A study published in PLOS ONE found that mice with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have a compromised blood-spinal cord barrier, leading to vascular leakage and potential mechanisms for motor neuron damage. Researchers hope this finding will lead to the development of new treatments targeting the barrier's repair.
Scientists have discovered a giant fossilized claw from an ancient sea scorpion, indicating that the creature was approximately 2.5 meters long and much taller than the average man. This finding suggests that spiders, insects, crabs, and similar creatures were larger in the past than previously thought.
Researchers found that specific brain regions show similar patterns of activity when viewing ambiguous images, implying these regions contribute to conscious experience. The study's findings may help understand disorders like dyslexia by providing insight into the functional role of motion-perception areas in the brain.
Researchers developed new methods for estimating mortality fractions using vital registration data in Mexico, and a validation strategy for verbal autopsy data combining previous methods in China. These advancements improve health planning and prioritization in low-resource settings.
A recent study found that most college students wish they were thinner, with 90% of women wanting to be within the normal-weight range. However, many overweight individuals also desire a body weight that would keep them overweight, suggesting a disconnect between idealized and healthy weights.
Researchers characterize conductive and field emission properties of single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, finding structure-dependent conductivity and emission. The findings bring next-gen flat panel TVs and monitors closer to reality.
A survey of large US employers found that few use physician quality data to improve health benefit quality, despite efforts to promote value-based purchasing. Employers reported skepticism about the effectiveness of value-based purchasing strategies.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory found that the surface of manganite materials has a more disordered orbital order than their bulk counterparts. This 'surface orbital roughness' affects electron transfer and provides fundamental information for future research and development.
The Peking-Yale Joint Center will receive continued and expanded support from Monsanto, enabling graduate student exchanges and plant biology-related programs. The center aims to improve crop production by advancing understanding of plant biology.
A Cornell University study found that trauma-exposed individuals without PTSD or depression exhibit persistent differences in stress response, including lower cortisol levels and prolonged negative moods.
A new study led by Duke Prostate Center researchers found that obese men may be missing cancers because the blood marker used to detect prostate cancer can be diluted in their bodies. The concentration of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood is lower in obese men due to increased blood volume.
Researchers at UW-Madison have successfully reprogrammed skin cells into embryonic stem cells, potentially resolving the ethical controversy surrounding human embryonic stem cell research. This breakthrough could lead to a shift in government funding policies and pave the way for non-embryonic stem cell research.
Researchers found that bortezomib selectively inhibits melanoma tumor cells by overactivating the cancer-promoting gene c-MYC, leading to increased production of NOXA and promoting cell death. The study suggests a novel treatment strategy for various types of cancer.
Researchers at MIT are developing novel thermoelectric materials that can control temperatures efficiently, leading to substantial energy savings. These materials have already resulted in a consumer product - a simple cooling system for car seats in hot climates.
A new study led by UK scientists aims to reduce China's CO2 emissions from coal use, which are set to double by 2030. The 'Near Zero Emissions Coal' project uses carbon capture and storage technology to achieve up to a 90% reduction in emissions.
Global health experts Laurie Garrett and David Fidler propose stockpiling highly specific influenza vaccines and antiviral medicines in Hong Kong to overcome the virus sharing impasse. The proposal aims to benefit developing countries by ensuring they have access to vaccine, reducing the risk of pandemic influenza.
Researchers at Cornell University have identified over 300 new human genes using a comparative approach to the genome. These newly discovered genes are involved in various biological processes, including motor activity, cell adhesion, and central nervous system development.
Researchers used fMRI scans to study brain activity in subjects with no art criticism knowledge, contrasting Classical and Renaissance sculptures with altered proportions. The presence of the 'golden ratio' activated specific neurons, while beautiful vs. ugly sculptures selectively activated the amygdala and insula, respectively.
A study by Stanford Medicine found that rapid response teams significantly reduce death rates and cardiopulmonary arrest rates in pediatric settings. The teams, composed of existing staff members, assess a child's condition within five minutes after a summons and provide supportive care to prevent deterioration.
A study found that adding a rapid response medical team to a children's hospital led to an 18% decrease in death rates and a 70% decline in cardiac and respiratory arrests. The intervention resulted in the estimated saving of 33 lives.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that an immune system gene can enhance a vaccine used to study HIV in macaque monkeys, providing greater protection against simian HIV. The study found that the addition of Interleukin-15 boosts the effects of a vaccine derived from the DNA of simian HIV.
Physicians face challenges in managing and identifying obesity, with most lacking skills and knowledge to address the issue. A top researcher highlights the importance of training family physicians to provide optimal care to obese patients.
Researchers are developing three-dimensional photonic crystals that can reflect single colors of light, enabling compact optical semiconductor components. This technology has the potential to replace electrical signals with light-based transmission, leading to faster and more efficient data transfer in telecommunications.
Researchers at Tohoku University found that monitoring total entrance skin radiation dose can accurately determine maximum radiation skin dose during coronary angioplasty. This allows radiologists to avoid skin injury to patients, a major disadvantage of the procedure.
A new Cornell University study found that even small amounts of lead in children's blood are associated with reduced IQ scores. The study examined the effect of lead exposure on cognitive function in children with BLLs below the CDC standard, and found an adverse effect on nonverbal IQ scores.
Post-treatment PET scans can accurately detect cervical cancer tumor response and predict long-term survival. The scans help identify patients whose tumors have not responded to therapy, allowing for alternative treatment options.
Researchers found chemical traces of caffeine and theobromine in ancient pottery shards dating back to 1100 B.C., indicating that cacao was consumed as a fermented drink before being used for chocolate. The discovery offers new insights into the earliest consumption of cacao, challenging previous assumptions about its history.
The Carnegie Mellon team's winning letter addressed the presidential hopefuls' positions on environmental policies, calling for strong leadership to drive a sustainable energy solution. The students won a $10,000 scholarship and will attend the Energy Efficiency Forum.
A holistic approach is needed to cope with freshwater needs, primarily through seawater desalination and brackish water desalination. Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and wave power can be used in conjunction to generate electricity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The study found that using a pedometer with a daily step goal significantly increases physical activity by 26.9% and decreases body mass index and systolic blood pressure. Participants also experienced significant reductions in weight and improved health outcomes.
Research found that higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with greater plasma volume, leading to lower PSA concentrations among obese men. The study of over 13,000 men with prostate cancer suggests a possible explanation for the observed association between obesity and decreased PSA levels.
A study by Dartmouth researchers found that rural patients are diagnosed at an earlier stage for colorectal and lung cancer compared to urban patients. The study controlled for various factors, including age, race, and education level. Rural-urban differences in cancer presentation may inform targeted screening efforts.
A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers successfully reprogrammed human skin cells into cells indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough could revolutionize the field of stem cell biology and provide a new source of stem cells for medical research.
SAGE and Hindawi will launch a suite of Gold Open Access journals, strengthening their portfolios in science, technology, and medicine. The partnership aims to widen access to important scholarly research.
Researchers found that brief mock trauma drills and refreshers significantly improved ER staff's performance on crucial tasks for child resuscitation. Improvements were seen in weight estimation, head examinations, IV placement, antiseizure medication ordering, and preparation for transport.
The IU School of Medicine will augment the $60 million grant with an additional $6 million to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. The goal is to expand care to 150,000 Kenyans by 2012.
The NIH grants will support the study of cytochrome c biogenesis pathways in bacteria and humans. The long-term goal is to engineer electrical nanowires into E.coli to make an efficient biofuel cell. Researchers will also develop a screen to find inhibitors of the pathways, which could be potential antimicrobial agents.
The US National Science Foundation has honored 11 mentors of scientists and engineers for their work in promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. These individuals have demonstrated outstanding mentoring and guidance to underrepresented students, helping to increase representation in the sciences.
Researchers at Ohio State University have found that stress hormone norepinephrine promotes tumor cell growth and metastasis in certain types of blood cancer. The study suggests that blocking norepinephrine receptors may slow disease progression and improve treatment outcomes.
American soldiers with facial fractures can now undergo surgery to repair their injuries in the war zone, avoiding evacuation. The procedure has shown no complications or infections, leading to improved patient outcomes.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal highlights divergent capacity and consent laws across provinces, impacting patient care and decision-making. The authors call for a national debate on the issues, advocating for explicit national standards that include family and caregiver involvement.
The American Academy of Neurology recommends a routine electroencephalogram (EEG) and brain scans, such as CT or MRI, for adults experiencing their first unprovoked seizure. These diagnostic tools can help identify brain abnormalities that caused the seizure and predict seizure recurrence in approximately one in four patients.
A study found that beverage calorie intake nearly doubled from 1965 to 2002, providing an average of 21% of daily energy intake among US adults. This increase contributes significantly to the obesity crisis, with additional calories coming from sugary drinks, alcohol, and other high-calorie beverages.
Researchers found significant developmental variation in vulva development across nearly 50 species of roundworms. The results show that evolutionary changes are unidirectional and orderly, contradicting the idea of random evolution.
A team led by Mary Lou Guerinot aims to create rice varieties with enhanced iron and zinc levels, addressing global nutritional deficiencies. The project will analyze over 1,800 rice varieties and identify genes responsible for nutrient uptake and storage.
A new study by UC Irvine psychologists reveals that viewing doctored photos can affect people's memories and attitudes toward public events. Participants recalled events as being bigger and more violent than they really were when presented with digitally altered images.
Physicians spend approximately 8 hours a week providing unreimbursed care outside of office visits, which can include talking with families or ordering medicines. Lumbar supports have been shown to reduce low back pain in healthcare workers with existing back pain, but not work absences.
Researchers found that zebrafish embryos regulate levels of retinoic acid within a certain range, using an enzyme called Cyp26a1 to degrade excess acid and proteins like fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) to slow down degradation when levels drop too low. This regulation helps maintain a robust gradient of retinoic acid.
Researchers found that narrow band imaging (NBI) colonoscopy can identify flat dysplastic lesions in ulcerative colitis patients, with a higher positive rate in the tortuous pattern. The study suggests NBI as an alternative to magnifying chromoscopy for cancer surveillance in these patients.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with migraines have a thicker somatosensory cortex area, which processes pain and sensory information. This could lead to increased sensitivity to stimulation and contribute to other pain disorders.
A 12-year study found a significant increase in differentiated thyroid cancer cases, with small subclinical tumours accounting for the rise. Advances in medical imaging are thought to be responsible for the increased detection rate, rather than a change in disease patterns.
Anthony Azenabor's research reveals that Chlamydia bacteria can manipulate macrophage cell walls, causing atherosclerosis and disrupting hormone production in the placenta. This discovery could lead to new treatments for both heart disease and infertility by blocking cholesterol signaling.
The Commonwealth Fund survey finds widespread support for public reporting of healthcare quality and prices, with 86% supporting public reporting of drug prices and 82% supporting medical loss ratios. Improved transparency is seen as essential to reducing healthcare costs, but its impact on cost reduction varies.
Papers published in this issue highlight the value of multidisciplinary collaboration, revealing treatments that spare patients' eyes during cancer treatment and develop new techniques to increase orbital volume. These advancements demonstrate enormous opportunities for knowledge advancement through specialty collaboration.
The study found that older workers generally reported low levels of work-related stress, with 47% agreeing that time pressures are a source of job stress. Workers who experience less job stress are more satisfied with their life and are overall in better physical health compared to those who report higher levels of job stressors.
Recent research suggests that decades of progress in reducing young adult coronary disease risk appears to be stalling. The worrisome plateau is likely caused by poor health habits such as smoking, lack of physical activity, and excessive weight gain.
Researchers at Penn State are using genetically modified mushrooms to produce vaccines and other biological drugs in record time. They aim to demonstrate the ability to produce three million doses of a drug within 12 weeks.
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) received the 2006 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. The award recognizes ESA's Strategies for Ecology Education, Development and Sustainability (SEEDS) program, which has increased diversity among its members and provided mentoring opportunities ...
A new study by the University of Exeter found that attractiveness is hereditary in fruitflies, passed on from father to son. Attractive males are more likely to mate quickly and produce successful offspring, benefiting females who can pass these traits to their sons.
The collaboration aims to separate skin layers, decontaminate tissue, and speed up tissue cleaning using the Raydiance USP laser platform. This project has the potential to increase the supply of dermal tissues, resulting in better outcomes for more patients.