional, physical, and financial strains but also derived benefits from the person they were caring for.
A study found that individuals with higher folate levels through diet and supplements had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The research, published in Archives of Neurology, suggests that elevated homocysteine levels may increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that quasars with large black holes are more variable than those with low black hole masses, changing brightness by up to 15% over a year. The study's findings provide new insights into the physics behind quasar variability and could help astronomers decipher underlying mechanisms.
A new study has found that excess weight and adult weight gain increase the risk of death from prostate cancer. Higher BMI and weight gain since age 18 were associated with a significantly higher risk of fatal outcomes.
Computer simulations show that supermassive black hole (SMBH) triple interactions occur frequently, even in the present-day universe. These violent encounters can lead to SMBH binaries being kicked out of galaxies and wandering through space.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created new hybrid structures combining the strengths of carbon nanotubes and metal nanowires. This technique allows precise attachment of carbon nanotubes to individual metal pins, offering a practical solution for using carbon nanotubes in computer chips.
A study found that industry funding can lead to biased research outcomes, with favorable results more likely for funded products. This bias may undermine the integrity of nutrition research, affecting public health decisions.
A USC study in Nature Genetics finds genes silenced by Polycomb proteins are more likely to be methylated in cancers, supporting a stem cell origin of cancer. The research also shows that epigenetic alterations precede genetic events in cancer development.
A study of over 100,000 acute heart failure patient episodes found that obese patients had a substantially lower in-hospital mortality rate compared to lean patients. The findings suggest that nutritional/metabolic support may have therapeutic benefit in specific patients hospitalized with heart failure.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have created genetically modified skin cells that produce higher levels of human beta defensin 4 (HBD4), which killed more bacteria than normal skin cells. These cells may help combat infections in burn patients and reduce dependence on topical antibiotics.
The Commonwealth Fund Health Care Opinion Leaders survey found that expanding coverage for the uninsured (88%) and moderating rising healthcare costs (81%) are top priorities. Experts also suggest increasing recommended care levels and reducing inappropriate services to achieve a high-performance healthcare system.
Researchers found that adding milk to tea completely blunts its cardiovascular benefits, which can lead to a higher risk of heart disease. The study suggests that tea drinkers who add milk regularly should consider omitting it some of the time to maximize their health benefits.
A study of 1032 women with chronic headaches found that those with migraines were four times more likely to report major depression symptoms. Chronic headache sufferers also experienced high levels of pain-related symptoms, including low energy and trouble sleeping.
Researchers found that higher levels of hopefulness among pediatric nurses correlate with greater comfort and competence in providing palliative care. Nurses who received more palliative care education reported being more hopeful and confident in their abilities.